How does acupuncture work?

While the ‘Hard’ science behind acupuncture is unknown, may theories offer support and suggest that acupuncture works by improving circulation and igniting our body's natural self-healing process. By inserting thin acupuncture needles into the body it stimulates the body's Fascia. Fascia is thin connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, tissue, and cells in your body. By stimulating the Fascia, it activates the pathway between the nervous system and endocrine system and increases the flow of blood to certain parts of the body initiating our bodies self-healing ability. 

The needles stimulate the body’s existing systems to:

1. React to an illness or a symptom:

a. Help manage muscle pain by activating a chemical response to control nerve impulses of a trigger points in your muscles to release tension in the muscle fiber, leaving your body feeling less ‘tight’ and hurt.

2. Increase Circulation and flow:

a. Strategically placed acupuncture needles stimulate the flow of Qi and blood circulating our body and breaks up blocks or stagnation that, over a period of time, cause pain and illness; basically unbalanced.

3. Strengthens the Immune System: 

a. Acupuncture can stimulate the activation of T-cells and production of red and white blood cells, thus increasing your bodies natural immunity response. 

4. Release natural chemicals, such as endorphins:

a. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers.  By stimulating sensory neurons or receptor fields under the skin and muscle it results in the body releasing endorphins, thus leaving you feeling relaxed.