Ep. 12: Exploring the Science of How Acupuncture Works

Today on the podcast I’m answering another frequently asked question about acupuncture: How does it work? Now, I love talking about qi and meridians and Chinese Medicine theory, but today’s show is all about exploring the science of acupuncture.

Patients know that acupuncture works, and researchers are keen to understand its physiological effects on the body, so acupuncture has been extensively studied, to help scientists and doctors understand how and why it works. In this episode, I’ll talk you through the scientific research in a few key areas. Specifically, acupuncture has been shown to:

1. Increase blood flow in key arteries and improve circulation throughout the body

2. Reduce inflammation

3. Regulate the nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which encompasses sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) modes

4. Increase endorphins, our body’s natural painkillers and “feel-good” chemicals

5. Regulate the endocrine system, including blocking chronic, stress-induced elevations of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones

6. Modulate brain waves

The physiological effects are well-researched and documented. So the next time someone tells you acupuncture is unscientific…just have them listen to this episode.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist

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Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!

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References:

Evaluation of the Effects of Acupuncture on Blood Flow in Humans with Ultrasound Color Doppler Imaging: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3388479/

The Effects of Acupuncture on Cerebral Blood Flow in Post-Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial :https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4739128/

Acupuncture enhances generation of nitric oxide and increases local circulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242084/

The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture from Acupoint to Target Organs via Neuro-Immune Regulation: https://www.dovepress.com/the-anti-inflammatory-actions-and-mechanisms-of-acupuncture-from-acupo-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JIR

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture at ST36 Point: A Literature Review in Animal Studies: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.813748/full

Acupuncture and Related Techniques for Pain Relief and Treatment of Heroin Addiction: Mechanisms and Clinical Application: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7755848/

Acupuncture and Endorphins: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15135942/

Series of studies first to examine acupuncture's mechanisms of action: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/676751

Deqi Induction by HT7 Acupuncture Alters Theta and Alpha Band Coherence in Human Healthy Subjects: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/7107136/

Impacts of acupuncture at twelve meridians acupoints on brain waves of patients with general anxiety disorder: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23885609/