What Are The Mechanisms Of Acupuncture And Its Effects?
Acupuncture is well known for its benefit in relieving pain. Recent medical advances in neurophysiology indicate that acupuncture has the ability to increase the body's level of endorphin (naturally produced body’s morphine) in the bloodstream. Acupuncture needling stimulates the release of body morphine-like substance to alleviate pain.
Other popular neurological explanation is based on the “Gate Control Theory” developed by R. Melzack and P. Wall in 1965. According to this theory, the pain perception is controlled by a functional gate (or gates) within the central nervous system. Normally, this gate is wide open for pain impulses through the small diameter nerve fibers. But when acupuncture needling is applied, a second stream of non-painful impulses is set up from the site of needling through the large diameter nerve fibers. The result is overcrowding or jamming the gate causing it to close. In other words, there is competitive inhibition of the pain impulses and no pain (or less pain) is felt, even during a surgical operation.
Therefore, the effects observed on acupuncture needling are:
Analgesic (pain relieving) effect.
Analgesic (pain relieving) effect which is achieved by raising the pain threshold.
Sedative effect.
Sedative effect (by needling specific acupuncture points) which is utilized in treatment of insomnia, anxiety states, addictions, epilepsies, mental disorders and behavioural problems.
Homeostatic or regulatory effect.
Homeostatic or regulatory effect is achieved by adjustment of the internal environment of the body towards a state of normal balance.
Immune-enhancing effect.
Immune-enhancing effect of acupuncture is elicited by strengthening the body resistance to disease. This has been shown to be due to a two to four fold increase in antibody titers has been observed.
Psychological effect.
Psychological effect is observed by calming and tranquilizing action apart from mere sedation.
Motor recovery effect.
Motor recovery effect is hastened by acupuncture in patients who become paralysed from some cause or another.
