Acupuncture And How It Stops Pain

A diseased state can occur in the body as the results of various causes, like trauma, toxic substances, or dysfunction from the body's internal mechanisms. Our state of mind can affect the physical aspects of our body when there's emotional turmoil. Internal physical and emotional problems can manifest externally, in skin and muscle tissue. Specific points or areas can become painful, tense, or sensitive. Traditional Chinese Medicine created a system of therapy that uses these points both for diagnosis and treatment. By manipulating those outer layers of tissue, Acupuncture and other therapies will help internal conditions. The mechanism of acupuncture has been explained by Oriental medicine for centuries using traditional concepts, while modern medicine is really just beginning to propose explanations for its effectiveness.

A Modern Medicine Perspective

These are a few of the known mechanisms that modern allopathic medicine recognizes. Ongoing research suggests other possibilities, which are still being studied.

Biochemical Defense Mechanism: A site of injury at the cellular level is created when the prick of a acupuncture needle is used. The body s reaction to injury is really a release of chemicals vital to cellular repair. The tissue and cellular biochemical defenses are initiated by the acupuncture needle. This process helps to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Endorphins: A pain reducing chemical released by a body. Also known as 'anti-stress' chemicals which were released by Acupuncture.

Gate Control Theory: The spinal cord sends the peripheral pain location to the brain. There is really a mechanism (or "gate") inside the spinal cord, which stops pain messages from getting to the brain. The insertion of the thin needles of acupuncture, or the manual manipulation of the tissues, can close this gate, thus lessening the feeling of pain. Endorphins also act on these gates which enable it to block pain.

Electrical Conduction:
It have been noted that acupuncture points have different electrical potentials than other areas of the body. It's not exactly known why these different electric points exist. Research has suggested that acupuncture affects electrical conduction within the body. Research into this phenomenon continues.

Autonomic Nervous System: Coordinating and the conduction of the body's involuntary functions are control by this system. Acupuncture and tuina "turn on" the conserving, healing function of a autonomic nervous system while overriding the fight-or-flight function which, when overactive, puts a great deal of damage on our bodies and minds.

Trigger Point Theory: Western doctors have discovered through research we now have specific points of tension within a body. Releasing those points of tension are effective in relieving musculo-skeletal pain. These points on tension almost match perfectly with the acupuncture points in Chinese medicine. Acupuncturists in Colorado can also do injection therapy (of vitamins, saline or herbal solutions) that is an especially effectual method for treating Trigger Points.

An Oriental Medicine Perspective

Oriental remedies see its effectiveness as an energetic model instead of a biochemical model of Western medicine. Ancient oriental physicians proposed that our energetic life-force, called Qi ("Chee") in Chinese, circulates along channels or meridians throughout the body and links all of the body's parts and functions. Qi maintains and nurtures our physical body as well as our mind. Qi helps to maintain blood circulating, fights disease and warms the body. When a person is healthy, Qi flows easily through the channels but if, for some reason, the flow is blocked, weak, or excessive, then signs and symptoms and/or illness occurs.

The aim of acupuncture is to fix the flow from your channels by utilizing needles or other techniques. In so doing, a change in the function of the body is achieved. Changes in Qi precede physical change, so acupuncture and tuina can act as precautionary medicine, correcting energy flow before a significant illness occurs. If physical alteration has already occurred, it can be reversed by adjusting the flow of Qi.