| How does acupuncture
work? |
According
to Chinese wisdom, the mechanism of action of acupuncture
was based on a model of physiology of the body, unfamiliar
to western science. It envisions the body to be traversed
by multiple channels (meridians), which connect different
parts of the body and the different organs (making it possible
for them to constantly communicate for maintenance of balance,
thus promoting health), through which life energy (Qi –
pronounced as Chi) flows. The disease processes may affect
the meridians and or the organs, causing abnormal flow of
the Qi, and disruption of the healthy communications. The
insertion of the needles at precise points tend to remove
abnormalities in the meridians, and the organs, thereby
restoring the normal flow of Qi, and thus the normal physiology.
Western Science has discovered that the insertion of
the acupuncture needles in acupuncture points, cause profound
change in human physiology including propagation of nerve
impulses, elaborations of many neuro-chemicals including
Endorphin (the most potent pain killer known to humanity),
Cortisone, Serotonin etc. These lead to pain relief, improved
circulation, enhanced immunity, and improved functioning
of the organs, utilizing the body’s own resources.
Please understand that just because
the western science has not yet discovered the meridians
and the illusive Qi, the Chinese belief of the acupuncture
physiology is invalid. As the research is progressing,
in many instances, the assertion made in ancient acupuncture
texts are turning out to be true.
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