What is Acupuncture and How Does It Work?
Acupuncture is a treatment method that involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body and at varying depths. The scientific mechanisms behind how acupuncture works are not yet fully understood, and it remains a topic of debate among Western doctors and scientists. This article will help you better understand what acupuncture is and how it can benefit patient health.
1. What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient practice where the practitioner uses thin, solid metal needles to penetrate the skin, which are then activated through gentle, specific hand movements or electrical stimulation.
Acupuncture involves using hair-thin needles inserted into acupoints on the body. Most people report feeling a slight pain when the needle is inserted. The needle is placed at a point that creates a feeling of pressure and soreness. Needles can be heated during the treatment or stimulated with a mild electrical current. Some people report feeling invigorated after acupuncture, while others say they feel relaxed.
Improper needle placement can cause pain during treatment. Needles must be sterilized to prevent infections. That’s why it’s crucial to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncturist. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles similarly to other medical devices, requiring them to meet good manufacturing practices and sterile, single-use standards.
Instead of using traditional needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes applied at the acupoints, including:
- Heat (warming)
- Pressure (acupressure)
- Rubbing
- Suction (cupping)
- Pulsed electromagnetic energy
2. What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system, releasing chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes can stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment method that can be used alone or in conjunction with conventional therapies to address the following conditions:
- Nausea from surgery and chemotherapy
- Post-surgical dental pain
- Drug addiction or other substance abuses
- Headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Lower back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Asthma
Acupuncture may also help in the rehabilitation of patients following a stroke.
Traditional Chinese Medicine explains that health results from a harmonious balance between the two complementary extremes of “yin” and “yang” energy, referred to as “qi” (pronounced “chee”). Illness is thought to be a result of an imbalance between these two factors. Qi is believed to flow through meridians or pathways in the human body. These pathways and energy flows can be influenced through 350 acupoints on the body. Inserting needles at these acupoints with the proper combination is believed to restore the energy flow to a balanced state for the user’s health. While there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of these meridians or acupoints, many studies suggest that acupuncture is effective for certain conditions.
Some experts have used neuroscience to explain acupuncture. Acupoints are considered places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissues can be stimulated. This stimulation increases blood flow and activates the body’s natural painkillers. Conducting studies that apply proper scientific measures is challenging due to the invasive nature of acupuncture. In a clinical trial, a control group would need to undergo a sham treatment or placebo to achieve results that can be compared to those from genuine acupuncture. Some studies have concluded that acupuncture provides similar benefits to patients as placebo treatments, while others indicate there are real benefits.
Research conducted in Germany has also shown that acupuncture can help reduce tension headaches and migraines. The American Center for Integrative Health notes that acupuncture has been proven effective for:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Knee pain
- Headaches and migraines
They list additional disorders that may benefit from acupuncture but need further scientific confirmation.
In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified several health conditions that acupuncture has been shown to be effective for, including:
- High and low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
- Various gastric conditions, including peptic ulcers
- Chronic pain
- Dysentery
- Allergic rhinitis
- Facial pain
- Morning sickness
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sprains
- Tennis elbow
- Sciatica
- Dental pain
- Reducing stroke risk
Other health issues for which the WHO suggests acupuncture may be beneficial but requires more evidence include:
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
- Post-surgical recovery
- Addiction, smoking, and alcohol dependence
- Back pain
- Stiff neck
- Vascular dementia
- Whooping cough
- Tourette syndrome
The WHO also suggests that acupuncture may help treat some infections, including certain urinary tract infections and dengue fever. However, they also note that “only national health authorities can determine the diseases, symptoms, and conditions for which acupuncture can be recommended.”
3. Considerations When Choosing Acupuncture
Before choosing acupuncture as a treatment method, you should discuss it with your doctor.
Due to the scientific research not fully explaining how acupuncture works within the framework of Western medicine, acupuncture remains a controversial topic. It’s important to exercise caution when deciding to undergo acupuncture treatment.
- Discuss acupuncture with your doctors. Acupuncture is not suitable for everyone. Talk about all treatments and medications (supplements, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications) you are taking. If you have a pacemaker, are at risk of infection, have chronic skin conditions, are pregnant, or have breast implants or other implants, consult your doctors first. Acupuncture may pose health risks if these issues are not addressed.
- Do not rely on a diagnosis from an acupuncturist. Only accept diagnoses from specialized medical doctors. If you wish to pursue acupuncture, you can ask your doctor if it may be beneficial for you.
- Choose a licensed acupuncturist. Your diagnosing and treating physician can be the most reliable source to refer you to a licensed or certified acupuncturist. Friends and family members can also be trustworthy referral sources. You don’t need to be a doctor to practice acupuncture or become a certified acupuncture professional. About 30 states in the U.S. have established training standards to certify acupuncturists, although not all states require acupuncturists to be licensed. Not all certified acupuncture professionals are medical doctors; the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture can provide a referral list of practicing acupuncturists.
- Consider costs and insurance coverage. Before starting treatment, ask the acupuncturist about the number of treatments needed and the costs involved.
The benefits of acupuncture can be difficult to quantify, but many find it helpful for managing a range of painful conditions, particularly chronic pain. However, some studies suggest that certain types of simulated acupuncture seem to work as well as actual acupuncture. There is also evidence that acupuncture works best for those who expect it to be effective. Acupuncture has few side effects, making it worth trying if you struggle to control pain with more conventional methods.
