| According to Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture works by applying a thin needle to an acupuncture point located along the meridian - a channel like structure. Each of 14 meridians controls a set of physiological functions of corresponding internal organs throughout the body. Acupuncture achieves its effect by regulating "Qi" movement in the meridian. "Qi" is a conceptual energy substance that travels in the meridians to influence the functions of internal organs. Disruption of Qi movement and abnormally high and low of Qi are used to explain the symptoms or diseases. Similarly, by up-regulating or down-regulating the functions of internal organs through "Qi", acupuncture achieves its therapeutic aims and correct the imbalance. |
How Acupuncture Works
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Acupuncture & Natural Medicine Dr. Peng in Bethesda and Rockville |
Reduce inflammation and pain
Insertion of needles leads to attraction of immune cells to the
acupuncture points through chemotactic process as part of wound
healing mechanism. The immune cells then release significant
amount of anti-inflammatory proteins-leading to reduce the
inflammation. As many pain symptoms are the result of
inflammation such as low back pain and joint arthritis, the
needle-induced anti-inflammatory activity reduce the pain.
Balancing nerve systems by acting on
parasympathetic nerve
Many symptoms that acupuncture can treat are the result of
imbalance of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Symptoms
such as stress/anxiety, nausea/vomiting, abdominal bloating are
the result of hyperactive sympathetic or hypoactive
parasympathetic nerves (vagus nerve). Acupuncture on a number
of acupuncture points stimulate vagus nerve to rebalance the
nerve systems.
Act on peripheral nerves to influence central nerve
system and treat peripheral nerve abnormality
Applying needles to acupuncture points stimulates peripheral nerve
activity, which in turns to act on brain. In neural sciences, more
than 60 studies using MRI imaging approach have demonstrated
different acupuncture points could activate different brain regions,
implying its contribution to treat pain, stress, migraine, insomnia,
and parkinson's diseases. Also, acupuncture can be used correct
abnormality of peripheral nerves to treat diseases including
peripheral neuropathy and shingles.
Insertion of needles leads to attraction of immune cells to the
acupuncture points through chemotactic process as part of wound
healing mechanism. The immune cells then release significant
amount of anti-inflammatory proteins-leading to reduce the
inflammation. As many pain symptoms are the result of
inflammation such as low back pain and joint arthritis, the
needle-induced anti-inflammatory activity reduce the pain.
Balancing nerve systems by acting on
parasympathetic nerve
Many symptoms that acupuncture can treat are the result of
imbalance of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Symptoms
such as stress/anxiety, nausea/vomiting, abdominal bloating are
the result of hyperactive sympathetic or hypoactive
parasympathetic nerves (vagus nerve). Acupuncture on a number
of acupuncture points stimulate vagus nerve to rebalance the
nerve systems.
Act on peripheral nerves to influence central nerve
system and treat peripheral nerve abnormality
Applying needles to acupuncture points stimulates peripheral nerve
activity, which in turns to act on brain. In neural sciences, more
than 60 studies using MRI imaging approach have demonstrated
different acupuncture points could activate different brain regions,
implying its contribution to treat pain, stress, migraine, insomnia,
and parkinson's diseases. Also, acupuncture can be used correct
abnormality of peripheral nerves to treat diseases including
peripheral neuropathy and shingles.