What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese traditional medicine involving inserting fine needles into specific points in channels along the body. The practise dates to as early as 300 BCE.

Today, acupuncture has evolved into a modern medical and technological procedure. The purpose of acupuncture is to calm and maintain the flow of Qi; an energy flow in the body.

Thanks to technological advancements, acupuncture is becoming safer and more accessible than ever before. Professionals may use specialised equipment to administer acupuncture treatments and even use specialised stowage containers and needles to avoid spreading bacteria and viruses.

Is there science behind acupuncture? 

Studying acupuncture can help with more than physical conditions. In fact, a report published in Nature Medicine states that acupuncture may help treat opioid withdrawal and insomnia while respecting cultural sensitivities around the management of pain.

A pre-clinical study titled “Pain relief with acupuncture: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials” published in 2018 was conducted to clarify the research on acupuncture. The study explored the efficacy of acupuncture for patients with neuropathic pain.

The scientists reviewed 17 clinical trials involving 11,995 participants that treated pain using needles. All participants were generally healthy adults.

Overall, results showed acupuncture had a significant effect on reducing pain scores, and the researchers noted that long-term results from their research suggested acupuncture does provide a good pain relief.

How does acupuncture work?

Fibromuscular activation, which is the main mechanism of action of acupuncture needles, involves the junctions of cells on the surface of a fibroid. The action potential of the needle moves into the root of the corpus callosum, where it stimulates and binds to specific groove junctions (1). The effect of a particular acupuncture point depends on the type of stimulus applied and the density of these junctions (2). This method of taming energy and improving longevity has been used for centuries in China, Japan, and throughout Asia.

One of the historic sources for acupuncture is the “Eight Acupuncture Points” which were named in honour of the Eight Immortals (gods of Chinese religion). This concept refers to specific points along with the meridian system, especially on the Qi and Chi (energy directions in the body). These points correspond to acupuncture points ranked in descending order based on the efficiency of their effect: at the top are the two lowest points (Ming and Wu), the top two points parallel to the Qi and Chi and fourth to the Yang (energy direction of the spine), around which are the fourth, sixth, ninth, and tenth points, and so on. The Eight Acupuncture Points are thought to exert different effects on the body and are associated with each Qi and Chi.

The Qi (energy) refers to life energy and can be thought of as a battery that stores and releases energy via the actions of the autonomic nervous system. The central branch of this system is the vagus nerve that affects the functions of the spinal ganglia and other organs such as the liver and the reproductive system. Energy is released from the body through Qi and transferred through the vagus nerve to rest in the tissues and organs. The amount of energy released is quantified in Qi and expressed in units called J.

What type of needles are used?

The needles used are the special 18-25Ka needles, and they were developed to treat but can also stimulate the flow of Qi (chi).

According to the American College of Physicians, acupressure in the US, UK and Australia typically uses needles that are 30–40 centimeters long.

Hopefully, this answers some of your acupuncture questions, but feel free to contact us online or on social media with any further questions.