Acupuncture is a method of inserting thin needles into acupuncture points in order to improve health and cure disease. Acupuncture is a traditional therapy dating back well over 2,000 years. The foundational classic of traditional Chinese medicine, the Huang Di Nei Jing, was written around 0 B.C.E. and is separated into two books. The second book called Ling Shu details acupuncture theory and technique in great detail. Since that time, acupuncture has been a mainstay of Chinese medicine and has continued to develop and grow.
In order to understand how acupuncture works, we can look at through two lenses: TCM and modern medicine. The TCM theoretical foundation asserts that it can realign or improve the flow of energetic channels carrying blood and Qi running up and down the body. Each of these channels belongs to and connects with a specific organ, and by correcting the flow of the channels, it can relieve pain, affect organ function, adjust organ systems, etc.
An explanation in western terms is best understood by looking at the anatomy of the acupuncture points. A large number of these points lie along or near the lymphatic channels, nerves, blood vessels and endocrine glands. Changing the blood flow and microenvironment around these points can then affect the systems they are responsible for. The lymphatic system is primarily responsible for immune function, and this helps explain why acupuncture treats the immune system and immunological disorders. The nerves primarily deal with motor and sensory function, explaining why acupuncture treats motor problems and pain. Treatment of circulatory issues like uterine fibroids and many types of headaches rely on the blood vessels. And regulating endocrine dysfunction and imbalance is adjusted by working on the endocrine glands.
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