Acupuncture may seem scary, but did you know that it is actually thousands of years old? Originating in China, it has only recently gained popularity and reputation here in the West, and the United States in specifically. In fact, only recently have studies begun confirming the positive medical benefits practitioners of acupuncture have been talking about for years. In fact, science has only just begun studying the practice in earnest. Whether you’re new to acupuncture or a veteran, there are probably things you could learn about it. To that end, we have created a quick overview here about how acupuncture works! We’ll go through both the eastern and western views, as well.
Through The Lens Of The East:
To understand how those in the East view acupuncture, you need to understand a little bit about their historical beliefs. Traditionally, Chinese medicine recognizes an energy force, called qi (pronounced “ki”) that flows through all living things. This qi flows through what are called “meridians”, which congregate in “acupressure points”. By manipulating these points with a needle, acupuncturists can control how qi flows through your body, with physical & medical benefits following.
Through The Lens Of The West:
Western medicine has a largely different take on the process of acupuncture, much more rooted in its history of scientific inquiry. Because acupuncture is still being studied, a few theories as to its exact mechanism of action have popped up.
- One of these theories involves something called “neuro hormonal pathways” in the Central Nervous System, which connects and communicatesbetween all the nerves in your body. It basically says that the needle used in acupuncture stimulates a nerve, which sends signals to the brain, that in turn sends chemicals back to the nerve to increase euphoria and block pain.
- Another of these theories has to do with the inflammation response. It states that the process of sticking the needle in reduces the number of inflammatory “proteins”, which in turn reduces the inflammation and pain that they create.
Types Of Acupuncture:
Not only is acupuncture in general viewed in wildly different ways across the world, but there are also different types! Each type has its own differences in tenets and application. Listed, the main types include Japanese Acupuncture, Five Elements Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Electro Acupuncture and Korean Hand Acupuncture. Some of these only focus on one part of the body, and others take different, more general and holistic approaches.
There are a host of reasons for why acupuncture may benefit you. Here at the Newport Acupuncture Center, we have years of experience in the field. If you have any questions at all regarding acupuncture, please don’t hesitate to field them to one of our knowledgeable and friendly representatives. Feel free to give us a call or stop by today to take advantage of our acupuncture services, or any of our other services. These include reflexology, gua sha, heat therapy, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, Qigong, electro acupuncture and more! We look forward to seeing you soon!