Medical research continues in this country and others to attempt to explain in western scientific terms what the ancient Chinese seventy centuries earlier described. Today, many theories have been postulated as to why Acupuncture is so effective in pain control. However, as more discoveries are made, more research is indicated. Here are some recent theories.

The Gate Control Theory of Pain  

According to this theory, pain signals must pass through a number of high-traffic "gates" as they move from the area of injury upward through the spinal cord into the brain. Like a highway, these nerves can handle only a limited number of nerve signals at one time. Pain signals travel very slowly. We can generate other signals which move faster. The faster signals crowd out the slower ones because of the limited capacity of the nerves. Acupuncture generates competing stimulus and effectively blocks the slow pain signals from reaching the brain. The result: we never "experience the pain".

Electrical Theory of Acupuncture

The body continually generates tiny but detectable electrical discharges. This electrical field influences the growth, maturation, and functioning of some types of cells. It is known that acupuncture points are concentrated in regions of low electrical resistance. Acupuncture points can be measured as areas of higher electrical skin conductance. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between the electromagnetic fields in the body and the channels or meridians. Acupuncture points have certain electrical properties, and stimulating these points alters chemical neurotransmitters in the body.

How does Acupuncture work?
The philosophy of Chinese medicine
Acupuncture treatment