WebMD 1:01: How Acupuncture Works

No one likes getting a needle when they go to the doctors.

I do. I love doctor office lollipops. I get one every time I get a needle.

Well, you'd get a lot of lollipops if you went to an acupuncturist.

Ah, which brings us to our topic-- lollipops--

Acupunctu-- no, the Chinese art of acupuncture.

I'm so unprepared.

I've got you covered. Doctors in China have spent over 2,000 years figuring out where hundreds of acupoints are located all over the body. Each acupoint corresponds to a specific organ or limb.

OK. Well, now, the lollipop was invented--

inaudible] inaudible, inaudible] I said I-- I've got it.

Yeah.

Now, acupuncturists insert sterilized, fine-tipped needles into these points, targeting certain ones based on your condition.

You know, using pain to stop pain doesn't seem like it would be that popular.

Well, it may not sound like fun, but over 3 and 1/2 million Americans do it every year. Not all scientists agree about what happens next.

But many of the needles stimulate your nerves and cause your brain to release endorphins.

Oh, I know about endorphins. I mean, there's nothing like a good endorphin release, because it helps muscles relax and dulls pain. [SIGHS]

And that puts a point on acupuncture.

That's good. OK, I think we might have time to talk about lollipops.

Great.

OK.

I assumed you were going to say no. And I'm not actually prepared to talk about lollipops.

Yeah, I'm not surprised. [BELL RINGING] [MUSIC PLAYING]