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Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the premise that for anyone or anything to thrive it must be in balance. That each individual person is a combination and result of their mind, body, and spirit. At their core, they are a reflection of their "yin" and "yang" energies. Yin and Yang are opposite, interdependent, mutually consuming, and mutually transformative. Genetics, sleep, diet, stress, mental health, lifestyles, activity, etc. can cause an imbalance in the body's yin and yang, giving rise to illness. The goal of TCM is to manipulate the yin and yang energy in the body via "qi" through the comprehensive network of meridians that travel to corresponding organs and substances. 
It's a brilliantly simplistic way of viewing the human health system. That disease is not universal, but singular. That no two people can have the same condition, because no two people are the same. By approaching disease from an individualist viewpoint rather than a community viewpoint it becomes easier to understand how to treat not only symptom management, but total resolution of the condition.  

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Speaking from a biomedical standpoint, when manipulated acupuncture points are shown to stimulate the central nervous system. This stimulation triggers the release of chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. Most notably: pain-relieving chemicals, hormone regulators, anti-inflammatory properties, immune system production, and the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Studies suggest acupuncture causes an increase in:  
  • Endorphins - natural painkillers
  • Serotonin & dopamine - mood, sleep, and appetite regulators
  • Norepinephrine - stress response
  • GABA - nervous system relaxation
  • Acetylcholine - memory, learning, muscle contraction
  • Glutamate - brain function
  • Oxytocin - emotional well-being
There are large amounts of research focused on the efficacy of acupuncture and disease, if you'd like to discuss current research on your condition please bring it up at our appointment, or send me an email.