The Science of Acupuncture

As an acupuncturist, one question I’m often asked is, “Do you believe in science?”

It’s a curious question, and I’m sometimes unsure how to respond. After all, science isn’t something you “believe” in—it’s a process: a systematic way of understanding nature through observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and evidence. It’s not a fixed set of beliefs or a competing ideology. So, to “believe” or “not believe” in science doesn’t really make sense. The better question is:

Can acupuncture be explained by science?And if not (yet), is it still a legitimate form of healthcare?

Let’s explore both.

Can Science Explain Acupuncture?

The short answer: Yes—eventually.

Science is an ever-evolving framework. Just because something isn't fully explained now doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future. While traditional concepts like qi or yin and yang aren’t measurable or provable by current scientific standards, that doesn’t automatically discredit acupuncture. Instead, it highlights a gap—an opportunity—for scientific exploration.

Over the past two decades, researchers have been studying acupuncture’s effects using MRI imaging, biochemical markers, and neurophysiological measures. Promising evidence suggests acupuncture may influence the nervous system, stimulate endorphin release, and regulate blood flow. But consensus on its precise mechanism remains elusive.

If you're curious, this review article in Nature Reviews Neuroscience summarizes some of the modern scientific efforts to understand acupuncture. (If you'd rather dive into the heated debates, well, the internet has plenty of that too.)

For now, we must acknowledge that acupuncture's mechanisms aren't fully explained by current science—but that doesn't invalidate it.

Is Acupuncture Still a Valid Form of Healthcare?

Absolutely.

The scientific process starts with experience and observation. Theories are formed based on what people see, feel, and report—then tested. If we waited to accept the benefits of something until we fully understood it, we'd still be in the Stone Age.

Take gravity. People used it long before Isaac Newton described it mathematically. Farmers knew that apples fell to the ground, and builders understood weight long before scientific theories explained why. Should they have waited for peer-reviewed studies before trusting gravity?

Or consider fire. Early humans harnessed fire to cook food, stay warm, and keep predators away. They didn’t need to understand oxidation reactions or ignition points to benefit from it. Waiting for a scientific explanation would have meant freezing in the dark.

In both cases, the experience came before the explanation—and thank goodness for that.

The same is true for acupuncture. Billions of people over thousands of years have benefited from it. This collective experience is not just valid—it’s exactly what science should be investigating.

Why Science and Acupuncture Need Each Other

The more we apply scientific tools to acupuncture, the better we’ll understand it—and the better care we’ll be able to offer. Just as studying gravity and fire led to rockets and electricity, exploring acupuncture through science can enhance both Eastern and Western approaches to healing.

So, rather than dismiss acupuncture because it doesn’t fit neatly into our current scientific box, let’s expand the box. Let’s keep asking questions, running experiments, and deepening our understanding.

We’ll all benefit in the long run.