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How does Acupunture work?

Eastern Medicine Description

Acupuncture is comprised of Channels connecting to specific organs and glands. Within these channels the body's vital energy (Qi) flows like rivers connecting the entire body and irrigates, nourishes, and energizes tissues, muscles, organs, and cells. Free flowing Qi throughout the body means that the body is fully nourished and there is harmony in a person's physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

Any obstructions in the movement of Qi within these meridians are like a dam backing up, stopping or slowing the flow of qi. These blockages lead to a lack of nourishment for the body causing systems to malfunction, thus creating physical and emotional illness.

Western Medicine Description

There are over 2,000 acupuncture points located on the body. The majority of these points are located near nerves, or situated near small nerve bundles. The modern explanation of acupuncture is that the insertion of the thin, sterile acupuncture needles in these acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system releasing chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain.

These chemicals will either change the experience of pain or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's internal regulating system.