SCIENCE
HOW ACUPUNCTURE
Fine needles have been inserted into the skin for centuries as a traditional medicine that can have full-body benefits
WORKS WORDS AILSA HARVEY
Did you know?
There are over 300 acupuncture points
I n Western medicine, chemical painkillers and other lab-produced drugs are often prescribed for common ailments. However, an ancient Chinese medical practice involves the controlled insertion of needles beneath the skin – an alternative medicine that prompts the body to release its own natural remedies. This includes endorphins, which are pain-relieving hormones. The production of endorphins can be manipulated by stimulating sensory nerves across the body in a process called acupuncture.