It's the needles that everyone knows about acupuncture. And it's those needles that prevent most people from looking any further into using acupuncture. Acupuncture works by inserting these fine, metal needles into acupuncture points to manipulate the flow of "qi" or energy through the body. The acupuncture points are numbered from 1 to 41 for the large points, and 1 through 33 for the small points. These points are a major part of the course of study of licensed acupuncturists.
In all, there are over 360 acupuncture points which can be used for stimulation. When fine needles are inserted into these points, the flow of energy through those points can be either interrupted or strengthened. By directing this energy, many health problems can be healed or improved. Tender acupuncture points may indicate area of abnormal energy flow.
If, like most people, you have a fear of needles, you've probably avoided acupuncture as a healing modality. You'll be glad to know, however, that the needles used in acupuncture are so fine that they are painless in the vast majority of cases. And since they are only inserted millimeters deep, they do not draw blood. Licensed acupuncturists have hundreds of hours of training, making them quite adept at making acupuncture sessions as pain-free as possible. When a needle's insertion is felt in rare instances, the sensation is so mild that it resembles only a minor bite from an insect such as a mosquito. So fear not; acupuncture is not a masochistic exercise but a health-producing one.
Where exactly do the meridians exist? What paths do they take throughout the body? While TCM has already mapped them out, Western science is still trying to play catchup with its own set of tools. The challenge lies, however, in the subtlety of this life force energy, which prevents Western tools from being able to reliably detect it yet. Westerners have tried mapping the meridians to blood or nerve pathways with little success. Some now believe that the connective tissues in the body may hold the meridians.
Western scientists are also attempting to put together the mechanism by which acupuncture points affect the body. New data is suggesting that acupuncture points are actually specialized conductors of the body's biological electromagnetic signals. For example, the flow of a pain signal from a body part to the spinal cord and eventually to the brain are controlled by what Western science posits are "gates" throughout the central nervous system. Like streets and alleys, the body's nerve pathways can handle a limited amount of information or flow through its pathways.
Acupuncture helps to generate signals which move faster than the pain signals, crowding those pain signals out because of the limited capacity of the nerves. The pain signals are thus blocked from reaching the brain. The acupuncture signals may also start the flow of endorphins and other pain-reducing hormones and chemicals, or perhaps signal the immune system to pay attention to specific body parts.
Regardless of how acupuncture works, experimental and clinical studies have shown that it not only minimizes pain but also has a direct effect on many of the body's systems: circulation, blood production, blood pressure, and immune function. The stimulation of acupuncture points also causes the brain to release hormones and other neuro-chemicals which affect the muscles, spine and brain in positive ways.
Regardless of when Western science finally unravels the mystery of acupuncture and its points, there is ample evidence to show that acupuncture is effective in treating a variety of diseases. These acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system at points along the skin with increased electrical conductivity. By balancing qi through its influence on the yin and yang forces in the body, acupuncture is capable of producing amazing medical results. - 15255
In all, there are over 360 acupuncture points which can be used for stimulation. When fine needles are inserted into these points, the flow of energy through those points can be either interrupted or strengthened. By directing this energy, many health problems can be healed or improved. Tender acupuncture points may indicate area of abnormal energy flow.
If, like most people, you have a fear of needles, you've probably avoided acupuncture as a healing modality. You'll be glad to know, however, that the needles used in acupuncture are so fine that they are painless in the vast majority of cases. And since they are only inserted millimeters deep, they do not draw blood. Licensed acupuncturists have hundreds of hours of training, making them quite adept at making acupuncture sessions as pain-free as possible. When a needle's insertion is felt in rare instances, the sensation is so mild that it resembles only a minor bite from an insect such as a mosquito. So fear not; acupuncture is not a masochistic exercise but a health-producing one.
Where exactly do the meridians exist? What paths do they take throughout the body? While TCM has already mapped them out, Western science is still trying to play catchup with its own set of tools. The challenge lies, however, in the subtlety of this life force energy, which prevents Western tools from being able to reliably detect it yet. Westerners have tried mapping the meridians to blood or nerve pathways with little success. Some now believe that the connective tissues in the body may hold the meridians.
Western scientists are also attempting to put together the mechanism by which acupuncture points affect the body. New data is suggesting that acupuncture points are actually specialized conductors of the body's biological electromagnetic signals. For example, the flow of a pain signal from a body part to the spinal cord and eventually to the brain are controlled by what Western science posits are "gates" throughout the central nervous system. Like streets and alleys, the body's nerve pathways can handle a limited amount of information or flow through its pathways.
Acupuncture helps to generate signals which move faster than the pain signals, crowding those pain signals out because of the limited capacity of the nerves. The pain signals are thus blocked from reaching the brain. The acupuncture signals may also start the flow of endorphins and other pain-reducing hormones and chemicals, or perhaps signal the immune system to pay attention to specific body parts.
Regardless of how acupuncture works, experimental and clinical studies have shown that it not only minimizes pain but also has a direct effect on many of the body's systems: circulation, blood production, blood pressure, and immune function. The stimulation of acupuncture points also causes the brain to release hormones and other neuro-chemicals which affect the muscles, spine and brain in positive ways.
Regardless of when Western science finally unravels the mystery of acupuncture and its points, there is ample evidence to show that acupuncture is effective in treating a variety of diseases. These acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system at points along the skin with increased electrical conductivity. By balancing qi through its influence on the yin and yang forces in the body, acupuncture is capable of producing amazing medical results. - 15255
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Since 1998, Evolve Wellness has been helping patients treat migraines, HIV, infertility, depression, and addiction. Our Los Angeles Acupuncture Center has helped hundreds in the Los Angeles Area regain their health and well-being. Our talented and caring team of Los Angeles Acupuncturists is ready to help you overcome your health issues. Call or visit us today.
