| The number one question I get from | | | | been shown to conduct energy and could |
| patients is: How does acupuncture work? | | | | be the biophysical basis for the |
| They will often ask during a treatment | | | | communication system affected by |
| once they start to feel the effect of | | | | acupuncture and moxibustion. Dr. Yoshio |
| pain relief and a deep sense of | | | | Nagahama and Hiroshi Motoyama, Ph.D, two |
| relaxation. | | | | leading researchers form Japan, have |
| Most articles I have found on the | | | | independently concluded that the |
| subject either give a classical view of | | | | meridian system does in fact lie in the |
| acupuncture using terminology that is | | | | superficial fascia. |
| foreign to most westerners or they focus | | | | Another concept that provide an |
| on effects that occur in the body as | | | | additional explanation of the movement |
| result of receiving an acupuncture | | | | of energy through the body if the |
| treatment. The most clearly documented | | | | research of the Bjorn Nordenstrom. His |
| physiological effect of acupuncture is | | | | discovered that an electrical current is |
| the release of endogenous opioid | | | | transmitted though the circulatory |
| peptides. These are pain relieving | | | | system via ionic transfers and and |
| compounds that are naturally produced | | | | difference of electrical potential in |
| within the body such as endorphins, | | | | the tissue-capillary bed. It well |
| enkaphalins, and dynorphins. Dr. | | | | documented that acupuncture increases |
| Zang-Hee Cho, a medical physicist and | | | | micro-circulation at the site of needle |
| professor at the University of | | | | insertion. The increased circulation as |
| California, has also shown with the aid | | | | a result of acupuncture has a positive |
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that | | | | effect on the electrical transmission |
| certain area of the brain are influenced | | | | discovered by Nordenstrom. |
| by the insertion of acupuncture points | | | | Another discovery that has profound |
| on the body. There are also various | | | | implication is the discovery of |
| theories that involve the nervous system | | | | bio-photons by German biophysicist |
| such as the gate theory. | | | | Fritz-Albert Popp. Biophotons are weak |
| Before we go any further, I would like | | | | emissions of light that are radiated |
| to introduce a concept from quantum | | | | from the cells of all living things. |
| physic that all matter, once thought to | | | | Research has shown that there is |
| be solid, is really composed of nothing | | | | bio-communication that occurs between |
| more than pulsating, energetic | | | | different organisms through biophoton |
| vibrations. Qi (pronounced Chi) the | | | | emission and that the biophoton |
| Chinese term for the energy present in | | | | fieldreflects biological rhythms as well |
| all matter. Qi as defined by the Chinese | | | | as left-right symmetry of corresponding |
| for thousand of years describes the | | | | points in the case of healthy |
| phenomenon described by quantum physic | | | | individuals. Healthy cells will also |
| today that solid matter is nothing more | | | | have a different biophotonic signature |
| than vibrating strings of energy. | | | | than the same type cell that is |
| Acupuncture regulates the flow of energy | | | | unhealthy or in a disease state. This |
| or qi through the body by inserting fine | | | | important discovery provides another |
| needles at certain acupuncture points in | | | | explanation for the communication that |
| the body that lie along organized | | | | occurs throughout the body as a result |
| pathways called meridians. The | | | | of acupuncture and moxibustion and the |
| acupuncture points and meridian pathways | | | | absence of physical structure that |
| coincide with the points on the surface | | | | corresponds with the meridian system. |
| of the body where there is lowered | | | | I have presented three mechanisms |
| electrical resistance and and greater | | | | through which is energy is transmitted |
| electrical conductivity, according to | | | | through body. It is likely that |
| measurements of many scientists. This | | | | acupuncture and moxibustion facilitate |
| flow of energy that circulates through | | | | the flow ofenergy through all three |
| the meridians acts as a communication | | | | mechanisms presented in this article. As |
| network that promotes healing and normal | | | | the fields of quantum physics and |
| function of the body's systems. | | | | biophysics advance, we are sure to |
| We must also consider the intricate | | | | further uncover more about the essence |
| network of connective tissue, known as | | | | of how acupuncture and moxibustion |
| the fascial system. The fascial system | | | | create beneficial changes in the body. |
| literally connect everything in the | | | | References: |
| body. You trace any one point on the | | | | Matsumoto, Kiiko and Birch, Stephen. |
| body to any other point in the body | | | | Hara Diagnosis:Reflections on the Sea. |
| running up or down or outside to inside. | | | | Massachusetts: Paradigm Publications, |
| The meridians also travel up and down | | | | 1988. |
| the body and from exterior to interior | | | | Maccioca, Giovanni. The Foundations of |
| connecting to their associated organs. | | | | Chinese Medicine. |
| The fascia and connective tissue have | | | | |