| How acupuncture works Almost everyone has experienced it: a stabbing pain in the lower back. Medically, this condition is referred to as "lumbago." By positioning a few acupuncture needles in the hand, the pain disappears within minutes. Not even cortisone injections have this kind of effect. How is that possible? People used to think that acupuncture works like a massage - that it temporarily relieves pain by stimulating pain zones on the skin. Some considered it to be a suggestion therapy or spoke of a placebo effect. However, such explanations are inadequate because acupuncture also works with animals. Today there are already sound answers to the three main questions regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture. How does pain originate? How can acupuncture relieve ailments? What happens during an acupuncture treatment session? How does pain originate? According to the teachings of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), all illnesses and disorders are due to disruptions to the flow of the life energy Chi. Chi flows through the body and enables all functions - from breathing and muscle movement, to digestion and the immune system. An obstruction in this flow of energy can lead to too much or too little Chi in a particular area. This, in turn, can result in health disorders such as pain (see Chinese Diagnostics). This phenomenon can also be explained in Western medicine through physiological processes. When a person or animal experiences pain, pain receptors (nociceptors) in the tissues are stimulated. They convert the pain into electrical impulses that are then passed on to the spinal cord via nerve fibers (neuronal transmission). Once there, they affect special cells found in the back of the spinal cord (posterior horn neurons). The electrical message is passed via the long nerve fibers of the spinal cord, first to the interbrain and then to the cerebrum. The main targets for dampening pain are usually the coordination points between the nerve fibers, referred to as "synapses." Either the area directly in front of a coordination point is targeted (pre-synaptic) or the area directly after it (post-synaptic). These three "stations" along the route of pain transmission are responsible for different things: In the spinal cord, pain can be modified or even blocked. In the interbrain, pain is individually and emotionally analyzed (e.g. is it a harmless bump or is something broken?). Finally, in the cerebrum, pain is precisely localized. How can acupuncture relieve ailments? According to the Chinese school of thought, life energy Chi flows through the body via defined energy channels called "meridians." Energy flow can be regulated by stimulating the acupuncture points along the meridians. Too much energy is dampened, shortages are rectified and blockages removed. The doctor uses acupuncture needles to stimulate precisely the point that is connected to the painful body part via meridians. The stimulation releases impulses that are transmitted to posterior horn neurons via nerve fibers connected to the synapses. This reduces or even blocks their electrical excitability, thereby influencing the perception of pain. The mechanisms thus set into motion can be scientifically explained today, at least in terms of treating pain (the explanation is probably similar for other acupuncture applications). According to relevant studies, each of the three "stations" of pain transmission also plays a specific role in the acupunctural dampening of pain. In the spinal cord endorphins are distributed (specifically, enkephalin and dynorphin), which suppress pain transmission pre-synoptically (before a coordinating point between nerve fibers). The monoamines, serotonin and norepinephrine, are released in the midbrain. They operate pre- and post-synoptically in inhibiting pain transmission. In the interbrain (hypothalamus-pituitary gland system) endorphins are also produced as well as ACTH (a cortisol). The ACTH is transported to the suprarenal glands, where it causes the release of cortisol. A doctor can also directly influence the action by stimulating the set acupuncture needle. In this way, two mechanisms are working parallel to one another: On the one hand, the source of the pain information to the brain is wholly or partially suppressed. On the other hand, the secretion of bodily hormones and substances has a calming effect and stimulates the immune system. This last point may explain why even infections, vegetative disorders and allergies (even bronchospasms) can be effectively treated with acupuncture - without any negative side effects. In the future, it is certain that further effects of acupuncture will be discovered - new discoveries come to light almost daily. We will keep you regularly informed on such developments on our Studies page under the heading "Information for doctors." What happens during an acupuncture treatment session? During an acupuncture session, the patient lies relaxed on a couch. After ascertaining the patient's medical history, the doctor determines the relevant acupuncture points. The acupuncture needles are set into these points and stimulated where necessary. Insertion of the needles is virtually painless, when done professionally. Only sterile, high quality, disposable needles are used (see section on Instruments). Often, a slight feeling of heaviness, warmth or pressure follows. In exceptional cases, the patient may also experience a slight feeling of "electrification." After a few minutes, the body relaxes. Arms and legs feel heavier. Many patients report a "feeling of flowing" in the body - starting in the head and chest, and moving down to the lower body regions - which gains strength during subsequent sessions. These sensations are interpreted by the Chinese as an expression of Chi flow. It is beneficial for the success of the therapy if the patient breathes deeply, calmly and "lets go." This supplies the body with more oxygen and releases tension. Part of this relaxation can be accompanied with feelings of trembling, tickling, cold or heat, or dizziness. Sometimes emotions come up such as sadness, anger or agitation. Patients should allow these thoughts and emotions to "glide over" them and instead concentrate on the pain "drifting away." Acupuncture sessions are repeated relatively often for acute illnesses (up to once a day) and for chronic illnesses, usually twice a week (for 6 to 10 weeks). A session takes between 20 and 45 minutes. Generally acute illnesses require 3 to 6 sessions and chronic illnesses between 12 and 20 sessions. Refresher treatment may be necessary.