Acupuncture has been practiced for centuries in China, with the earliest documentation of it as an organized system dating back to 100 BCE. While it’s been a standard practice there for hundreds of years, acupuncture has only gained popularity in the West relatively recently; within the last 50 or so years. Read on to learn how recent studies have shed light on the science behind this ancient practice.
For decades, acupuncture has been described in biochemical terms: endorphin release, nervous
system regulation, and local anti-inflammatory responses. These models have given acupuncture
a foothold in modern science, but they don’t fully capture the depth of its effects. Anyone who’s practiced or experienced acupuncture knows there’s something more going on, something that
traditional explanations haven’t yet accounted for. Now, quantum science is beginning to offer a
richer framework that resonates with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concept of Qi and
meridians.
An Introduction to Qi
At the heart of TCM lies the belief that the human body is an interconnected energetic system.
Qi—the life force that animates us—flows through meridian pathways. When Qi becomes
blocked, deficient, or scattered, we experience imbalance, discomfort, or disease. Acupuncture is
used to restore balance and flow, not just in the physical body, but in the energetic field that
surrounds and interpenetrates it.
What the Science Says
Quantum biology and biophysics are relatively new fields, but they’re already starting to shed
light on how acupuncture might influence the body in ways that transcend standard neurology or
biomechanics. Quantum coherence, tunnelling, and entanglement, concepts that once seemed the
exclusive domain of theoretical physics are now being studied in living systems. These
mechanisms suggest that information and energy can be transmitted throughout the body in ways
far faster and more subtle than previously understood.
Physicist Mae-Wan Ho proposed that the fascia, a connective tissue network rich in
collagen, functions as a liquid crystal matrix. This would allow it to conduct bioelectrical
signals and light-like communication through the body. Interestingly, this aligns with the
meridian system in Chinese medicine, which has long described an invisible yet functional
network underlying the surface anatomy.
Several studies support the idea that acupuncture points are unique energetic “nodes” in this
system. Research by Becker and Selden (1985) demonstrated that acupuncture points have lower
electrical impedance and higher conductance, suggesting they are prime sites for accessing the
body’s internal communication network. Ahn et al. (2008), publishing in the Journal of
Alternative and Complementary Medicine, found anatomical correlations between connective
tissue planes and meridian pathways, further grounding these traditional concepts in observable
structures.
More surprisingly, needling acupuncture points has been shown to alter ultraweak photon
emissions; light particles released by cells. Zhang et al. (2005) observed that acupuncture
influenced these biophoton emissions, suggesting a role in regulating cellular communication at
the quantum level. Functional MRI research, such as the work of Hui et al. (2005), has also
shown that needling can activate distant brain regions, demonstrating that acupuncture’s effects
are not merely local, but systemic.
Changing How We View the Body
What this emerging body of research is pointing to is a deeper truth: the body is not just a
biomechanical machine, it’s a dynamic field of energy, resonance, and information.
Acupuncture, rather than being a crude mechanical stimulus, may actually function more like a
tuning fork, restoring coherence to an out-of-sync system.
On a spiritual level, this makes intuitive sense. In many healing traditions, illness isn’t seen as
purely physical, but as a disturbance in the energetic or spiritual field of a person. From this
perspective, acupuncture works not just by influencing nerves and tissues, but by helping realign
the individual with their own internal harmony and with the greater flow of life. It becomes not
just a technique, but a ceremony of recalibration.
The Takeaway
We don’t need quantum physics to believe in acupuncture; its effectiveness has been
demonstrated through thousands of years of practice. But as science begins to catch up, it’s
exciting to see ancient wisdom validated in modern terms. Perhaps the future of medicine lies not
in replacing old models, but in bridging them: where Qi meets quanta, and tradition meets
tomorrow.
If you’re looking to start your acupuncture journey, you can book an appointment with Dr. Wood online, or email us at info@evolvevancouver.ca.
Please note that any advice in this article doesn’t replace personalized medical advice from a professional.