Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, filiform needles into the tissues and skin at specific points in the body. The treatment itself causes minimal discomfort, and encourages the body to heal naturally and offers pain relief by stimulating the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, brain and spinal cord. The chemicals released either change the experience of pain (known as creating an analgesic effect) or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones that influence the body’s internal regulating system.