Acupuncture is part of a larger system of health care called Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes herbs, diet therapy, exercise and meditation. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, disposable and sterile needles into specific points of the body. These points lie along lines called meridians, which represent channels that allow energy, blood and other fluids to flow throughout the body.

How does acupuncture work?
The Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of acupuncture is that illness, susceptibility to disease and pain occurs when there is a blockage or imbalance in the body’s normal flow of blood, fluid or energy (known as Qi). By inserting needles into specific points, normal flow will occur, allowing the body to heal and to remain healthy.

From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture influences neural, biomechanical and biochemical states. From a neural standpoint, acupuncture causes changes in the concentrations of chemicals within the neurons resulting in changes to neural signaling. Also, acupuncture can increase the release of neuropeptides including beta-endorphins and encephalin. These effects can cause pain relief in those who suffer from both acute and chronic pain. From a biomechanical perspective, acupuncture can alter blood flow and muscle tone. It does so by relaxing tense and contracted muscles, which relieves pain and muscle spasms.