How we see acupuncture has evolved.
The original Chinese pictographs for acupoints indicated that there were holes in the skin through which qi energy could flow. Helping to manipulate and harmonize this energy flow is how we heal.
A western view is that Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. Through this release of chemicals acupuncture helps to naturally stimulate your bodies own innate mechanisms of healing.
In the newest research for acupuncture we have been able to actually see electrodermal activity at the acupoints. This has shown us acupuncture affects not only on the CNS but also the circulatory system and endocrine system.