Introduction:
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that works by stimulating nerves and muscles. Acupuncture mainly acts on the nervous system, regenerating cells and promoting healing. Acupuncture can be done by inserting tiny needles into the body at various pressure points, thereby balancing the energy flow within the body and promoting healing.
It mainly helps relieve various body pains, including headaches, back pain, and joint pain, by releasing several neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, encephalin, and serotonin, in the brain and plasma. It also helps treat constipation, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, and inflammation. It can be used as an alternative or complementary treatment for neurological disorders like diabetic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, Bell’s palsy, and other neurodegenerative diseases by repairing and regenerating the damaged nerve cells.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture can be done by inserting thin needles into the body’s surface, manually moving the body, or stimulating the body using electrical pulses. The insertion of thin needles at the trigger points helps to create a closed circuit between the trigger points and brain centers that balances the energy (denoted as Qi) flow and promotes healing. Energy flow can be blocked by emotional disturbances or physical factors that lead to poor health, which can be released by stimulating the pressure points, thereby restoring the energy flow. Acupuncture mainly works by transferring and moving energy within the body, improving blood circulation, and increasing cell oxygen levels.
How Does Acupuncture Help with Neurological Disorders?
Acupuncture affects neurological disorders by affecting the limbic and paralimbic pathways in the brain, and the body’s response influences the hemodynamic response. Acupuncture improves the nerve’s function, stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins and some opioids. It also helps relieve muscle pain and reduce inflammation by releasing its trigger points. Acupuncture also helps release serotonin, which enhances well-being and relaxes the mind.
The effects of acupuncture on neurological disorders:
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Chronic Headaches: Acupuncture helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches by stimulating nerves to release endorphins, which can relieve pain, and also by activating brain pathways, which can reduce pain signals.
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Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy usually occurs due to uncontrolled diabetes and is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, which acts as a messenger from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. If a large peripheral nerve is involved, it can cause numbness and tingling sensations, especially in the hands and feet. If a small nerve is involved, it can cause pain and a burning sensation in the hands and feet. Acupuncture helps improve blood flow and stimulate the brain, relieving pain. It can also be used to treat peripheral neuropathy of variable causes.
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Trigeminal Neuralgia: Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic progressive facial pain disorder with the involvement of the trigeminal nerve which transmits sensory and motor signals from the face and jaw to the brain. It is characterized by extreme facial pain and is triggered by routine activities like speaking, chewing, brushing, and so on. Acupuncture can be given as a complementary treatment for complete recovery. It repairs damaged nerves, regenerates nerve tissues, and restores nerve functions.
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Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by motor symptoms like tremors, rigidity, muscle pain, walking difficulty, and postural instability, and other symptoms like sleep disturbances, hallucinations, and constipation. Acupuncture helps to improve the symptoms, thereby reducing the drug dosage and its side effects. This can improve the quality of sleep and personality.
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Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by impaired brain functions like cognition and memory, motor disability, and personal degeneration. This disease gets worse with age. Dementia occurs as a result of this disease. Acupuncture can be done by stimulating strategic points in the body to activate specific brain parts, promoting cognitive function and memory, and improving speech and motor function. Acupuncture promotes neurotransmitter release, resists apoptosis, and improves plasticity, thereby reducing the risk.
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Stroke: A stroke is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked, which may cause brain damage, disability, or death. Acupuncture treatment is widely used in stroke patients for better recovery and rehabilitation. Acupuncture helps in relaxation and pain relief by improving the blood supply, promoting the secretion of neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin, and relaxing muscles. Acupuncture helps to recover from stroke effects by improving balance, treating post-stroke paralysis, and managing dysphagia by improving swallowing movements. Motor aphasia may occur after a stroke and can be managed by scalp-tongue acupuncture and speech training, which may improve clinical outcomes.
What Are the Risks of Acupuncture?
Acupuncture should be done by a licensed acupuncturist. It usually carries little or no risk.
The common side effects include
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Pain and discomfort at the needle insertion points may or may not have mild bleeding.
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If needles are inserted too deeply, they may cause injury to the internal organs.
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If the needles used are unsterile and may cause an infection or life-threatening diseases.
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The needle insertion points may have delayed healing if the patients are on anticoagulants or have bleeding disorders.
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It should be used cautiously during pregnancy because it may provoke early labor or premature delivery.
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It should be avoided in patients with heart disease or a pacemaker, or consult the doctor before acupuncture treatment.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is one of the techniques used in traditional Chinese medicine that can help treat and manage neurological disorders by causing alterations in brain activity. It is used as an effective treatment for various body pains and degenerative diseases by stimulating the nervous system, repairing damaged cells, and relaxing the muscles. A licensed acupuncturist should do it, or it may cause serious effects. Consult the doctor before acupuncture treatment if the patient has serious medical problems.
