How it Works

Acupuncture is a powerful aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been helping people heal for over 3000 years. The Eastern theory behind Chinese Medicine states that all pain and disease come from an imbalance in the organ systems, or a blockage in the flow of energy in the body. Acupuncture is able to bring balance, and release blockages by stimulating specific points that are spread like a network throughout the body. Points are chosen based on their effect on the root cause of a problem, not just the resulting symptoms. In this way many different symptoms may be addressed at the same time, and the physical, emotional and spiritual are addressed as one.

Recently Western scientists have been doing a lot of research and have also come up with theories on how this ancient medicine works. There is significant evidence that the stimulation of specific acupuncture points activates the central nervous system and alters the messages it is sending to the brain.  This can evoke a biological response like a release of endorphins for pain; regulation of hormones for weight loss and menopausal symptoms; optimization of the immune system for  allergies or autoimmune conditions; or even regulation of neurotransmitters to reduce stress, improve sleep and help with depression or anxiety.  It is this regulation of the brain chemistry that makes people feel so relaxed during and after treatment.

Whether we are talking about the energy flow in the body, or the neurochemistry of the brain, in essence both the Eastern and Western explanations come down to the same conclusion: Acupuncture brings balance to the body, and stimulates it to heal itself.