We have much to thank the Chinese for, Oriental Medicine is a fascinating and brilliantly complete system of medicine. In Western Medicine Acupuncture is reknowned for its "brain chemistry effects".
For those of you who think you need to believe in Yin/Yang, I have news for you! Below shows you very simply what happens when your skin is pierced with an acupuncture needle - I hope my diagrams help.
At the skin:
* Increases blood flow (ATP - Adenotriphosphate)
* "Paingate" competes with nerve firing and pain signals going
further.
* Helps with Ischaemia (an inadequate blood supply to an organ or
part of the body, especially the heart muscles).
Spinal effects:
* Inhibits and dampens down pain
signals going to the brain (via
synapse/neurotransmittors)
Brain Effects:
* Serotonin, Encephalins
ie. sleepy and happy (not the Seven Dwarves).
Where needles are placed exerts a powerful influence on the brain, for example, needles placed in the hands, feet or face (ouch?) produce as much as five times the amount of encephalins compared to needles placed in the arm or back. This is because a large area of the brain is predominantly taken up by the somatosensory cortex (ie that part of the body corresponds with an exact part of the brain).
In short, having acupuncture is taking a shot of natural occurring helpful chemicals! That's why it is so powerful.
If this sparked your curiosity and you would like to know more than I suggest:
Lorimer Moseley (he has done Tedx talks)
David Butler
Thomas Lundeberg (Physiologist from Sweden)
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