While there are many metaphysical and physical theories about how acupuncture work, and while the principles of Chinese herbal medicine prescription does not rely upon biochemical analysis, ultimately, the rationale and effectiveness of Oriental medicine will be explained in common terms of physics and chemistry.

Acupuncture

How acupuncture relieves pain is unclear to Western science. Evidence points to a number of mechanisms.

First, the "gate theory" suggests that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord or brain at various nerve connections or "gates" to these areas. This would be similar to how reflexes operate. For example, when you stub your toe, the nerve impulse goes from your toe to your spine. Then it divides, causing a nerve impulse to the muscles in your leg to pull your toe back. Another impulse proceeds to your brain, causing you to feel the pain, and allowing your conscious mind to evalute the situation and recover your sense of dignity.

Second, when the impulse reaches your brain, it stimulates the release of narcotic-like substances called endorphins ("endogenous morphine"), which reduce pain systemically. Acupuncture seems to cause the body to react as if it has been injured, but without actually causing the pain that would accompany such an injury.

Third, in cases where acupuncture needles are manipulated, or stimulated by electricity, the counter-irritation causes a slight distraction, but more importantly, it trains the body to "turn down the volume" of pain, just as we become accustomed to changing sound, light, and temperatures in the environment around us, and learn to ingnore all but the most important or unusual.

Fourth, when needles are place in the skin, they serve as an irritant, causing local blood vessels (capillaries) to dilate, and for cells to release chemicals vital to the repair of tissue. In other words, the local cellular and tissue biochemical defense mechanisms are triggered by the invasive needle, and the body has been fooled into thinking it has been injured by a foreign object. By dilating the vessels around such an injury, and releasing chemicals, the body's protective mechanism both speeds repair of tissue, flushes out toxins, and destroys bacteria.

There are varied individual responses to acupuncture. It works best for some conditions, and not for others, just like any other modality or procedure. The abundance of poorly designed studies with inconclusive results have caused some to conclude that acupuncture is a sham, placebo, auto-suggestion, hypnosis, or cultural conditioning (these skeptics claim that it works better on Asians than on Euro-Americans). However, conclusive studies of acupuncture on animals and infants pretty much undermines such unsupported speculation.

NIH-NCCAM Prespective

The National Institutes of Health, National Commission for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, suggest three possible mechanisms of action:

Several processes have been proposed to explain acupuncture's effects, primarily those on pain. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either change the experience of pain or release other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body's self-regulating systems. The biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. There are three main mechanisms:

1. Conduction of electromagnetic signals: Western scientists have found evidence that  acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulating  points along these pathways through acupuncture enables electromagnetic signals to be  relayed at a greater rate than under normal conditions. These signals may start the flow  of pain-killing biochemicals, such as endorphins, and of immune system cells to specific  sites in the body that are injured or vulnerable to disease.

2. Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of opioids may  be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture treatment, thereby  reducing pain.

3. Changes in brain chemistry, sensation, and involuntary body functions: Studies  have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of  neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Acupuncture also has been documented to affect  the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body  functions, such as immune reactions and processes whereby a person's blood pressure,  blood flow, and body temperature are regulated.

Diet and Chinese Herbal Medicine

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Manual Therapy

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Qi Gong

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Taiji Quan

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