How does acupuncture work?

​

There are three main principles to consider when

understanding how acupuncture works.

1. The body has the ability to heal itself.

2. All parts of the body are connected and affect every other part.

3. Treating the root of the problem facilitates healing.

The body has the ability to heal itself.

When the body is not functioning at its best, we feel symptoms of dysfunction, such as pain, nausea, sleep problems, etc. These symptoms are important to listen to and acknowledge their presence because these tell us that something may be wrong. 

When the body experiences dysfunction, it will work to correct the problem as best as it can. This is what we call bringing the body to homeostasis, or balance, a mechanism which is important for survival.

Sometimes, the body has difficulty correcting the problem. This is where acupuncture can help. When very thin needles (about the thickness of a human hair) are inserted into the body, it responds to them in several ways including improving blood flow, strengthening nerve signals, altering levels of hormones, and releasing tight connective tissue (which surrounds every structure in the body). Often times, several of these responses occur simultaneously. When these responses occur, symptoms can improve and the condition stops affecting the body.

All parts of the body are connected and affect every other part.

Eastern Medicine views the body as a whole. Symptoms affect the whole body and therefore the whole body needs to be treated. Often times, acupuncture needles are placed all over the body, not just near the problem area.  

Treating the root of the problem facilitates healing. 

Imagine a garden with a lot of weeds. There are two ways one can make the garden appear clean. One way would be to rip out all of the leaves, which can happen quickly and with little effort, but then the weeds grow back. The other way would be to pull out the weeds from the root, which takes a much longer time and a lot more effort. However, pulling out the roots means that the weeds will not return. The same analogy can be used towards healing. During an acupuncture session, patients sometimes wonder why health history questions may be asked that seem unrelated to their current complaint. The reason for this is because one’s entire health history can shape one’s current state of wellness, much like the health of a plant’s roots can impact the life of that plant. By addressing the body holistically, not only will the chief complaint start to heal but also the entire body will support a strong foundation for overall healing. 

​