Using acupuncture and Chinese herbs is a great way to relieve pain. In fact, one of the reasons I decided to become an acupuncturist was because it relieved my low back and hip pain when nothing else was working for me.

Most likely, if you have pain, you have lack of blood and oxygen flow in that area. When needles get inserted under the skin, they create a micro trauma which allows fresh blood and oxygen to come to the area. We want this to happen because our blood is full of nutrients that allow healing to take place. It also causes the body to release chemicals known as endorphins which block pain messages from being sent to the brain so your perception of pain is limited. Acupuncture also brings the body into balance (homeostasis) and calms the nervous system allowing you to relax.

Chinese herbs will also help relieve pain but they do so on deep internal level. They nourish the internal organs and work on the root cause of disease. I almost always advise an herbal supplement to take while the person is receiving acupuncture.

To recap, acupuncture helps diminish the pain by:

1. Bringing blood and oxygen to the area.
2. Causes the release of endorphins, which block pain messages from getting sent to the brain.
3. Brings the body into homeostasis.

Warm Regards,

Dawna