Do you ever wonder “How does Acupuncture work?” This inquiry is the most common question asked in our office. There are several theories as to how acupuncture works. From a clinical perspective, various research shows that acupuncture has numerous and various mechanisms of action and as you will see these mechanisms overlap. Some scientists and doctors are still trying to figure it all out. Here are some explanations to help you understand how acupuncture can help you or your loved ones.   

What is Acupuncture?

A brief history of acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture became more popular in the United States in the early 1970s. While there are many different types of acupuncture, the fundamental belief guiding the procedure is that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for pain and disease. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body involving various methods such as the insertion of thin needles, the application of heat, pressure, or lasers, and the stimulation of electrical currents. The ultimate goal of acupuncture is to correct imbalances in the flow of Qi and restore or maintain health.

Most Common Theories of How Acupuncture Works

There are many working theories about how acupuncture works. Here are some of the most common ones.

• Intramuscular Stimulation Theory

• Micro-injury Theory

• Pain Gate Theory

What is Intramuscular Stimulation Theory?

Intramuscular stimulation is an easy theory to understand. This theory explains how chronic pain and muscle tightness can be relieved. When the nerves and muscles work together, it keeps the body moving regularly. Neuromyofascial pain is when muscles that nerves regulate become weak and uncomfortable due to inflammation or injury. The intramuscular stimulation technique works by stimulating the tight muscles in your body. Painful muscles can result from many different things, like prolonged movements that put a lot of strain on the muscles and make them tighten up. For instance, sitting at your desk for hours can cause pain in your muscles. This is because the muscles are tight and irritated. Acupuncture stimulation can release and lengthen the irritated muscle, thereby reducing pain (Cheng, 2014).

What Does Micro-Injury Theory Prove?

Micro-injury is a proven theory that science has shown to work (Cheng, 2014). Acupuncture needles stimulate the irritated nerves in the local tissues of the body. This causes the release of messenger molecules called neuropeptides. The neuropeptide known as acetylcholine can help to contract smooth muscles, dilate blood vessels, raise body secretions, and decrease heart rate. Acetylcholine is the chemical that sends a signal to cause vasodilation in the body. This means the parasympathetic nervous system contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, raises body secretions, and decreases heart rate as part of the autonomic nervous system (a branch of the peripheral nervous system). This is called an axon reflex. Axon reflex causes an increase in blood flow and helps to heal. Acupuncture can be beneficial for chronic pain in joints like:

• Bursitis

• Arthritis

• Peripheral Neuropathy

• Fibromyalgia

• and Gout

Peripheral Neuropathy is commonly seen in people with diabetes or side effects from chemotherapy. This is a big reason why more people are currently integrating Acupuncture Therapy into their conventional medical treatments.

What is the Pain Gate Theory?

One of the most popular theories is called the Pain Gate theory. This is where acupuncture can stop a pain signal that travels along a nerve pathway. When you stub your toe, for example, you might instinctively want to rub it. Acupuncture works in a similar way. It can reduce pain by activating non-painful sensations. The brain receives both pain and sensory information through the spinal cord. The pain pathway is faster than the sensory pathway, but the key is that the sensory pathway also creates interneurons that send an inhibitory neuron that stops the pain signal. Acupuncture can help to block pain signals that travel to the brain. This means that acupuncture can help with almost any type of pain, from lower back pain to digestive pain, to a migraine (Bagley et al., 2020).

How Does Acupuncture Activate Neurons?

The endogenous opioid system is a system in our body that scientists and doctors have studied for decades. This system, which is a part of the central and peripheral nervous system, is our own body’s analgesic system. It has the ability to help us feel better when we experience pain.

For example, have you ever heard of the phrase “runners’ high”? Or have you ever felt really good after working out? After running or working out the body has a euphoric feeling, where you feel positive and energized. That's because of the endogenous opioid system. Endogenous opioids are responsible for the good feeling in the body. There are three types of endogenous opioids. The one we know the most about is called endorphins. The other two, enkephalins and dynorphins, are less popular. All of these hormones help reduce pain in the body. Acupuncture can activate enkephalins. Enkephalin neurons are responsible for making us feel good emotionally (Francois et al., 2017).

How Does the Somatic System Work With Acupuncture?

The somatic sympathetic reflex occurs when somatic stimuli produce patterns of reflex activity in the sensory and motor nerves within our bodies (Lieberth, 2022). This can be caused by things like an ankle sprain or a pinched nerve. The reflex makes the muscles tighten up and causes pain. It can also make the cardiovascular sympathetic neurons less active, which can reduce high blood pressure. The somatic autonomic reflex regulates various body physiological functions, such as gastrointestinal motility and systemic inflammation. When this reflex is activated, it can powerfully change how diseases progress (Lieberth, 2022). For example, this can help with Alzheimer’s disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.

People have known for a long time that acupuncture can help with different things in the body. Research shows that acupuncture can also help raise serotonin levels (Cheng, 2014). Serotonin is responsible for key body functions such as:

• Sleep

• Digestion

• Nausea

• Wound Healing

• Bone Health

• and Blood Clotting

This explains why acupuncture can help with anxiety and depression, insomnia, and all types of digestion dysfunctions. Some of us may not have known that serotonin can also speed up wound healing and help with blood flow. This means that acupuncture can help with so many functions in the body like hypertension, coronary artery disease, and all types of gynecological disorders from premenstrual symptoms like cramps and headaches to endometriosis.

The Benefits of Acupuncture for Hormone Regulation.

Did you know that acupuncture can even help with hormone regulation? This includes obesity, diabetes, menopause, PCOS, and any type of weight loss. The hypothalamus-pituitary axis is responsible for hormone regulation (Wang et al, 2018). The hypothalamus can be thought of as the endocrine system's coordinating center. Signals from different parts of the brain, the body's autonomic function, and information from the environment all come together here. The hypothalamus then sends instructions to the pituitary gland, which releases hormones that affect other parts of the endocrine system. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis has a direct impact on:

• Thyroid Function

• Adrenal Gland Function

• Gonad Function

• Growth

• Milk Production

• and Water Balance

Acupuncture can help with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, menstrual cycle regulation, fatigue, lactating difficulties, and edema. The hypothalamus is responsible for several important activities outside of the endocrine system. These include tasks such as maintaining the correct body temperature, controlling the autonomic nervous system, and managing hunger.

Acupuncture stimulation increases cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that your adrenal glands produce and release. According to the Cleveland Clinic, glucocorticoids are a type of steroid hormone. It helps to suppress inflammation in all of your bodily tissues and control metabolism in your muscles, fat, liver, and bones. Glucocorticoids also affect the sleep-wake cycles (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Almost every organ and tissue in your body is affected by cortisol. Cortisol can also help with almost every system in the body including:

• The Nervous System

• The Immune System

• The Cardiovascular System

• The Respiratory System

• The Reproductive System

• The Musculoskeletal System

• and The Integumentary System

This means that acupuncture can help with the common cold, flu, allergies, chronic fatigue, fertility, mental health, and wellness, and the benefits are endless. 

Contact us

The ways in which acupuncture can help are many and numerous. Acupuncture is an effective drug-free treatment option, without the side effects often caused by prescription medications. Call Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness today for a free consultation or book an appointment and see if acupuncture can help you feel the best you can. 

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Written by Dr. Lisa Shields, AP at Eastern Acupuncture And Wellness