Acupuncture is an alternative medical technique that involves the insertion of hair-thin metallic needles at specific points on the body in an attempt to relieve tension and pain. According to the ancient Chinese healing treatment of acupuncture, the insertion of needles into specific combinations of 2,000 points on the human body unblocks energy pathways called meridians allowing the body to return to its homeostatic flow of energy.
Traditional western medicine reasons that acupuncture works by releasing analgesic chemicals in the brain including opioid peptides, neurotransmitters and endorphins that stimulate the central nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal cord, to produce increased sensation, relaxation and energy. Acupuncture is thought to help with a variety of health problems, including neck pain and back pain.
