How does Acupuncture work?

When fine needles are inserted during acupuncture treatment, the fine needles stimulate blood flow and hormone secretion. A number of hormones including endorphins or happy hormones are secreted during the treatment. Most often moxibustion is incorporated to the acupuncture treatment to increase the effects of the treatment. [Refer diagram to the right]. Acupuncture is found to be highly effective in treating ailments like infertility, depression and menstrual pain as it stimulates and controls hormone secretion. Through the hormonal balance that is created during treatment you will feel relaxed and calm after the treatment. Moreover, acupuncture is used to treat ailments that involve obstructed blood flow. When blood flow is obstructed, it creates pain and numbness which can be commonly found in diseases such as uterine fibroids, irregular menstruation, ovarian cysts, PCOS, endometriosis and period pain.

Changes in brain chemistry, sensation and involuntary body functions: One of the main aims of acupuncture is to modify the brain chemistry by regulating the neurohormones and neurotransmiters through the pituitary gland. This helps in treating both male fertility and female fertility issues, enhancing libido and treating ovaries, follicles, uterus and gonads. One of the functions of the pituitary gland is to produce hormones that are responsible for reproduction. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) takes care of the development of ovarian follicles in women and the production sperm in men. Another function of the pituitary is to stimulate ovulation and form corpus luteum that is responsible for the production of progesterone and estrogen. As per one of the clinical studies found in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, June: 13(2) -115-9, acupuncture stimulates ovulation and keeps ovulatory problems under control. Increased progesterone level, FSH, LH and estrogen all have positive effects on inducing pregnancy. Acupuncture helps in maintaining balance of the hypothalamic pituitary- ovarian axis. Besides that, acupuncture also plays a regulatory role on the part of the central nervous system that takes care of sensation, immune reactions, blood pressure, blood flow, body temperature and other involuntary body functions.

Conduction of electromagnetic signals: : The pressure points in our body are found to be strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. Therefore by inserting needles into these points during acupuncture treatment stimulation generates electromagnetic signals which are greater than the normal rate of generation. These electromagnetic signals make the body secrete biochemicals such as endorphins which are natural pain killers.

Activation of opioid systems: : During acupuncture treatment different types of opioids are released into the body through the central nervous system. Opioids are responsible for reducing pain in the body.