There are many answers to this question, as Western medical science seeks to determine all the physiological effects of acupuncture therapy and exactly how it produces relief for so many health issues.
The classical Chinese explanation states that channels of energy (meridians) circulate in 24 hour cycles throughout the body. Meridians cover the entire surface of the body, and diverge deeper to provide connections between the organs. Energy (called qi or ‘chi’) carried in the meridians promote flow of nutrients, and provide communication between the organs and tissues. Obstruction in the movement of this energy creates a ‘dam-like’ effect resulting in inflammation/pain in some areas, lack of nutrition in other areas, and eventually disruption in organ communication or function.
Providing electrical stimulation through the insertion of fine, sterile, metal needles produces communication through the meridians, and can elimination obstructions. Removing obstructions improves organ communication, and can directly stimulate organs to improve function, or balance the nervous system.
The modern scientific explanation states that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that influence the body’s own internal regulating system.
Acupuncture has been shown to change levels of neurotransmitters, hormones, and Immunoglobulins. Acupuncture modulates Substance P, which is produced in the body in response to pain. Immediate changes in the brain and CNS have been observed with acupuncture. Needle sensation affects the peripheral nervous system and local blood circulation. Recent research has incorporated the use of MRI and thermography technology to determine what occurs in the brain and body as acupuncture points are stimulated.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment option for a wide variety of health conditions commonly faced in our society. If fact, the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) determined acupuncture to be an effective treatment option for many different conditions. The World Health Organization released a report in 2003 detailing that research was sufficient to determine acupuncture was a good therapy choice for the following: Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever), acne, addiction, Biliary colic, Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke), PMS, gastritis, Facial pain, fibromyalgia, Headache, Insomnia, Essential Hypertension, Induction of labour, Knee pain, Leukopenia, Low back pain, Malposition of fetus, correction of Morning sickness, Nausea and vomiting, Neck pain, Obesity, Periarthritis of shoulder, PCOS Postoperative pain, Rheumatoid arthritis, RSD, Sciatica, and Tennis elbow.