Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest medical systems in the world and it is still practiced much the same as it was 5000 years ago. It is designed to look at each person as a unique individual and put together all of the physical and emotional patterns/symptoms to create a holistic treatment plan. The basic concept is that we all have a vital life force or energy that runs through our bodies called “Qi” (pronounced “chee”). Disease and/or pain occurs when our Qi gets disrupted by getting stuck or getting depleted. We have channels that run like rivers all over our bodies where the qi flows. Acupuncture points are areas along these channels (also called meridians) where there is a deepening in the river like a pool or an eddy where the qi collects and gathers.
By placing an acupuncture needle in these pools (acupuncture points) we can either free up qi that has gotten stuck (kind of like a log jam in a river) or we can pull more qi into the point (like digging a well) if the qi has gotten depleted or stuck upriver. By restoring proper qi flow to the points and meridians we restore the body back to health.Today, we know that many of the acupuncture points correlate to major nerve plexuses in the body. By placing a needle in these sites, the acupuncture needle will “talk” to the brain via nerve conduction and transmission to relieve pain and inflammation and promote healing. In fact, acupuncture is one of the best studied complementary medicines and has
been shown to:
Decrease Inflammation by reducing the production of pain-related substances like pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins.
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Provide pain relief by releasing endorphins and activating the opioid receptors in the brain to stay open longer (all natural, drug-free, and
lasting pain relief)
Stimulate the Nervous System which release chemicals into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. These biochemical changes promote physical and emotional wellbeing and stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities
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Regulates the body’s nerve-endocrine immune system through the
activation of acupuncture points
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Accelerate Healing
[References:]
1. “Acupuncture therapy: mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety: apotential intervention for psychogenic disorders?” Kawakita andOkada; Biopsychosoc Medicine; Jan 20, 2014
2. “Acupuncture for Pain Management: Molecular Mechanisms ofAction” Teng Chen et al., Am J Chin Med. 20203. “Mechanisms of Acupuncture-Electroacupuncture on Persistent Pain”Zhang, Lao, et al. Anesthesiology 2014.