Acupuncture Studies
Why the Acupuncture Needle?
Why acupuncture? How does it work? And why should it often be considered one of the first steps in addressing pain, stress, and many common health conditions?”
“Acupuncture needling is one of the most effective ways to help release tense muscles and fascial restrictions, improve circulation, regulate inflammatory responses, calm the nervous system, and support the body’s natural healing processes.”
~ Michele Arnold, D.A.C.M., L.Ac.
Overview of why acupuncture Works
- Normalization of autonomic nervous system
- Control of pain/Analgesia and its effect on endorphins and neurotransmitters
- Anti-inflammatory and Restorative function
- Surgical analgesia
- Control addictions
- Regeneration of tissue
Acupuncture is an ideal therapeutic modality that can achieve all of these goals.
We still need effective treatment of pain without deleterious side effects of many Western allopathic methods of pain control.
Western medicine areas of pain control
- Surgical
- Anesthetic management
- Chemical management through medications and opioids, OTC, Corticosteroids
- Physical therapies
- Psychological management
What is Acupuncture:
Acupuncture filiform needle + Human Body=Therapeutic Effect. It is a physical stimulus. It is different because it is a more invasive technique.
- The needle creates a tiny, controlled micro‑injury.”
A sterile stainless-steel needle is a foreign object. When it enters the skin, even gently, your body says:
“Something touched me—let me respond.”
This triggers a cascade of natural healing reactions:
- Increased blood flow
- Release of growth factors
- Local immune activation
- Nervous system signaling
- Tissue remodeling
- The needle deforms the tissue around the nerve that controls the muscle.”
This is the motor point explanation.
A motor point is where the nerve enters the muscle. When a needle touches that spot, it gives the nerve a tiny mechanical stimulus.
“It’s like tapping the reset button on a muscle that forgot how to fire.”
The science behind it:
- The needle mechanically stimulates the sensory and motor nerve endings.
- This triggers a spinal reflex (local twitch response).
- The reflex reactivates inhibited muscle fibers.
- Electrical noise at the motor endplate normalizes.
This is why acupuncture helps physical therapy or manual therapies work better afterward.
- The needle increases blood flow to the area, called “profusion.”
Patients often ask: Why does blood flow increase?
Here’s the simple version:
“Tight, painful muscles have poor circulation. The needle relaxes the muscle and signals the body to bring fresh blood to repair the area.”
The physiology:
- Needling reduces sustained contracture.
- Contracture squeezes blood vessels → ischemia (poor oxygenation and nutrition).
- When the muscle relaxes, perfusion increases.
- The micro-injury signals the body to send healing factors.
This is supported by multiple studies showing improved microcirculation after needling.
- The needle sends a message to your brain.
This is where acupuncture goes beyond dry needling.
“Your skin, fascia, and muscles are full of sensory nerves. When the needle touches them, they send signals to your spinal cord and brain. Your brain responds by calming pain, relaxing tension, and balancing your nervous system.”
The science:
- Needling activates A-delta and C fibers.
- These fibers modulate pain processing in the spinal cord.
- The brain responds by releasing endorphins, serotonin, and other neurochemicals.
- Functional MRI studies show acupuncture changes activity in pain, mood, and stress networks.
This explains why acupuncture helps:
- Pain
- Sleep
- Mood
- Stress
- Emotional release
- The needle creates a negative electrical healing charge?
“Your fascia is like a web of connective tissue that carries tension and electrical signals. Acupuncture points sit along natural fascial planes. When the needle gently stretches or vibrates the fascia, it creates a tiny electrical signal that helps tissues communicate and reset.”
The science:
- Fascia is piezoelectric.
- Mechanical deformation creates electrical potentials.
- These influence cellular signaling and tissue repair.
- Acupuncture points correlate with fascial planes and nerve bundles.
This is why acupuncture feels like it “opens” or “releases” something.
- The needle shifts your nervous system out of fight or flight?
“The needle stimulates nerves that talk to your brain’s stress centers. Your brain responds by shifting you into rest-and-digest mode. That’s why you feel calm, clear, and grounded after treatment.”
the science:
- Acupuncture modulates the vagus nerve.
- It reduces sympathetic overdrive.
- It increases parasympathetic tone.
- It regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
This explains emotional release, better sleep, and improved mood.
- The needle boosts the immune system:
“The micro-injury wakes up your local immune cells. They come in to clean up inflammation and repair tissue. This helps your body resolve old injuries that were stuck.”
The science:
- Needling activates mast cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts.
- Leukocytosis and eosinophil increase.
- It increases local cytokine signaling.
- It promotes tissue remodeling.
- It reduces chronic inflammatory stagnation.
This is why chronic pain areas often feel “warm,” “loose,” or “alive” after treatment.
All of it in one sentence:
“The needle gives your body a tiny, precise nudge that wakes up your nerves, improves blood flow, calms your brain, and helps your muscles and tissues heal the way they’re supposed to.”
“Your body is full of sensors. When something touches them — even gently — they respond. The needle is like tapping a reset switch. It wakes things up, reorganizes the area, and tells your body to fix what’s been stuck.”
Don’t wait until the problem becomes chronic. Schedule an appointment today to discover your unique pattern diagnosis, address the root causes of imbalance, relieve pain, release tension, calm the mind, and feel better in your body, your mind, and your life. Call today or book online.
Call or text Dr. Michele Arnold at (858) 613-0792. Book online go to:
How many acupuncture treatments will I need to get rid of my pain or health problems?
Part 3 of How to Get the Best & Quickest Results out of your acupuncture treatments?
“Acupuncture needling is the most powerful and direct method that releases tense, constricted muscles and fascia, improves blood flow, stops release of inflammatory chemicals, and relaxes the mind at the same time.”, Michele Arnold, D.A.C.M., L.Ac.
Acupuncture should be the first line of care to reduce pain because pain reduction is necessary to improve mobility and strength. It is a therapy that gives a cumulative effect to the body, and the best results are obtained by having a schedule of treatments.
Acupuncture enhances outcomes of other therapies like physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic.
So, how do you know how many acupuncture treatments will it take to get rid of your pain or health problems?
The efficacy of acupuncture is measured by the number treatments needed for maximum pain relief, and the duration of pain relief.
- It depends on the interaction between a patient’s self-healing potential,
- the severity and nature of the symptoms, or
- whether the symptoms or disease is healable. (1).
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief; others may take months or even years to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum of a month to see significant changes.
*Following the right treatment plan along with keeping reasonable expectations of results will push you in the right direction of healing. This is so important that I can’t say enough about it!
Developing A Treatment Plan
Treatment frequency, heal ability of the disease, and self-healing potential depends on a variety of factors:
• Your constitution, strong or weak.
• Current physical health status and emotional stress related issues,
- Health problems, and emotional stress related issues over the past year.
• Past surgeries, injuries, and illnesses that may alter neuroanatomical structures.
• Medications, in particular aspirin, blood thinners, statins, steroids, opioids, and Gabapentin/Neurontin that block the body’s natural healing abilities.
• Age.
• How long you’ve had the problem and the severity.
• Weather the problem is a mechanical, structural, or chronic systemic nervous system dysfunction.
An acupuncturist may suggest 1-3 treatments per week, daily visits for several days, or monthly visits for health maintenance and seasonal “tune ups”.
- One course of Acupuncture Therapy per one condition generally can be between 10-15 treatments for chronic conditions that are moderate, or severe in nature.
- Newer milder cases may need 6-8 treatments. After a 1–3-week break, this could be followed by another course of therapy if necessary.
- For more comprehensive and lasting effects follow a Corrective Care plan to address underlying organ-meridian imbalances over the course of months or a year. The corrective care plan usually includes dietary, herbal, exercise, and meditation practices as well as the acupuncture therapy.
- This treatment plan table below works for the average person, not considering nature of specific disease, or the patient’s general health and self-healing potential.
- This is also assuming that both the practitioner and the patient have availability to meet the timeframe. If not, try and get as close as possible so that the appointments are not spread too far apart. Otherwise, you are prolonging resolution of the problem. This treatment plan table works well.
- 1st Month 3-5x per week for chronic/severe
- 1st Month 2-3x per week for moderate problem
- 1st Month 1-2x per week for mild problem
- 2nd Month 2-3x per week for chronic/severe problem
- 2nd Month 1-2x per week for moderate problem
- 2nd Month 1x per week for mild problem
Or within a given total quantity needed per condition.
Mild 3-6 Tx; Moderate 6-12; Severe, long-standing 10+
Measuring Progress with reasonable expectations
- Consider problem resolved if No pain or symptoms return for at least 14 days.
- Considering whether or not there is something you are doing or not doing that is getting in the way of healing.
- Chronic problems, and those with nervous system dysfunction the symptoms may return,
- Then another course visits will be needed to keep the pain under control for another 4 to 6 months.
- To understand why healthy management of daily life stressors, mental outlook, belief systems, and lifestyle contribute to health or disease see Part 1-“What is the Real Source of My Pain or Disease?”
- Healing is a process, and different tissues have different healing timelines. This is very important to understand so that you can have the right expectations, and not become too impatient when you think your body isn’t healing quick enough. This will be explained in an upcoming blog post, “How Do I Know Whether the Acupuncture Treatments are Helping Me or Not?”
Why Frequent Acupuncture?
With a treatment plan at twice weekly for 3-5 weeks versus once per week or every other week, the resolution of the disorder is accomplished in 10-20 days, rather than 10-15 weeks or months.
Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, writes in his article, “Restructuring American Acupuncture Practices”, “The ideal frequency for acupuncture therapy depends on one’s concept of the function of acupuncture therapy (1).” I have loosely paraphrased his ideas with a few of my own modifications.
This is assuming both patients and practitioners have the availability for scheduling appointments. Both parties need to be available to commit to the benefits of optimal care.
If you were to begin a new exercise regime you would do it at a minimum of three times weekly.
If you were to begin any other therapy like physical therapy, or chiropractic, you would follow a treatment plan very similar to acupuncture.
In all cases, it doesn’t work if you don’t do it just as medicine won’t work if you don’t take it.
Consider a few examples of other therapies. Would it be recommended that a patient:
- Take nutritional supplements (such as a vitamin/mineral) once per week or once per day?
- Take a course of antibiotics, one dose per week for ten weeks or one dose per day for ten days?
- Take a decongestant once per week during allergy season, or every day during allergy season?
- Exercise, 20-30 minutes once per week, or 20-30 minutes at least three to five days per week?
- Take an herbal tea or other herb preparation once per week, or every day?
- Sleep well once per week, or every night?
- Eat a healthy diet once per week or every day (or most days)?
Once per week doesn’t cut it for any of these things. Diet, exercise, sleep, herbs, vitamins, and common drug therapies are more like acupuncture treatments in their regulatory and recuperative effects, and a person should be doing them daily or almost every day. (1).
Now that you understand some general guidelines around acupuncture care, consider whether your pain is acute or chronic, and its severity.
Together we can come up with a treatment plan to help give you the best possible results in the shortest amount of time.
Give us a call today at (858) 613-0702 or Text preferred (858) 613-0793 to set up your appointments.
Best in Health,
Dr. Michele Arnold
REFERENCES
- Ma, Yun-tao; Cho, Zang Hee. Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management – E-Book. 2005. Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.
- Dharmananda, Subhuti, “Restructuring American Acupuncture Practices”, May 2003. http://www.itmonline.org/arts/restructure.htm
- Duhigg, Charles. The Power of Habit: Why we do what we do in life and business. Random House. 2012. NY.
- Hanscom, David. Do You Really Need Spine Surgery? Take Control with a Surgeon’s Advice. 2019. Vertus Press: Oakland, CA.
- Bernard, Rick. Orthopedic Electroacupuncture. eBook edition.
- Wong, Joseph Y. A Manual of Neuro-Anatomical Acupuncture, Vol I: Musculo-Skeletal Disorders. 1999. The Toronto Pain and Stress Clinic, Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sound Healing Research Support
Scientific research and medical use of sound healing
Various forms of sound frequencies have been used in Western medical settings for years. Sound for medical healing is continually researched.
What makes vibrational tuning forks and Tibetan Bowels unique is that they are acoustic, not plugged in. You can use them in your own home. The frequencies are harmonious, and the vibration produced feels good, and the sound can be calming or energizing.
Take a look at the following references for the medical use of sound and light.
- For tumor reduction:
Wan GY, Liu Y, Chen BW, Liu YY, Wang YS, Zhang N. Recent advances of sonodynamic therapy in cancer treatment. Cancer Biol Med. 2016;13(3):325‐338. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2016.0068
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging approach that involves a combination of low-intensity ultrasound and specialized chemical agents known as sonosensitizers. Ultrasound can penetrate deeply into tissues and can be focused into a small region of a tumor to activate a sonosensitizer which offers the possibility of non-invasively eradicating solid tumors in a site-directed manner. In this article, we critically reviewed the currently accepted mechanisms of sonodynamic action and summarized the classification of sonosensitizers. At the same time, the breath of evidence from SDT-based studies suggests that SDT is promising for cancer treatment.
McHale AP, Callan JF, Nomikou N, Fowley C, Callan B. Sonodynamic Therapy: Concept, Mechanism and Application to Cancer Treatment. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;880:429‐450. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22536-4_22
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) represents an emerging approach that offers the possibility of non-invasively eradicating solid tumors in a site-directed manner. It involves the sensitization of target tissues with a non-toxic sensitizing chemical agent and subsequent exposure of the sensitized tissues to relatively low-intensity ultrasound. Essentially, both aspects (the sensitization and ultrasound exposure) are harmless, and cytotoxic events occur when both are combined. Due to the significant depth that ultrasound penetrates tissue, the approach provides an advantage over similar alternative approaches, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), in which less penetrating light is employed to provide the cytotoxic effect in sensitized tissues. This suggests that sonodynamic therapy may find wider clinical application, particularly for the non-invasive treatment of less accessible lesions. Early SDT-based approaches employed many of the sensitizers used in PDT, although the manner in which ultrasound activates the sensitizer differs from activation events in PDT. Here we will review the currently accepted mechanisms by which ultrasound activates sensitizers to elicit cytotoxic effects. In addition, we will explore the breath of evidence from in-vitro and in-vivo SDT-based studies, providing the reader with an insight into the therapeutic potential offered by SDT in the treatment of cancer.
Yang Y, Tu J, Yang D, Raymond JL, Roy RA, Zhang D. Photo- and Sono-Dynamic Therapy: A Review of Mechanisms and Considerations for Pharmacological Agents Used in Therapy Incorporating Light and Sound. Curr Pharm Des. 2019;25(4):401‐412. doi:10.2174/1381612825666190123114107
Abstract
As irreplaceable energy sources of minimally invasive treatment, light and sound have, separately, laid solid foundations in their clinic applications. Constrained by the relatively shallow penetration depth of light, photodynamic therapy (PDT) typically involves involves superficial targets such as shallow seated skin conditions, head and neck cancers, eye disorders, early-stage cancer of esophagus, etc. For ultrasound-driven sonodynamic therapy (SDT), however, to various organs is facilitated by the superior… transmission and focusing ability of ultrasound in biological tissues, enabling multiple therapeutic applications including treating glioma, breast cancer, hematologic tumor and opening blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Considering the emergence of theranostics and precision therapy, these two classic energy sources and corresponding sensitizers are worth reevaluating. In this review, three typical therapies using light and sound as a trigger, PDT, SDT, and combined PDT and SDT are introduced. The therapeutic dynamics and current designs of pharmacological sensitizers involved in these therapies are presented. By introducing both the history of the field and the most up-to-date design strategies, this review provides a systemic summary on the development of PDT and SDT and fosters inspiration for researchers working on ‘multi-modal’ therapies involving light and sound.
2. For mood, anxiety, and mind.
Goldsby TL, Goldsby ME, McWalters M, Mills PJ. Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(3):401‐406. doi:10.1177/2156587216668109
Abstract
Poor mood and elevated anxiety are linked to increased incidence of disease. This study examined the effects of sound meditation, specifically Tibetan singing bowl meditation, on mood, anxiety, pain, and spiritual well-being. Sixty-two women and men (mean age 49.7 years) participated. As compared with pre-meditation, following the sound meditation participants reported significantly less tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood (all Ps <.001). Additionally, participants who were previously naïve to this type of meditation experienced a significantly greater reduction in tension compared with participants experienced in this meditation ( P < .001). Feeling of spiritual well-being significantly increased across all participants ( P < .001). Tibetan singing bowl meditation may be a feasible low-cost low technology intervention for reducing feelings of tension, anxiety, and depression, and increasing spiritual well-being. This meditation type may be especially useful in decreasing tension in individuals who have not previously practiced this form of meditation.
3. For pain relief.
Lim E, Lim R, Suhaimi A, Chan BT, Wahab AKA. Treatment of chronic back pain using indirect vibroacoustic therapy: A pilot study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2018;31(6):1041‐1047. doi:10.3233/BMR-171042
Objective: This 12-week pilot study examines the efficacy of applying low frequency sound wave stimulation (between 16-160 Hz) through both hands and feet on relieving pain and improving functional ability in patients with chronic back pain.
Results: At week 12, significant reductions in pain sensation and pain-related disability were observed, with mean reductions of 3.5 points in P-VAS and 13.5 points in the PDI scores. Sixty-five percent of the participants had a reduction of at least 3 points on the P-VAS score, while 52% participants showed a decrease of at least 10 points in the PDI score. Significant improvement was observed in the SF-12 physical composite score but not the mental composite score.
Conclusions: The preliminary findings showed that passive application of low frequency sound wave stimulation therapy through both hands and feet was effective in alleviating pain and improving functional ability in patients with chronic back pain.
4. For determining fractures. Useful for physical trainers!
uning forks in determining fractures. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5076288/
5. Other references from the pioneers in the field of sound therapy.
Angel, Barbra (Romanowska, Barbara). (2014). Tune & Heal: In-depth cellular music therapy, Simple techniques for healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit with Sound. Translation Polish to English: Blaszczak (Sendi), A. and Choi, C. Ed. Johnston, D. and Larson, D. Published on Create Space.
Beaulieu, John (2010). Human Tuning: Sound Healing With Tuning Forks. Biosonic Enterprises, Ltd. New York.
Maman, Fabian. The Role of music in the twenty-first century. Redondo Beach, CA.: Tama-Dõ Press, 1997.
Three Naturally Probiotic Foods that You May Not Know About
Three Probiotic Foods
Eating or drinking probiotic food as soon as possible after having diarrhea can help prevent future cases of diarrhea by introducing healthy bacteria back into the digestive system. It can also help prevent adverse reactions to antibiotics should you need to take them.
Probiotics will help with IBD, IBS, GERD, leaky gut, and other digestive disorders.
The root cause of many digestive problems is a lack of healthy gut bacteria, enzymes, or stomach acid.
The initial cause could be antibiotic use, poor diet, infection from a virus, bacteria, fungi, yeast, or candida. If you are beginning the intake of probiotics or probiotic foods begin slowly. You may feel adverse healing reactions from the die-off of bacteria, virus, yeast, and fungi, and other toxins released into your blood stream. These toxins must be expelled via sweat, breathing, urine, or the stool.
That is why rice congees, and green veggie smoothies are so helpful. They help promote toxin release as well as probiotic growth.
There are five foods you may not know about that are naturally probiotic. You may want to integrate them into your diet.
- Kefir. This is a milk-based food. However, like real butter, it does not have lactose. Studies indicate that it even helps people improve their digestion of lactose because kefir contains at least 3 times more live bacteria than yogurt. It is the bacteria, and digestive enzymes that help your body break down lactose sugars. Everyone reacts differently to kefir, so play around with your serving amounts to see what works for you. Begin slowly with 5-10 oz. Slowly increasing daily amount to include 1-2 8 oz. servings. Of course, if you have a milk allergy you would avoid drinking kefir and all milk products.
- Parmesan cheese. Yes, I said that right! Hard-aged cheeses are naturally rich in healthy gut bacteria. So sprinkle some on your food, and enjoy.
- Sauerkraut. Eat only the raw, organic kind. You can make your own, or purchase from your local health foods store. I believe Trader Joe’s, and Costco have good quality sauerkraut. It should be crunchy, and fresh tasting. You should drink the juice as well. Don’t let any of it go to waste. Like kefir, begin slowly with small amounts until your body gets used to digesting it. If you don’t eat a particular type of food group, you won’t have the enzymes necessary to break it down. That is why traveling, and eating new foods can sometimes cause stomach upset. Sauerkraut makes a great appetizer, or side-dish.
Here is one recipe you can try. If you do, please tell me what you think?
Probiotic Raspberry Drink
- 1 Cups plain kefir or sauerkraut juice
- 1 mangos, skin and pit removed
- 1/2 Cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1.5 Cups kale, stems removed and chopped roughly
- Add all ingredients to a blender, blend until smooth about 2 minutes.
- Drink and enjoy!
This post is an excerpt from Dr. Michele Arnold-Pirtle’s book, It’s All About Your Gut!
Buy your copy from www.lulu.com/shop enter in the title and purchase.
I appreciate comments, questions, and testimonials! Please like and share this post.
Dr. Michele Arnold, Doctor of Acupuncture Medicine.
Acupuncture reduces frequency and severity of migraine headaches
Do you suffer from migraine headaches? Did you know that acupuncture can help?
Yes, that’s right! Researchers conclude that acupuncture can help reduce severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
The usual care involves pharmaceuticals, and these have unwanted side-effects. Acupuncture on the other hand stimulates your own body to heal itself without side-effects.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies provide data supporting a direct link between acupuncture points and specific brain activity.
Currently, acupuncture is considered to be a safe, helpful, and available alternative option for patients.
You can read the research review, “Acupuncture and Its Role in the Treatment of Migraine Headaches“, by Urits, I., Patel, M., et. Al, October 10, 2020. One study they say, “The authors concluded that acupuncture is more effective than no treatment, sham treatment, or medication in treating and preventing migraines and that it is also associated with a greater enhancement in quality of life compared to medication.”
Interestingly, they cite a comparison between acupuncture and Botox injections. “A 2017 RCT compared the efficacy of botulinum toxin-A, another treatment modality approved for the treatment of migraines, with acupuncture and sodium valproate (as a control) in treating chronic migraines. The authors found that the visual analog scale (VAS) score was significantly reduced from baseline to 3-months post-treatment in all of the groups studied (p = 0.0001). Of the three groups, the acupuncture group reported the greatest reduction in pain severity at the end of the 3-month study (p = 0.0001). Additionally, the trial showed that the number of days per month with migraine, absence from work, and the need for medication significantly decreased from pre-treatment to post-treatment at all of the time intervals in all of the three groups. Furthermore, the acupuncture group experienced fewer side effects than the group that received botulinum toxin-A (p = 0.021). The authors therefore concluded that while botulinum toxin-A, acupuncture, and pharmacological methods demonstrate some efficacy in treating chronic migraines, acupuncture demonstrates more effectiveness and is associated with fewer adverse events”.
In my practice I have often found the root cause to be from the jaw, the neck, hormonal, or emotional. Addressing the root causative factors along with the migraine can greatly enhance results. Sticking with the treatment plan makes a difference as well. If you read studies about acupuncture and successful treatment of migraines it generally takes 16-24 weeks of care. For many this is a short amount of time considering a life-time of suffering.
Schedule your appointment to begin your life free from migraine headaches.
Urits, I., Patel, M., Putz, M.E. et al. Acupuncture and Its Role in the Treatment of Migraine Headaches. Neurol Ther 9, 375–394 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-020-00216-1
