“So, does acupuncture actually work?”, they ask me. Even if they don’t ask, many people think it. Until you experience the benefits of acupuncture, it’s really a fair question to ask. After all, sticking hair-thin needles into various points on the body to heal it doesn’t necessarily fall within the contexts of our western minds. With that in mind, I thought I’d share a few links to research about acupuncture and how it works.
Acupuncture improves blood circulation
Acupuncture affects the connective tissue
Acupuncture affects the central nervous system (CNS)
Acupuncture changes reactions in the brain as seen via functional MRI (fMR) imaging
Acupuncture releases the feel good hormones known as endorphins (an old research paper, but still a good one)
Bioelectrical resistance is different along acupuncture channels and at acupoints
The National Institute of Health has also issued a Consensus Statement on Acupuncture stating: “Acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.”¹
¹ NIH Consensus Conference. Acupuncture. JAMA 1998;280:1518-24
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