The mechanism by which acupuncture relieves pain is not well understood in Western terms. We do know that insertion of the needles in particular acupuncture points causes a release of endorphins (the brain chemicals that block pain) and well as modulating other hormones such as cortisol which is released during stress. However, it is important to note that this is what the needles do, not how they work. In Chinese terms, often, pain is related to stagnation of some sort in a given channel or meridian and the needles essentially marshall the qi to break through the dam, thereby relieving localized pain. Finally, remember that the needles are solid and that there is no medication or substance introduced into the body with acupuncture. It is the process itself that works.
The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant physical and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage" Physical pain results from stimulation of specific nerve fibers that carry pain impulses to the brain. In TCM terms, we understand that acupuncture stimulates the qi of the body. Qi for westerners can be a confusing concept. It isn't some mysterious energetic force that halos the body although it does have some correspondences with the electromagnetic field of the body. Rather, it has to do with functionality. By functionality we mean the sum of all body energetic phenomena such as movement, signaling, metabolism, and information exchange. There has been a large of amount of research into “how acupuncture works.” There still isn’t one simple answer. There are a few theories that try to explain its efficacy. One such theory states that by stimulating points with a needle endorphins are released. Endorphins, along with enkephallins and dynorphins, are known opioid peptides and are found in neurons throughout the body. It is believed that opioid peptides are responsible for how the central nervous system perceives pain. Pain is felt when the nervous system gets trapped in a negative feedback loop. This can happen for two reasons. Either, the signals sent through the nervous system to the brain are not sufficient enough for the brain to register the pain and thus release endorphins. Or, the pain originates at a different source than where the brain perceives it being and therefore release endorphins at the wrong site. When this happens, the source of the pain remains damaged and continues to cause pain even the body assumes it has resolved the problem. Here, needling local acupuncture points or aushi points stimulates the release of opioids in the nervous system and resolves the pain. Another theory called the “gate theory” proposed by R. Melzach and P.D. Wall states that the perception of pain is created by impulses that are transmitted through the nervous system from neuron to neuron. If there is overstimulation of neuron by pain signals, the neuron closes down, similar to a gate closing down. When this happens it keeps the impulses from reaching the brain hence no release of endorphins. Needling stimulates impulses down the nerve that was previously blocked which produces an analgesic effect and relieves the pain. In 1997, the National Institutes of Health put out a consensus on Acupuncture which approves acupuncture as a viable modality for adult post-operative nausea and vomiting, chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, post-operative dental pain, addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofacial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. The list for the World Health Organization is even more extensive. Hope this helps………….best of health
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