What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the most researched modality for pain in the world. Acupuncture has been the focus of over 23,000 studies. It is one of the oldest forms of medicine that originated over 2,500 years ago and was developed by the Emperor’s royal doctors in China. It is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is recognized by the National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization as an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions.
What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is not “energy medicine.” It does not work by the flow of energy (Qi) through invisible pathways (Meridians). This concept was founded on an erroneous translation by Solei de’ Morant, a french diplomat that studied Chinese culture in the early 1900’s.
Acupuncture in the treatment of pain works by relaxing muscle spasms and muscle tension, improving blood circulation to the affected area, and increasing the body’s own anti-inflammatory system and opioid response from the mid brain. These mechanisms help the patient experience less pain and, in many cases, give a patient lasting relief to complete elimination of their chronic pain condition after a course of therapy. Acupuncture has the ability to totally RESOLVE chronic conditions in a short period of time. Acupuncture establishes neurologic homeostasis.
Does acupuncture actually do?
Blood labs illuminate some mechanisms of action of acupuncture.
- releases local and global anti-inflammatories
- release of beta-endorphins, an endogenous opioid neuropeptide, which are 200x stronger than morphine
- repair of damaged tissue and the creation of new healthy tissue
- modulate the neuroendocrine (nerve and hormone) system
- vasodilate (increase blood flow) to the injured body part
- reduce swelling in the nerve endings that send pain signals to the brain
More questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions
While its mechanism is not clearly understood, the best explanation goes like this. Very fine and sterile filiform needles are inserted into specific locations on the body that stimulate the nervous system and communicate with the brain. This causes the release of enkephalins (an endogenous opioid similar to oxycontin) from the mid-brain. These enkephalins attach to opioid receptor cites along the spinal column and in the local area of pain.
As a result of this opioid release, a patient’s pain level will dramatically decrease, sometimes within seconds. Once this pain reduction occurs, the body can now dilate blood vessels in the affected area bringing in oxygenated blood and nutrients, and flushing away any swelling and inflammatory debris. This aids the body in HEALING the affected area. Acupuncture RESTORES the function of the mid brain’s and nervous system pain regulating mechanism giving the patient RESOLUTION to their chronic condition.
What does acupuncture treat?
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Knee Pain
- Joint Pain
- Hip Pain
- Foot Pain
- Pelvic Pain
- Hand Pain
- Arm Pain
- Leg Pain
- Chronic Pain
How quickly does acupuncture work?
Most patients experience acupuncture as a relaxing procedure that is relatively painless. Some patients enjoy a nap during their 30 min treatment.
The number of visits necessary to effectively treat a given condition varies from person to person. An initial 3 visits is given over a 1 to 2 week period and will give the practitioner an estimate on the overall length of treatment necessary to resolve the main complaint.
