In Western scientific terms, acupuncture works by stimulating the brain and spinal cord to produce natural chemicals in the body. These chemicals include endorphins to relieve pain, melatonin to encourage sleep, and serotonin to enhance feelings of well-being, therefore assisting in the body’s natural healing process. Quality research supports the effectiveness of acupuncture, particularly in the management of pain, and its effectiveness in the treatment of low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and knee osteoarthritis. By treating the root cause of the illness and not just the symptoms, acupuncture helps to restore balance to the body’s natural energy systems. In traditional theory, the body’s Qi (life force energy) must be balanced in order to promote a healthy mind, body and spirit. Acupuncture helps to regulate and harmonise the body’s Qi through the insertion of fine sterilized needles into specific acupuncture points around the body. This alleviates many symptoms and stimulates the body to help restore its natural balance. Many people have acupuncture treatment to help with a specific condition/symptom or simply because they feel ‘unwell’ in themselves.
