These intervals could be daily, every other day or once a week depending on the nature and severity of the condition being treated. This body energy flows freely in the 14 energy pathways in the human body. Any congestion or imbalance of this flow causes illness. Western physicians have done studies correlating the influence of acupuncture on the sympathetic nervous system. Other studies relate acupuncture to the gate control theory where needles work by masking or jamming the sensory stimulus at the spinal cord level and pain is then perceived by the brain as some sensation other than pain.
Scientific research continues to enlarge our understanding of why acupuncture works.
While more research is needed, therapists and their patients are convinced by their experiences that acupuncture is effective, including cases where all other methods have failed. Examples of conditions that have been treated successfully include allergies, asthma, anxiety and depression, arthritis, tic douloureaux, tinnitus, sexual dysfunctions, hypertension, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal problems. It offers a safe alternative to drugs. Auricular acupuncture, a technique which involves the application of needles and electrical stimulation on the external ear, offers treatment for drug and nicotine dependencies. Ear points are also used for appetite control, aiding people in a safe way towards weight control.