Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing that has been practiced for more than 2500 years. It originates from traditional Chinese medicine which treats the body holistically not just focusing on specific symptoms. The belief is that when energy channels in the body (meridians) become blocked, energy (qi) cannot flow freely and these blockages result in disharmony/disease in the body. Acupuncture at specific points along the meridians aims to unblock these channels allowing qi to flow and restoration of health.
Western medical acupuncture is based on evidence that needle insertion into specific points can elicit the body’s release of healing neuropeptides such as endorphins, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, resulting in pain relief and relaxation.
Melzack and Wall (1965) put forward the concept of the Gate Control Theory of Pain whereby the application of a non-painful stimulus such as acupuncture can “close the gate” to the transmission of painful nerve stimuli to the brain thus resulting in pain relief.
Further reading on this can be found at The golden anniversary of Melzack and Wall’s gate control theory of pain: Celebrating 50 years of pain research and management – PMC (nih.gov)
As in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture points are located along the meridians and are selected according to the patient’s symptoms.
In some cases, electro acupuncture may be advised. This involves using a small electric current to stimulate the area between 2 acupuncture points to treat pain symptoms by facilitating the release of additional pain-relieving neuropeptides.
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