A recent study has shown, through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), that acupuncture actually does change the brain’s perception and processing of pain. Until now, the effectiveness of acupuncture in changing perception and processing of pain was questionable, said lead researcher, Nina Theysohn, M.D.
The study found that during acupuncture, the activation of brain areas involved in pain perception and processing was significantly reduced. Eighteen healthy volunteers were used in the study. Using fMRI, researchers were able to directly observe the areas of the brain that are activated during pain perceptions and monitor the changes that occurred during acupuncture.
Acupuncture was found not only to effect pain signals, but also areas of the brain that governed expectations of pain. And both signals and expectations of pain were significantly reduced in the patients studied.
These findings offer official scientific support to the notion that acupuncture “can help relieve pain,” said Theysohn.
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