Understanding Acupuncture: A Biological Perspective from Berkhamsted Acupuncturist, Sean Heneghan

How Acupuncture Works: A Modern Biological Perspective

Acupuncture is often explained using traditional Chinese concepts like meridians, Qi (energy flow), and yin and yang. These ideas, though metaphorical, have guided practitioners for thousands of years. But what does acupuncture look like through the lens of modern biology and neuroscience?

As a traditional acupuncturist practising in Berkhamsted, I value the classical frameworks of Chinese medicine, but I also recognise the importance of scientific understanding. These perspectives aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, when explored together, they can offer a more rounded view of how acupuncture may influence the body.

 

What Happens When an Acupuncture Needle Is Inserted?

When a fine, sterile acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin, it stimulates nearby sensory nerves. These nerves relay signals to the spinal cord and brain, activating a cascade of responses within the nervous system.

One widely studied effect is the modulation of chemical messengers in the body. Research suggests that acupuncture can influence the release of endorphins (the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals), as well as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. These substances play key roles in how we process pain, regulate mood, and manage stress.

At the site of needling, acupuncture may also enhance local blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and initiate subtle tissue responses that support the body's self-regulating mechanisms.

 

Local and Systemic Responses

Acupuncture appears to have both local and systemic effects. Locally, the insertion of a needle can influence circulation, reduce fascial restriction, and alter muscle tone. Some patients describe a distinctive "release" in areas of long-held tension, often felt as a softening, warming, or spreading sensation.

Systemically, acupuncture has been shown to modulate activity in the central nervous system. Functional imaging studies (fMRI) have demonstrated that needling certain points can activate or deactivate brain regions involved in pain perception, emotional regulation, and sensory processing.

Thomas Lundeberg, a Swedish physician and researcher, has published extensively on the physiological effects of acupuncture. His work has contributed to the understanding of how acupuncture may exert effects through the endogenous opioid system and via segmental and suprasegmental mechanisms in the central nervous system. In several studies, Lundeberg demonstrated that acupuncture can stimulate the release of neuropeptides and modulate spinal cord reflexes, offering a credible explanation for both local and referred effects observed in clinical settings.

 

Neurohumoral Modulation and Autonomic Balance

Modern researchers often describe acupuncture as a form of "neurohumoral modulation" — influencing both the nervous system and the body's chemical messengers.

For example, acupuncture may help regulate the balance between the sympathetic nervous system (associated with stress and vigilance) and the parasympathetic nervous system (associated with rest, digestion, and recovery). This may partly explain why many people feel deeply relaxed during and after treatment.

These effects do not rely on belief or suggestion. While the therapeutic relationship and context certainly matter, there is increasing evidence that acupuncture can engage the body's homeostatic mechanisms through measurable physiological pathways.

 

Why Needle Points Far from the Site of Discomfort?

One of the more puzzling aspects of acupuncture, especially for newcomers, is the use of points far from the site of discomfort. For instance, someone with shoulder tension may be needled on the ankle or hand.

From a neurophysiological perspective, the body is a network of interconnected tissues, nerves, and reflex arcs. Stimulating distal points may engage spinal segments and central processing areas that influence a broader area. Lundeberg's research supports this concept, suggesting that acupuncture activates both segmental reflexes and higher-order brain centres.

This may align with traditional Chinese medicine’s channel theory, which maps out lines of influence across the body. While these maps may not correspond to anatomical structures, they often reflect patterns of connectivity observed in clinical and physiological research.

 

A Contemporary Viewpoint Rooted in Tradition

As a practitioner offering acupuncture in Berkhamsted, I’ve seen how this ancient system can resonate deeply with modern understandings of the body. Acupuncture is not simply “alternative”; it engages biological processes that can be observed, measured, and studied, even as its full complexity continues to unfold.

While more research is always needed, especially large-scale clinical trials, the existing body of evidence suggests that acupuncture can influence the nervous system, modulate the body’s internal communication systems, and support a sense of physiological regulation and calm.

 

Final Note

Acupuncture is used by many people as part of a broader approach to managing wellbeing. Its effects are being increasingly explored through modern science, but as with any healthcare decision, it's important to speak to a qualified medical professional if you have specific health concerns.

If you're based in or near Berkhamsted and are curious about how acupuncture might support your wellbeing, feel free to get in touch. I offer a practice that honours the wisdom of tradition while staying informed by contemporary research.