Acupuncture and the Manner in Which it Heals

A diseased state can occur in the body as the result of various causes, such as trauma, toxic substances, or dysfunction from the body's internal mechanisms. Our mind-set can affect the physical aspects of our body when there's emotional turmoil. Physical and emotional problems can affect the external part of the body like skin and muscle tissue. Specific points or areas can become painful, tense, or sensitive. Diagnosis and treatment was created by traditional Chinese medicine having a system of therapy. By manipulating those outer layers of tissue, Acupuncture and other therapies can help internal conditions. Oriental medicine have been using Acupuncture for centuries. Modern medicine is just starting to explain its effectiveness.

A Modern Medicine Point of view

Here are a few known mechanisms known by modern allopathic medicine. There continue to be other possibilities suggested from ongoing investigation.

Biochemical Defense Mechanism: A site of injury at the cellular level is formed when the prick of the acupuncture needle is used. The body s response to injury is a release of chemicals important to cellular repair. The tissue and cellular biochemical defenses are initiated through the acupuncture needle. This helps to reduce local inflammation and relieve pain.

Endorphins: A pain reducing chemical released by the body. Also known as 'anti-stress' chemicals which were released by Acupuncture.

Gate Control Theory: The spinal cord transmits the peripheral pain location into the brain. There is a mechanism (or "gate") in the spinal cord, which stops pain messages from getting to the brain. Acupuncture can close this 'gate' with the manual manipulation of a needle lessening the sensation of pain. Endorphins also act on these gates and can block pain.

Electrical Conduction:
It have been noted that acupuncture points have dissimilar electrical potentials than other areas of a body. It's not exactly known why these different electric points exist. Research has suggested that acupuncture affects electrical conduction within the body. Further research on this matter continues to be ongoing.

Autonomic Nervous System: Coordinating and the conduction of the body's involuntary functions are control by this arrangement. The conserving and healing function of this autonomic nervous system is helped by acupuncture and tuina. They help to turn it on which overrides the fight of flight response. This helps reduce the damage on a body and mind.

Trigger Point Theory: Through clinical research, western physicians have discovered specific points of tension in the body that, when released, are particularly effective in the alleviation of musculo-skeletal pain. These points on tension almost match perfectly with all the acupuncture points in Chinese remedies. Acupuncturists in Colorado can also do injection therapy (of vitamins, saline or herbal solutions) that is an especially effectual method for treating Trigger Points.

An Oriental Medicine Point of view

Oriental medicine see its effectiveness as an energetic model instead of the biochemical model of Western treatments. Ancient oriental physicians proposed that our energetic life-force, called Qi ("Chee") in Chinese, circulates along channels or meridians in the body and links all of a body's parts and functions. Qi maintains and nurtures our physical body as well as our mind. It keeps the blood circulating, warms the body and fights illness. When healthy, Qi flows easily but if it's blocked, or too much or too little, symptoms and sickness follow.

The aim of acupuncture is to fix the flow through the channels by using needles or other techniques. In so doing, changing the function of the body is achieved. Qi problems show up before physical problems. Acupuncture and tuina act like a preventative fixing the energy problem before an illness gets worse. The reversal of physical change can be accomplished by a change in the flow of Qi.