Does Acupuncture Work? How it benefits your Immune System, your Hormonal System and your Nervous System

Does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture began with the discovery that the stimulation of specific points on the body affected the functioning of certain organs. It evolved into a complete therapeutic system as the connection between these points and the organs were better understood. Today, it is practised extensively throughout the world, and it is the world’s second most practised medical technique.

According to Chinese medical theory, it has a number of regulatory functions, such as regulating the flow of Chi (Qi in mandarin) and Blood in the meridians and organs, remove blockages, strengthen the body’s Protective Chi and lessen the virulence of excesses. Once this is achieved, the balance of Yin and Yang is restored and the body returns to a state of health.

Researchers have found that acupuncturists regulate your body’s internal energies to strengthen it to fight off illness. This is an important fact. An example of this is the direct increase in the number of white blood cells (necessary to fight off infections) after administering some acu-points.

Another scientific fact: scientists have also found that in the treatment of pain, the body releases its own natural pain-killer andomorphine. It is this that calms and gives a sense of well-being.

Scientists have proven that acupuncture affects some of the major systems of the body such as the cardio-vascular system (Heart and Lung), Digestive and Gastro-Intestinal, Respiratory, Urinary, Immune, Endocrine, Nervous and the Reproductive system. The musculo-skeletal system (bone, joints and muscles) has been shown to respond to TCM treatment extremely well. You’ll see below examples of how acupuncturists affect these systems.

Extensive research in the US, China, Japan and Australia has shown that acupuncture directly influences the immune, hormonal and nervous systems. Below are some examples of how you’ll benefit:

1. Your Immune System:

Modern science has shown this important fact: that acupuncturists can increase the production of leucocytes (white blood cells) that attack micro-organisms, and also increase the number of certain types of anti-bodies.

It has also been found that it significantly reduces the body’s inflammation reactions. This means that it can have very good results with fever and chronic infections that do not respond to other treatments, for example, vaginal infections, sinusitis, influenza, bronchitis, urinary tract infections or middle ear infections.

It also assists in conditions where inflammation is present, for example, sports injuries, strains and sprains, tennis elbow, repetition strain injuries, colitis, diverticulitis, prostate inflammation, rheumatism or arthritis.

Because the techniques used by acupuncturists are involved with all these systems, it can be very useful for other complex problems, for example, hay fever, insomnia, asthma, tinnitus, angina, hypertension, palpitations, constipation, diarrhoea, and some skin conditions.

2. Your Hormonal System:

Various nervous, emotional and painful conditions have benefited greatly.

Acupuncture has been shown to increase the production of the body’s own hormone pain killers; therefore it is very effective in the relief of pain.

It has also been shown to affect the production of hormones from other major glands of the body such as the adrenal and pituitary glands. So acupuncturists can help your body deal with the effects of emotional stress, work pressure or family stress.

This effect on the hormonal system means that acupuncture can be of great benefit to women in gynaecological problems such as menstruation and menopause.

Other diseases (which are largely stress-related) are often helped by acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment, for example, stress headaches and migraines, eczema, depression, bed-wetting, over eating, excessive drinking and smoking, or ulcers.

3. Your Nervous System

Acupuncture can control the nerves in the muscle that control its contraction and relaxation.

Since many types of aches and pains are due to excessive or chronic muscle contraction, acupuncturists give great relief from these. The areas of pain that have responded well include the back, neck, shoulder, ribs, arms or legs, knees, sciatic, pain in the joints and repetitive strain injuries.

Because of this effect on the neuro-muscular system, acupuncturists can also relieve paralysis of many types such as facial paralysis. It can also assist in stroke recovery.

In conclusion, I hope I have answered your question "does acupuncture work".

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