Benefits of Acupuncture For Acute and Cronic Pain

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM which has been practiced for thousands of years). It involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on your body, known as acupuncture points. These points are found along certain channels or meridians, which allow the smooth flow of energy (Qi) through the body.

Here at our Brisbane acupuncture clinic, we practice traditional acupuncture including trigger point needling and motor point needling often known as dry needling techniques.

Neurophysiology can help explain how acupuncture works. When acupuncture needles are inserted, they activate local receptors that send neural signals to the spinal cord and brain which adjusts various physiological functions (Lin, Kotha, & Chen, 2022). There is still ongoing research exploring how acupuncture influences various biomechanisms.

Yang et al. (2022) offer an overview of acupuncture’s mechanism, particularly focusing on how acupuncture can trigger the release of endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which contribute to pain relief and enhanced well-being. This supports the idea that acupuncture influences both peripheral and central nervous systems to modulate pain perception and improve mood.

It has also demonstrated systemic anti-inflammatory effects through releasing catecholamines from the adrenal glands, which then interact with peripheral dopamine D1 receptors (Torres-Rosas et al., 2014).