Acupuncture acupuncture is based on scientific evidence that shows the treatment can stimulate nerves under the skin and in muscle tissue this results in the body producing pain relieving substances such as endorphins it is likely these substances are responsible for any beneficial effects seen with this form of acupuncture traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy or 34life force34 flows through the body in channels called meridians this life force is known as