Another way acupuncture works is to counter the effects of pernicious influences, such as wind, cold, heat, dampness, and dryness. All of these conditions can invade the body and cause a cold, pain, or swelling of the stomach. Acupuncture can help build the defenses of the body to resist these conditions. It can, if used in the first stage of a cold, eradicate the pernicious influence. If used in the later stages, it can speed up the recovery time.
Acupuncture is also extremely successful in treating sudden injuries.
Sprained ankles, or swellings anywhere in the body, can be successfully treated by instantly reducing the inflammation with acupuncture needles. Whiplash, muscle spasms, etc. This is because the human body has a memory system of how the muscles, tendons, and ligaments align themselves. If the body goes through a sudden shock and sleeps on it, the body memorizes the new alignment. Acupuncture, when used soon enough, will restore to the body the original memory that it had before the shock.