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Acupuncture                                                                                                                                                                                                

Practised in the east for centuries and in recent years has become an increasingly popular treatment in the UK.

 

Acupuncture originated in China and is most commonly associated with traditional Chinese medicine - TCM. According to Chinese philosophy, health is dependent on the body's motivating energy (Qi - pronounced chee) moving in a smooth and balanced way through these meridians. If this becomes unbalanced then illness may result.

 

Acupuncture has been a subject of active scientific research since the late 20th century, its effects are not well-understood, and it remains controversial among researchers and clinicians. [1] The body of evidence remains inconclusive but is active and growing, and a 2007 review led by Professor of Complementary Medicine Edzard Ernst finds that the "emerging clinical evidence” seems to imply that acupuncture is effective for some but not all conditions.

 

Acupuncture involves using fine needles to stimulate invisible lines of energy - known as meridians - running beneath the surface of the body. By inserting fine needles the acupuncturist attempts to stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore natural balance. This is based on the theory that applying pressure or stimulation to specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points, in may relieve pain, cure or assist in curing certain illness’s as well as promoting wellness.

 

The needles are rotated, twirled, and may be accompanied by a weak electrical current, they are often left in the body for several minutes, and sometimes longer. The acupuncturist may also apply heat and finger pressure in an attempt to alter the flow of qi (the body's motivating energy qi - pronounced chee).

 

Little or no pain is felt - the person may experience sensations of warmth, a tingling, and / or heaviness.

 

As well as attempting to restore the flow of energy by the use of acupuncture needle acupuncture may:

• Reduce pain by triggering the release of endorphins. (reducing perception of pain).
• Stimulate the release of ACTH. (assists in combating inflammation).   

 

 

 

1. Ernst, Edzard (2006-02). "Acupuncture - a critical analysis". Journal of Internal Medicine 259 (2): 125–137. doi:10.1111/j.1365–2796.2005.01584.x. PMID 16420542. Retrieved on 8 April 2008.

 

 

Endorphins are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function to transmit electrical signals within the nervous system. At least 20 types of endorphins have been demonstrated in humans. Endorphins can be found in the pituitary gland, in other parts of the brain, or distributed throughout the nervous system. Stress and pain are the two most common factors leading to the release of endorphins. Endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain. In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.

 

ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) a hormone that is produced in and released from the pituitary gland. ACTH is normally released from the pituitary in response to stimulation with corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), a hormone produced in the hypothalamic region of the brain during various types of stress or pain. The principal action of ACTH is to stimulate the synthesis and release of steroid hormones from the adrenal glands. ACTH is the principal modulator of cortisol, the most important steroid hormone in man.

 

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