Acupuncture beyond Ying and Yang, Qi and meridians.

Acupuncture refers to the procedure that the thin needles are inserted into the body. It originated from China and is a type of Chinese medicine and is also recognised as an alternative medicine in western countries. Chinese acupuncture is based at traditional Chinese medicine theory: Ying and Yang balance and Qi circulation along the meridians.

Acupuncture was expanded internationally to Korea ,Vietnam and Japan in Asian and then to Europe and America. The techniques were developed such as electrified needling, fire needling and cluster needling etc. It also developed combined with other therapists such as dry needling and medical acupuncture.

Based on advanced science and research, new theory about how acupuncture works also established. Many studies in animals and humans have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses. These responses can occur locally, i.e., at or close to the site of application, or at a distance, mediated mainly by sensory neurons to many structures within the central nervous system. This can lead to activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain as well as in the periphery. Endogenous opioids in acupuncture analgesia is well established. opioid peptides are released during acupuncture and that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are at least partially explained by their actions. That opioid antagonists such as naloxone reverse the analgesic effects of acupuncture further strengthens this hypothesis. Stimulation by acupuncture may also activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally, have been documented. There is also evidence that there are alterations in immune functions produced by acupuncture. Which of these and other physiological changes mediate clinical effects is at present unclear.

References

https://www.medicinenet.com/acupuncture/article.htm#how_does_acupuncture_work