“How does acupuncture relieve pain?”
I am a 37 year old female. I want to know how does acupuncture relieve pain?
18 Answers
Stop by for a visit and we can talk about that for the next 4 years
jungmin ahn
Acupuncturist
Part 1. Increase circulation by un-pinching
If you experience pain, there may be poor circulation in that area. When we have good circulation, we do not experience pain. Therefore, the key to pain relief lies in making our circulation better.
I. Think about the pinched water hose
When the water hose gets pinched or folded in some area, the water doesn’t flow due to the blockage. Instead, it builds up water pressure above the pinched area. However, if we correct the hose, it will flow well instantly (unless the hose is physically damaged). The same thing applies to our bodies. Once we correct the pinching on muscles, ligaments, or nerves, we can experience instant relief from pain.
II. Less swelling means better circulation
Swelling plays a big role in pain. As you can see in the picture, swelling pushes the nerve. When we use acupuncture to reduce swelling, we insert acupuncture needles to reduce the internal pressure caused by swelling. It’s similar to letting air out of a tire or balloon. When there is less or no swelling, the nerve is left unbothered, which in turn means less or no pain.
Part 2. Send a signal to the brain
The brain controls the function of the entire human body. It gathers information from the innermost and outermost parts of our body. If your pain turns into a chronic condition, the brain does not pay attention. It can be compared to people disregarding emails that are not a priority to read.
I. Creating a signal to get the brain’s attention
Acupuncture needles bring your brain’s attention to the problem and “order” the brain to check the situation out. The needles will increase blood flow to the affected area. The red blood cells will release oxygen and nutrients, the white blood cells will combat any pathogens and the lymph will collect and move any waste.
II. Redirecting a traffic jam
If you’ve ever been driving home and passed an accident, have you seen how fire trucks can block a whole lane? Similarly, when our body sends too much blood in one direction through one pathway, it can cause a little traffic jam in our body and creates swelling. We need to redirect it by using acupuncture or acupressure. The biggest thing to remember is that our body is interconnected. Have you ever heard of ear, hand acupuncture, or foot reflexology? Those are just some examples of how each system has its own unit and “little body”. For example, if you take ahead of broccoli and cut it into smaller pieces, you’re left with smaller pieces of broccoli that look whole or like a miniature version of the original. Each system has its own structure. Even a single cell in our body contains so much of our DNA to make us who we are. We insert acupuncture needles into digital points associated with the area experiencing pain.
Jungmin Ahn
If you experience pain, there may be poor circulation in that area. When we have good circulation, we do not experience pain. Therefore, the key to pain relief lies in making our circulation better.
I. Think about the pinched water hose
When the water hose gets pinched or folded in some area, the water doesn’t flow due to the blockage. Instead, it builds up water pressure above the pinched area. However, if we correct the hose, it will flow well instantly (unless the hose is physically damaged). The same thing applies to our bodies. Once we correct the pinching on muscles, ligaments, or nerves, we can experience instant relief from pain.
II. Less swelling means better circulation
Swelling plays a big role in pain. As you can see in the picture, swelling pushes the nerve. When we use acupuncture to reduce swelling, we insert acupuncture needles to reduce the internal pressure caused by swelling. It’s similar to letting air out of a tire or balloon. When there is less or no swelling, the nerve is left unbothered, which in turn means less or no pain.
Part 2. Send a signal to the brain
The brain controls the function of the entire human body. It gathers information from the innermost and outermost parts of our body. If your pain turns into a chronic condition, the brain does not pay attention. It can be compared to people disregarding emails that are not a priority to read.
I. Creating a signal to get the brain’s attention
Acupuncture needles bring your brain’s attention to the problem and “order” the brain to check the situation out. The needles will increase blood flow to the affected area. The red blood cells will release oxygen and nutrients, the white blood cells will combat any pathogens and the lymph will collect and move any waste.
II. Redirecting a traffic jam
If you’ve ever been driving home and passed an accident, have you seen how fire trucks can block a whole lane? Similarly, when our body sends too much blood in one direction through one pathway, it can cause a little traffic jam in our body and creates swelling. We need to redirect it by using acupuncture or acupressure. The biggest thing to remember is that our body is interconnected. Have you ever heard of ear, hand acupuncture, or foot reflexology? Those are just some examples of how each system has its own unit and “little body”. For example, if you take ahead of broccoli and cut it into smaller pieces, you’re left with smaller pieces of broccoli that look whole or like a miniature version of the original. Each system has its own structure. Even a single cell in our body contains so much of our DNA to make us who we are. We insert acupuncture needles into digital points associated with the area experiencing pain.
Jungmin Ahn
Pain is a blockage. When we eliminate blockage pain decreases or goes away.
It takes down inflammation and helps to get the circulation blood flow moving again.
Actually, by insertion of needles in known points, it triggers some mechanism that guides the body healing force to do some action toward healing and lowering down the inflammation of target points, results in bringing down the inflammation and pain and start the healing process
Research has shown that in traditional acupuncture, such as in Chinese or Japanese type acupuncture, the insertion of extremely fine needles at specific areas or points on the body may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing chemicals, and by stimulating the area of the brain that modulates the mood chemical - serotonin.
You know, I went through 4 years of a masters program, and I still don't know how it relieves pain. But it's not about nerves and it's not about endorphins. It's about balancing your body's energy. Sorry I couldn't be more specific.
Acupuncture is great for quieting pain and reducing swelling and inflammation. You may not see immediate results but many of my patients do after one treatment. Not everyone responds that quickly, as you may need to come for several weeks before you see improvement. How well or how quickly you respond may depend upon many factors.
Proper nutrition, sleep and exercise affect pain levels significantly. Extra body weight can increase pain levels because excess weight can add stress to bones/muscles/tendons. If there is an untreated medical condition that is responsible for your pain, you may need to evaluate, along with your doctor, the best course of treatment for you. You may need to get tests, blood labs taken to find out the western diagnosis of your condition. Armed with the correct health information from your doctor(s), acupuncturists work to formulate a Chinese medical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms and tongue and pulse diagnosis. You may need to look at your work station, if you work at a computer and how it affects your body mechanics=pain. You may need to change your footwear to something more supportive/comfortable. I would strongly suggest doing regular stretching/yoga/tai chi daily to loosen muscles/tendons and strengthen them. Meditation can also help pain immensely, as learning to listen to your body and respond to its needs is key to learning how to fix or address your issues. Avoiding stress as much as humanly possible will also help to alleviate pain or at least not contribute to it. Good luck!!!
Proper nutrition, sleep and exercise affect pain levels significantly. Extra body weight can increase pain levels because excess weight can add stress to bones/muscles/tendons. If there is an untreated medical condition that is responsible for your pain, you may need to evaluate, along with your doctor, the best course of treatment for you. You may need to get tests, blood labs taken to find out the western diagnosis of your condition. Armed with the correct health information from your doctor(s), acupuncturists work to formulate a Chinese medical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms and tongue and pulse diagnosis. You may need to look at your work station, if you work at a computer and how it affects your body mechanics=pain. You may need to change your footwear to something more supportive/comfortable. I would strongly suggest doing regular stretching/yoga/tai chi daily to loosen muscles/tendons and strengthen them. Meditation can also help pain immensely, as learning to listen to your body and respond to its needs is key to learning how to fix or address your issues. Avoiding stress as much as humanly possible will also help to alleviate pain or at least not contribute to it. Good luck!!!
Yes, acupuncture, massage, and herbs with heat can relieve pain.
The needles release endorphins in the body which are painkillers...in addition, they bring Qi and blood to the area to help with healing. There are 14 different channels that run up and down the body that can become blocked, which can cause pain. The needles unblock these channels and restore an even flow of energy between the channels
I hope this was helpful.
Mary Hills, DACM, LAc
I hope this was helpful.
Mary Hills, DACM, LAc
Hello! Yes it does!
Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo
Acupuncturist
I wish I knew to tell you. Science has yet to determine how acupuncture works.
increases circulation and moves out stagnation
In terms of pathogenesis, the ancients believed that if the internal organs, meridians, and qi & blood of the human body are not smooth, it is the root cause of pain. Therefore, it is necessary to clear the meridians and reconcile the internal organs during treatment to achieve the qi and blood circulation and the pain can be stopped. acupuncture has this effect.
There are 2 ways in which acupuncture works to alleviate pain: through the root treatment, and through local treatment.
The root treatment is the most effective way to alleviate pain long term. The root treatment works with the reason why you're feeling pain. We believe that the body has the ability to heal itself. If it can't, then that means something is off and must be resolved to get you back on the path of healing. For example, say you had gotten into a car accident that resulted in whiplash. Your body should be able to resolve the muscle spasm on it's own. If it can't, the root cause of the pain in your neck may not be the whiplash, but the actual trauma from the accident. Treating the trauma will allow your body to heal itself again, leaving you permanently pain free.
Local treatment is what provides more immediate, short term relief. This includes techniques like cupping, electrical stimulation, or dry needling. Using the whiplash analogy again, local treatment will work specifically with the muscle tension and spasms.
The root treatment is the most effective way to alleviate pain long term. The root treatment works with the reason why you're feeling pain. We believe that the body has the ability to heal itself. If it can't, then that means something is off and must be resolved to get you back on the path of healing. For example, say you had gotten into a car accident that resulted in whiplash. Your body should be able to resolve the muscle spasm on it's own. If it can't, the root cause of the pain in your neck may not be the whiplash, but the actual trauma from the accident. Treating the trauma will allow your body to heal itself again, leaving you permanently pain free.
Local treatment is what provides more immediate, short term relief. This includes techniques like cupping, electrical stimulation, or dry needling. Using the whiplash analogy again, local treatment will work specifically with the muscle tension and spasms.
Most of the acupuncture researches done in the USA is efficacy for pain relief. The result is very encouraging. Therefore, military hospitals throughout the country provide free acupuncture for veterans. However, veterans need their doctors to write a referral. I have seen so many veterans; 90 % of people are beneficial for pain, PTSD, and other underline conditions.
Yes. Acupuncture is excellent for pain management.
Great question - there are probably a lot of things going on when we talk about acupuncture's pain relieving effects.
1. For a long time we've known that acupuncture stimulates the release of endogenous opiate peptides. These are protein molecules, released in the brain and central nervous system that diminish pain signals coming from the limbs and trunk. We also now have fMRI studies that show acupuncture increases binding sites for endogenous opiates.
2. We also have several studies showing acupuncture regulates a set of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord that are involved in the propagation of sensory signaling.
3. Finally, we have fMRI studies showing acupuncture changes the way the prefrontal cortex of the brain deals with pain signaling.
In addition to these changes, acupuncture increases blood NO concentrations which dilates blood vessels and provides more fluid flow through injured areas, down-regulates the immune system through its impact in interleukins, prostaglandins and cytokines and generally puts the body in to "rest and digest" mode by promoting the parasympathetic side of the autonomic nervous system.
Taken together these effects reduce pain, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Lastly, we have some interesting studies showing acupuncture, especially electroacupuncture, stimulates the production of stem cells.
In short, there are a lot of biological effects that can arise as a result of acupuncture, which is why you want to make sure you're seeing a well-trained, board certified and state licensed acupuncturist. These folks are in the best position to diagnose and choose the proper treatment for your issue. If you're outside CA, you can go to the "Find a Practitioner" link at NCCAOM.org to get a list of local providers.
1. For a long time we've known that acupuncture stimulates the release of endogenous opiate peptides. These are protein molecules, released in the brain and central nervous system that diminish pain signals coming from the limbs and trunk. We also now have fMRI studies that show acupuncture increases binding sites for endogenous opiates.
2. We also have several studies showing acupuncture regulates a set of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord that are involved in the propagation of sensory signaling.
3. Finally, we have fMRI studies showing acupuncture changes the way the prefrontal cortex of the brain deals with pain signaling.
In addition to these changes, acupuncture increases blood NO concentrations which dilates blood vessels and provides more fluid flow through injured areas, down-regulates the immune system through its impact in interleukins, prostaglandins and cytokines and generally puts the body in to "rest and digest" mode by promoting the parasympathetic side of the autonomic nervous system.
Taken together these effects reduce pain, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Lastly, we have some interesting studies showing acupuncture, especially electroacupuncture, stimulates the production of stem cells.
In short, there are a lot of biological effects that can arise as a result of acupuncture, which is why you want to make sure you're seeing a well-trained, board certified and state licensed acupuncturist. These folks are in the best position to diagnose and choose the proper treatment for your issue. If you're outside CA, you can go to the "Find a Practitioner" link at NCCAOM.org to get a list of local providers.
