Traditional Chinese medicine, particularly acupuncture, is one of the oldest and most utilized medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture originated in China more than 2000 years ago and has been growing in popularity in the U.S. since the early 1970’s. These points are connected by 12 main channels and 8 secondary called meridians. Is it through these channels that the body’s vital energy flows. This energy has been named Qi (pronounced chee). While there is no one definitive answer or consensus as to how acupuncture “works” there are good hypotheses, which are supported by the western research. One of these is the body’s own electricity, specifically its electromagnetic field.

Scientist have found that acupuncture point are the center of conduction for the electromagnetic signals. Stimulating these points “manipulates” these electromagnetic signals. These signals may facilitate and potentiate both local and systemic reactions. Studies have shown that edorphins are released from the central nervous system therefore decreasing pain. Immune system cells may be “activated’ to specific sites in the body that are injured or diseased. Studies have shown that brain chemistry, sensation and involuntary body functions that can be affected by acupuncture. This is accomplished by the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in the central nervous systems that control immune reactions, blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.
In the 1970’s, the World Health Organization recognized the ability of acupuncture  to treat close to four dozens ailments. These include but are not limited to arthritis,  neck/shoulder pain, dizziness,  neuralgia,  insomnia, hypertension, depression/anxiety, addictions, emphysema, sinusitis, allergies, ulcer,  indigestion and gastritis. In 1997, the U.S. National Institute of  Health released a consensus statement affirming that acupuncture alone, or in conjunction with other therapies, is useful for addictions, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower-back pain , carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.

Research is ongoing and many of the findings are highly favorable for the utilization of acupuncture to help achieve optimum health. It is not a cure-all, but it does work much of the time for many people. I have personally used acupuncture to treat some of the conditions mentioned above with great success. If  you suffer from one of the ailments mentioned in this article  and have exhausted your options and attained no results, you may want to consider acupuncture as a serious alternative. Keep and open mind, have a healthy year, and if  i can answer any questions, don’t hesitate to call  (239) 592.5367