Discover the Truth Behind This Ancient Therapy | Art of Acupuncture
Does acupuncture really work? If you have the same question, you’ve landed on the right page.
No, we are not starting this blog in a formal way by discussing yin-yang theory, Chinese terms, or the philosophies of acupuncture.
But yes, you’ll find the answer to your question—does acupuncture really work?—and you may fall in love with acupuncture by the end of this blog.
Why does every acupuncture practitioner focus more on general health than on disease?
To simplify, let’s assume our body has two types of energies, or consider that every body hosts two groups of bacteria: good bacteria and bad bacteria.
If the good bacteria are higher in the body, then the person will be healthy. But if the bad bacteria increase in the body, the person will become sick.
Antibiotics cannot differentiate between beneficial and harmful bacteria, so they eliminate both in order to prevent disease in specific areas of the body.
Acupuncture practitioners focus on increasing beneficial bacteria in the body to combat disease, instead of eliminating all bacteria like antibiotics do.
- Acupuncture does not directly act on bacteria. Rather, it enhances organ function by stimulating specific meridians, which will be discussed below.
- Like other medical systems, acupuncture has limitations. For acute diseases, antibiotics or modern medicine are recommended, while chronic conditions are better managed with natural healing methods such as acupuncture. but there are some conditions like nausea after chemotherapy and migraines show better results with acupuncture, even though they are acute
Where Does Acupuncture Work in the Body and How?
- Do you remember feeling a burning sensation on the lower layer of your skin when you fall down?
- Yeah, that is a place where an acupuncture meridian is in your body.
- Meridian is not a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic pathway.
- Acupuncture meridians are channels of energy flowing throughout the body, containing specific points that practitioners stimulate to increase energy flow or remove blockages along these pathways.
- Every channel is connected to an organ, so when a practitioner stimulates a channel with an acupuncture needle, it improves the function of that organ
- Acupuncture meridians cannot be seen with the naked eye, but they can be felt with the help of experienced practitioners.
- many people experience sensations known as “deqi.” This can feel like numbness, tingling, dull ache, heaviness, warmth, or a spreading sensation under the skin.
How is energy received by the acupuncture needle?
When an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin, the needle acts as an antenna, receiving electromagnetic energy from the cosmos and transferring it to the meridian in the body.
How many Acupuncture meridians in human body
There are 12 meridians running bilaterally through both the hands and legs.
Yin Meridians (Nourishing, Internal)
Lung Meridian (LU) – Hand Taiyin
Heart Meridian (HT) – Hand Shaoyin
Pericardium Meridian (PC) – Hand Jueyin
Spleen Meridian (SP) – Foot Taiyin
Kidney Meridian (KI) – Foot Shaoyin
Liver Meridian (LV) – Foot Jueyin
Yang Meridians (Protective, External)
Large Intestine Meridian (LI) – Hand Yangming
Small Intestine Meridian (SI) – Hand Taiyang
San Jiao Meridian (SJ or TB) – Hand Shaoyang
Stomach Meridian (ST) – Foot Yangming
Bladder Meridian (BL or UB) – Foot Taiyang
Gallbladder Meridian (GB) – Foot Shaoyang
There are some extra meridians in Acupuncture but i wont make it complicated to understand but we should know about another two meredian which are not connected to organs but manages all other meridians in the body
- Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) – Runs along the midline of the front of the body, from the perineum up to the chin – Controller of 6 yin meridians.
- Du Mai (Governing Vessel) – Runs along the midline of the back, from the perineum up the spine, over the head, to the upper lip – Controller of 6 yang meridians.
I believe we’ve covered some acupuncture basics. Now, let’s explore its fundamental philosophy, which can also benefit our lives.
Have you seen this symbol anywhere and wondered what it is?
this is the symbol of YIN – YANG , Are you ready to understand the yin-yang theory?.
Yin Yang Theory
- Yin and yang represent a balance between two equal and opposite energies that cannot be separated.
- We can classify everything in the universe within yin and yang.
- Yin is associated with the dark side—slow, safe, soft, and feminine—while yang corresponds to the bright side—rigid and masculine.
- Consider the red column as yang and the blue column as yin. If both are equal, they are balanced. If yang exceeds, then yin will be deficient, and vice versa. To balance excess yang, we need to increase yin
- i have not touched the depth of yin yang philosophy to keep my promise to make this simple.
Understand Yin Yang with Acupuncture
- In the 12 meridians connected with 12 organs, 6 are classified as yang meridians and 6 as yin meridians.
- They form 6 pairs known as husband-and-wife meridians.
- Each yang meridian contains a little yin character , and each yin meridian contains a little yang character.
- The whole acupuncture (TCM) system is like a family with interactions among these meridians.
- There are specific principles—such as
- the couple meridian law,
- mother-son law,
- and husband-and-wife law-that help regulate their relationships and balance.
Diagnosis of Acupuncture
- As acupuncture therapists, we diagnose diseases by categorizing them as either yin or yang conditions, utilizing diagnostic methods such as tongue examination, pulse diagnosis, hara (abdominal) palpation, nail inspection, eye assessment, and other traditional techniques.
- We diagnose the problem using diagnostic methods, evaluate it with applicable laws, and needle the patient to improve the deficiency.
- This is how Acupuncture works.
Benefits of Acupuncture
- Acupuncture can work as a stand-alone treatment, but its benefits may be enhanced when integrated with other medicines for chronic problems.
- Acupuncture promotes natural healing by enhancing the body’s own energy, and it is a drug-free therapy.
- The basic understanding of acupuncture, as we discussed, is that it is an energy-based medicine.so, Acupuncture works on all living bodies to treat various diseases and disorders, but it may not be effective for every patient or at every stage of a disease.
- Acupuncture helps with psychological and emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, and more.
- It is best for insomnia and sleep issues.
- Acupuncture provides better results for many types of pain management, including conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and more.
- Lifestyle disorders like diabetes and hypertension can also be managed and maintained with proper acupuncture diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate lifestyle changes.
Acupuncture for animals and plants
- Acupuncture works on animals and plants because all living organisms have meridian lines running through their bodies.
- We can receive electromagnetic energy for them as well.
- Acupuncture helps in healing wounds and relieving pain in animals and supports growth in plants and trees.
If you want to try, you can gently pierce acupuncture needles into your home garden plants to understand how acupuncture works on them.
However, do not try this on animals unless you have proper knowledge of acupuncture.
Conclusion for your question does Acupuncture really works?
Answer is yes. Acupuncture heals the body, mind, soul, and even your spirit because, in the Chinese concept, the electromagnetic energy running through the meridians is closely connected to our soul. However, make sure you receive treatment from certified and genuine practitioners.
FAQ :
How does acupuncture work scientifically?
Modern research indicates acupuncture may activate the nervous system, releasing endorphins, improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and affecting connective tissue. There’s also evidence that patient belief and the therapist-patient relationship contribute to benefits.
Are improvements guaranteed?
Answer is yes. Acupuncture heals the body, mind, soul, and even your spirit because, in the Chinese concept, the electromagnetic energy running through the meridians is closely connected to our soul. However, make sure you receive treatment from certified and genuine practitioners.
Is acupuncture a placebo?
The placebo effect can play a role, as with many therapies, but well-designed research shows acupuncture provides greater-than-placebo benefits for several conditions—mainly certain types of pain and nausea.
Does acupuncture pierce the nerves?
Acupuncture needles do not pierce nerves or blood vessels. Acupuncturists insert the needles only into the lower layers of the skin and muscular areas. Piercing nerves and blood vessels is prohibited in acupuncture.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by trained, certified practitioners using sterile needles. Minor side effects like bruising or mild soreness can occur. Serious complications are very rare but possible if not performed properly.
This is really wonderful.. excellent explanation for complete understanding about acupuncture.. Thank you for taking efforts to promote awareness of this glorious treatment modality..Keep going..
Well explained. I love acupuncture treatment. I wish everyone come to know the benefits
Thank you so much ma’am! I’m glad you enjoyed the explanation. 😊 Acupuncture truly has so many wonderful benefits, and I share your wish for more people to discover them.