Chronic pain is a perplexing condition. It can fluctuate without warning—improving or worsening unexpectedly—leaving those who suffer from it searching for answers. Chronic pain can disrupt daily life, interfere with work and school, and strain relationships. For many of my patients, pain was a constant companion.
As an acupuncturist, I have treated hundreds of individuals suffering from headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, knee pain, and other forms of chronic discomfort, helping them find relief and regain control of their lives.
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Acupuncture: A Holistic Solution for Chronic Pain
Acupuncture is a multifaceted therapy that addresses pain and inflammation through several mechanisms including regulating pain in the nervous system, reducing inflammation, and stimulating local healing at the acupuncture site.
Neural Pain Pathway Regulation
One of acupuncture’s primary mechanisms for pain relief lies in its ability to modulate neural pain pathways. When acupuncture needles are inserted, they interact with the nervous system, helping to regulate how the brain processes pain signals. This modulation helps reduce the intensity of pain sensations, allowing the body to experience less discomfort. Furthermore, acupuncture stimulates the body’s production of natural painkillers, including endorphins and opioids, which provide additional relief. By enhancing the body’s natural opioid receptors, acupuncture supports a longer-lasting reduction in pain perception.
Hormonal Regulation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Acupuncture also exerts a powerful influence on the body’s hormonal systems, particularly its ability to reduce inflammation. Research has shown that acupuncture helps lower levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, such as cortisol. This reduction in circulating inflammatory hormones is crucial because inflammation is a major contributor to chronic pain. Interestingly, the hormonal effects of acupuncture persist long after the treatment session, meaning that patients can experience both immediate and long-term benefits in pain reduction and inflammation control.
Local Tissue Response and the “Twitch Response”
Another fascinating mechanism is the localized response to acupuncture needle insertion. Many times, the muscles near the acupuncture point will twitch or contract, a phenomenon known as the “twitch response.” This reaction is thought to alter inflammatory mediators in the area around the needle, reducing pain at the local level. While the exact pathways are still being studied, this muscular response likely plays an important role in relieving pain in targeted areas of the body, especially in musculoskeletal conditions.
Connective Tissue Stimulation
Acupuncture not only affects muscles but also stimulates the body’s connective tissue. During treatment, acupuncturists often twist or twirl the needles, which has been shown to engage subcutaneous loose connective tissue. Helene Langevin, a leading researcher in this field, discovered that this mechanical stimulation triggers fibroblasts—cells within connective tissue—to undergo cytoskeletal remodeling. This change may have far-reaching effects on the surrounding tissues and contribute to pain relief by affecting how the body’s connective tissue behaves. Langevin believes this response may eventually help explain the circulation of energy through acupuncture meridians and the overall body’s interconnectedness.
Feel Better, Get Acupuncture
Acupuncture’s ability to provide long-lasting pain relief is tied to its complex and multi-layered mechanisms. While research has made significant strides in understanding the ways acupuncture influences the nervous system, hormonal balance, and connective tissue, there is still much to explore. Future research aims to better understand how these mechanisms work together to create sustained relief from chronic pain, offering hope to millions who struggle with ongoing discomfort.
Please call us at 212.319.5757 to make your appointment or you can schedule your appointment online.
References
Napadow V, Ahn A, Longhurst J, et.al. The Status and Future of Acupuncture Mechanism Research. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 September; 14(7): 861–869.
Langevin HM, Churchill DL, Wu J. Et. al. Evidence of Connective Tissue Involvement in Acupuncture. FASEB Journal. April 10, 2002. Published Online.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Website. Acupuncture for Pain. Accessed 4/30/2013.
photo: Wikipedia
