There are two schools of thought on how Acupuncture works. Western doctors believe that acupuncture pointsstimulate the release of endorphins. This natural substance is a painkiller produced by one’s brain in response to pain. Ancient theorists believe that a life force called ch’i runs along fourteen interconnected meridians. These meridians service one or more organs, which can be influenced by stimulating the appropriate acupoints. Stimulating these points will help to rebalance the ch’i and regain normal functioning of the organ. Though there is no objective evidence of the existence of meridian points, when looked at under a microscope, acupuncture points reveal a high concentration of nerve endings and generate more electromagnetic energy than other skin locations.

There is no pain involved in acupuncture so it is an appropriate alternative to chemical pain alleviating treatments. It is not recommended that children under the age of 12 receive acupuncture treatment, as it requires the patient to be still and calm, which may be difficult for younger patients. From infancy children may benefit from acupressure, which follows the same principles as acupuncture but uses stroking and light pressure to produce similar results.