These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption and energy production activities, and in the circulation fo their energy through the meridians. The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acpuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, sinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
Acupuncture is a very old medical art, and there are many approaches to learning and practicing it.
Medical acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine who has also had thorough training in acupuncture as a speciality practice. Such a doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of both as the need arises to treat an illness. There are others, not M.D.'s, as suggested above, who are fully trained in acupuncture. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medical treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders. Urinary, menstrual and reproduction problems.