How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture works in several ways, some of which are easily explained in terms of western science, and some of which can only be understood in the context of the chinese medical understanding of health and human functioning.  From a western scientific point of view, acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins, the pain-relieving substances our bodies naturally produce.  From a Chinese cultural point of view, acupuncture facilitates the smooth flow of the vital substances in the body, “Qi” (loosely translated as “energy”) and “Blood” through a system of meridians, or channels, that feed every organ and structure of the body and which connect every aspect of our body and mind.  Whatever the mechanism, acupuncture has a long record of success in helping people recover from a wide variety of conditions.

Is Acupuncture Painful?

People for whom the idea of acupuncture is new might find it odd to think that inserting needles into body can be therapeutic.  A few important facts should be taken into consideration:  First, acupuncture does not require that you adopt any new beliefs or spiritual practices.  Acupuncture works very nicely for Americans as well as Chinese (or Russians, Haitians, Israelis, Italians, or whatever.)  Second, acupuncture needles are not much thicker than a human hair, and are not hollow.  So people who associate a needle with having their blood