How Does Acupuncture Work?

It’s not clearly understood how acupuncture works, but there are a number of hypotheses. One hypothesis is that when specific points are needled, nerves are stimulated.

This stimulation sends signals to the brain, releasing neural hormones such as endorphins which increase the pain threshold and decrease the subjective feeling of pain.

Another hypothesis suggests that acupuncture may activiate biochemical responses in the body via the nerves like affecting the pituitary gland to produce extra hormones.