Acupuncture

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Acupuncture can be described as the procedure in which needles are inserted into various points throughout the body for therapeutic or pain relief purposes. These points are called acupuncture points and can usually be felt as small depressions on the body surface.

Acupuncture points actually have small nerve endings. When the small nerve endings are followed from the skin, the pathway eventually enters the spinal cord, and then travels to the organ or structure with which it is associated. Acupuncture points are often far away from the area being treated, but don’t worry, they do have nerve connections.

There are chemicals in the body that regulate the pain response – some of these chemicals are called endorphins. Endorphins are released by the brain to help regulate pain by making the body less sensitive. Stimulating acupuncture points with acupuncture needles can help with the release of endorphins and result in a decrease in painful responses within the targeted area of the nervous system. The nervous system in the body also influences how well organs are functioning, how well an animal feels, and how the immune system responds to problems.

Despite the curative properties of acupuncture, it is not a miracle cure for disease. It is an alternative to the Western medical approach and can offer another treatment option. It can be used to help with: arthritis, surgical pain, anesthesia, organ dysfunction, allergies, as well as many other problems. Studies have been done across the world showing acupuncture leads to improved results with liver, pancreatic, kidney, and gastrointestinal disease.