The human body is an amazing structure. It naturally contains many of the resources necessary for combating pain. Acupuncture works by harnessing these resources in order to help patients reduce the inflammation and pain associated with shoulder disorders.
For example, the body produces compounds similar to morphine—these are known as endorphins. Acupuncture stimulates the peripheral nerves responsible for sending messages to the brain to release endorphins. In other words, acupuncture can achieve pain-relieving results similar to opiate-based pain medications.
On the other hand, the body creates pain on purpose to warn the body that something is wrong. Acupuncture can fight these impulses by decreasing the stimulation of nerve signals that cause pain and inflammation. It does this by helping with the release of serotonin, which interrupts pain signals before they can reach the brain.
