Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body (on Pathways called meridians) with extremely thin needles to alleviate pain or help other various health conditions. According to Chinese Medical Theory, health is a balanced flow of energy called Chi in the body and that pain and other health challenges are due to stagnation or imbalances of qi .
There are many hypotheses in allopathic medicine as to how acupuncture works. One is that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release hormones such as endorphins. Another is that it also reduces inflammation and increases blood flow and helps the body to secrete different chemicals that improve health.
The World Health Organization recognizes over a hundred different conditions that acupuncture can help, such as pain allergies digestive problems fertility issues headaches depression and skin conditions among many others the way my first acupuncturist explained it to me is that acupuncture enhances your body’s natural healing ability – kind of like watering the garden.
