The Theory Behind Acupuncture and Its Benefits

China is a big country. In fact, it is the third biggest country in the world slightly bigger than the United States even when the latter reckons Hawaii and Alaska into its land mass. China takes up a huge part of Asia. It is an ancient nation which for centuries has remained obscure, although it had one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations then. Much of China still remains a mystery to the West. Isolated from the evolutionary philosophy of the West, the Chinese developed a line of thought that led to the development of a lot of ancient medicines and healing systems. In the West, these traditional healing systems are categorized as alternative medicine.

One of the healing systems invented by the Chinese is acupuncture. For thousands of years, acupuncture was completely unknown to the West. But when China opened its doors to Europe, this healing procedure have been seen to help a lot of Europeans overcome certain types of illnesses. When it became popular in the US in the 1970s, Western science has begun studying it. But since acupuncture works differently for each person, the results of these studies have been ambiguous. The fact is, acupuncture is a healing technique that does not follow Western medical theory. It is a medical science based on the idea that certain points situated at various parts in the human body affect the chemistry of the body.

These points, known as acupuncture points or acupoints, for short, are connected to specific organs of the human body and when stimulated, help these organs heal themselves from certain types of illnesses. This may sound a bit funky to people in the West, but this is exactly the way the Chinese have been healing themselves for more than 3500 years. Acupuncture is a traditional method of Chinese medicine, and more important, has been in vogue for over 2500 years. Japan is also a leading practitioner of acupuncture. In the 20th century this treatment has spread to all countries of the world. The US National Institutes of Health reveals that more than 12 million US citizens have availed themselves of acupuncture for treatment. Its healing effects have been known and endorsed by several renowned western doctors and medical scientists.

Acupuncture represents the ingenuity of the Chinese who have contributed a lot to the advancement of human civilization. If you have been raised in a Western style of education, you may find that this treatment is bizarre but you can’t explain why it is so cogent and successful. Professionals who solely follow the Western scientific method are oftentimes skeptical of this form of healing due to the fact that they cannot explain how it works when they apply their own modern medical practice and thought into it. Rationalists therefore believe that there is no histological or anatomical basis that the body possesses any meridians or acupoints.

Chinese acupuncture theory. What is it?

According to Chinese medicine, there are about 365 acupuncture points scattered throughout the human body which mirrors the 365 days of a year. Moreover, the body has 14 main meridian channels. Twelve of these channels are believed to correspond to the body’s dozen major organs. The spine has a meridian that’s aligned with the midline of the stomach and another meridian that’s aligned to the spine itself. But further research and neuro-imaging of the human body have revealed that there is certainly a possibility that some acupoints procure certain effects that in terms of anatomy cannot be predicted.

The theory behind acupuncture as enunciated by the Chinese presupposes that a kind of life energy exists that flows throughout the body. This life energy is called Chi or Qi. The flow takes place through the meridians. Acupoints link with the body tissues and the organs through the meridians. In order for a person to be healthy, the Chinese believe that Qi needs to flow or circulate throughout the body without any impediment. Occasionally, this flow is disturbed which then causes an imbalance in the body which then leads to illness. According to Chinese medicine theory, acupuncture can help bring back balance in the body and the person recovers once the normal flow of Qi is restored.

For the relief of pain, acupuncture gives practical results. This therapy greatly reduces post-injury pain, post-operative pain, rheumatic pain, arthritic pain, period pain, backache, and migraine. According to Chinese medicine, through the insertion of filiform needles at certain acupoints, the restoration of the normal circulation of Qi can begin.

Acupuncture is a complex system and not just a simple process of sticking needles into the body. It combines other complimentary modes of Chinese and Western medicine that can include laser treatment, moxibustion, herbs, massage, cupping, etc. More often than not, Chinese herbs are used alongside acupuncture. These herbs are able to enhance acupuncture’s healing effects. Scientists from the Wes have sought to explain the physiological reason why acupuncture works but until now, they still can’t find a logical explanation. It can be said that Chinese medicine especially acupuncture simply defies (Western) logic.

Western medicine has failed to explain the Chinese concept of the meridians, and Qi, and how they associate with the different organs of the body. Regardless, this type of alternative healing system is now a very popular and much sought after treatment because it is safe and simply works.

But what do the Chinese think about Qi?

For them, Qi is simply the life force that resides throughout the Universe and in all living things including the human body. The essence of Qi is derived from a fusion of three 3 factors: these include the energy that came from the water and food we take in through the digestive system, the air we breathe that passes through the lungs, and from our kidneys. Qi flows within all over the body and when it circulates unimpeded our body stays in good health.

Effective and safe, acupuncture helps bring back the proper flow of this life force. It has no side effects whatsoever. A large number of patients swear that acupuncture has given them a sense of relief physically, mentally, and for some, even spiritually. In this regard I will tell you a story a friend told me some years ago. My friend had a case of sinusitis that was so severe no amount of allopathic treatments helped him overcome his distress. Another friend recommended he try acupuncture. After just one treatment my friend was able to recover. What’s more, his sickness never returned.

After being inserted into the skin, needles may dispel the false notion that this process is full of pain.

Acupuncture is indeed practically a pain-free treatment. You might feel some electrical pulsations, numbness, or tingling, in parts of the body away from the site from of treatment. This means that the treatment is working. These sensations leave one the needles are removed. The needles used in an acupuncture procedure are small unlike conventional hypodermic needles. They are not hollow and cannot be used to draw blood. One needs to understand that in acupuncture, medicine and drugs are entirely obviated as the treatment involves an attempt to activate the resistance mechanism of the body. And as mentioned before, there are no side effects to this treatment.

In the West, acupuncture is a science that requires further study. It needs to be explained by scientists that can connect it to current medical practice and thought. The popularity of acupuncture will only rise due to its efficacy and safeness.

Scott Paglia is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist in Bellingham, WA and provides master level pulse diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in Whatcom County, WA.