ACUPUNCTURE Developed by the Chinese more than 4000 years ago, the ancient practice of acupuncture has been revived and improved in the last century. It is both a science and an art. Some basic effects of acupuncture include Pain relief, immunity regulation, nervous system effects and specic symptom relief e.g. vomiting or coughing. There are two different schools of thought as to how this potentially very effective therapy works. 1. The “Eastern” approach – this ancient science describes inter-connected energy channels throughout the body, connecting different “body systems”, called meridians. In a healthy body there is a continuous ow of energy, or Qi, within these meridians. In order for the body to stay healthy, there must be balance within this system, and with the body's heating and cooling systems. Acupuncture is based on the theory that blockages or deciencies result in imbalances causing disease and pain. Acupuncture releases or tonies respectively. 2. The more modern “Western” thinking aligns most of these meridians anatomically with nerve pathways and blood vessels. The special needles used stimulate blood ow and nerve conduction, relieve muscle spasm, and stimulate the release of various hormones, including endorphins, enkephalins and serotonin, to heal the body and alleviate pain. 3. Specic points along the meridians are used as acupuncture points. “Eastern” theories believe these points are foci of high energy density (or concentrated Qi). Research has shown that they very often correlate anatomically with a high density of free nerve endings, arterioles, lymphatic vessels and mast cells. There is also a proven measurable increase in electrical conductivity at these sites. There are various methods to stimulate the acupuncture points including: 1. Dry needling – using special acupuncture needles inserted into the points 2. Aquapuncture – Injection of a uid into acupuncture sites e.g. saline, Vit B, homeopathy 3. Electro-acupuncture – this is a more advanced technique whereby a machine, via leads, is