Acupuncture relays a signal to the pituitary gland within the brain to secrete natural morphine called endorphin; this same phenomena occurs in marathon runners, but acupuncture requires no running!

The mechanism of action to acupuncture is complex: both the brain and spinal cord are involved; the spinal cord releases enkephalin, dynorphin, and other endorphins, the midbrain releases enkephalin and activates the raphe descending system to stimulate release of monoamines, serotonin, norepinephrine and the hypothalamic-pituitary system beta-endorphins.  Surely, more is needed to be learned about this phenomena.

 The Tribute

Ancient Taoist Sages in China were attune to their life energy, Chi, and mapped the human meridians (pathways of Chi flow) and surface areas to adjustment (acupuncture points).  Acupuncture is  a tribute to the ancients knowing thyself and the Way of Life (Tao).

   In China, the Master acupuncturist senses (feels) the Chi to guide his/her needle, while in the West most physicians simply memorize surface anatomy to locate the points.  Either way, the benefits of acupuncture have helped people for thousands of years! 

 All things within our universe have the Yin and the Yang (extremes of tendency) and harmonizing the Chi flow between these two dynamic tendencies of opposition is called Tao (The Way).  This is the basis to understanding all of Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture is a tool and not to be confused with the way to ideal health or living.  Tai-Chi and Kung-Fu (movements in harmony with energy and time) are practiced in China and keeps the body, mind and spirit united.  In this way, cognitive understanding and sense of Being become one, and this is catalyst to appreciating that which is beyond our limited comprehension. 
  

Above dedicated to my wife Dr. Sakal
By Don Sakal, MMSc, PA-C

Suggested Readings

The Tao of Physics

The Yellow Emperor's Classic
of Internal Medicine