Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Acupuncture 
Name: Todd A Kucera
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
I need information on acupuncture, I was wondering if you could help. Please let me know if you can help me.


Replies:
Well, I have some info to start you out on your search for knowledge. Acupuncture works (theoretically, anyway) by placing pins just below the skin in very specific places on the body in very specific combinations, thereby stimulating nerve bundles to subtly relax muscle fibers, relieving tension and thereby relieving pain and stress (*at least, temporarily). According to Taoism, the acupuncture points are located where natural nodes in the human body meet, concentrating the "Chi" at these places -- so by placing the needles at these nodes, one redistributes this vital energy to the rest of the body, thereby restoring the natural balance. In the modern age, some practitioners have even gone so far as to apply mild electrical stimulation to some of their patient's needles, in order to give the "Chi" a boost, so to speak.

Hope that helps...

Wordsworth


Click here to return to the Biology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory