Acupuncture is an ancient therapy from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been around for thousands of years. It has also been studied in modern biomedical research more recently in th. I get a lot of questions as to how it works so here’s how it’s understood from both perspectives:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) View
- Acupuncture is based on the concept of QI (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, which flows through pathways in the body called meridians.
- Illness or pain is thought to arise when qi is blocked or imbalanced.
- Inserting very fine needles into specific points along the meridians is believed to restore balance and improve the flow of qi, promoting healing and well-being.
Modern Biomedical View
1. Mechanoreceptors (touch & pressure-sensitive nerve endings)
- Stimulation by needles activates mechanoreceptors in the skin, muscles, and connective tissue.
- This triggers afferent nerve signaling to the spinal cord and brain, modulating sensory input.
- Can lead to gating of pain signals (similar to the Gate Control Theory), reducing the perception of pain.
- Enhances proprioceptive feedback, potentially improving motor control and muscle relaxation.
2. Nociceptors (pain-sensitive nerve endings)
- Acupuncture needles can stimulate nociceptors in a controlled, mild way, leading to:
- Endogenous opioid release (endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins), which naturally reduce pain.
- Activation of descending inhibitory pathways in the central nervous system that dampen pain transmission.
- Over time, repeated stimulation can desensitize overactive nociceptors, helping with chronic pain conditions.
3. Blood Flow (microcirculation and vascular response)
- Needle insertion induces local vasodilation, often mediated by nitric oxide release.
- Improves microcirculation at the needled site, enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery and clearing metabolic waste.
- Increased blood flow supports tissue repair, reduced inflammation, and muscle recovery.
- Systemically, acupuncture may improve autonomic regulation, balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, which can optimize circulation more broadly.
✅ Overall Benefits:
By engaging mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and vascular responses, acupuncture may:
- Relieve pain (acute and chronic)
- Reduce muscle tension
- Improve circulation and healing
- Regulate nervous system activity (stress, anxiety, sleep)
- Support recovery in musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions
✅ Some common conditions it helps:
- acute & chronic neck & low back pain
- headaches
- tendinopathies (golfers, tennis)
- acute discs
- restricted muscle conditions (trigger points, myofascial pain syndrome)
At MH Health we use a combination of modern and traditional techniques to help maximize your recovery and wellbeing. This is called Contemporary Medical Acupuncture (McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program)
