Under the Needle: Physiological Mechanisms of Needling
A clear, practical look at the structures and mechanisms activated during acupuncture. Understand what your needle touches, what déqì really means, and how physiology supports your clinical outcomes.
The Physiology of Déqì: Tissue Response and Clinical Effect
Pinpoint what your needle is actually affecting. Learn the differences in tissue response based on technique, depth, and anatomical location.
Learn at your own comfort
On-Demand Video
Embed the knowledge
CEU/CPD/PDAs
By taking this course, you will
- Identify the anatomical and physiological structures engaged during acupuncture needling.
- Describe the nature of déqì and how it relates to tissue response and clinical efficacy.
- Recognize the physiological effects of both superficial and deep needling techniques.
- Differentiate between specific and non-specific effects of acupuncture, including sham needling responses.
- Apply knowledge of needling mechanisms to improve clinical communication and treatment precision.
Course Overview
This course explores the tissues and systems engaged when we insert a needle—whether lightly or deeply. Knowing what’s physically touched and activated gives clarity to our technical choices.
Understanding Déqì
More than a sensation, déqì represents a physiological process. You’ll learn what it reflects in the body, how to recognize it, and how it relates to treatment effectiveness.
Mechanisms in Motion
Acupuncture triggers specific physiological responses—locally, segmentally, and systemically. These are essential to both the clinical outcome and how we explain acupuncture in modern terms.
From Classics to Research
We draw from both traditional frameworks and current biomedical research. This combination brings depth and contemporary relevance to our practice, especially in communication with patients and other health professionals.
Clinical Relevance
Whether you use minimal needling or strong manual techniques, understanding what’s happening under the surface helps sharpen your method and guide patient expectations.
This course is approved for CEU by:
Disclaimer | Before You Purchase
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NCCAOM PDA Course Participant Attestation
By registering for this course, I agree to abide by the NCCAOM PDA Course Participant Attestation.
I understand that the information in this course presented by the Provider and/or Instructor(s) is for educational purposes only and should only be applied with appropriate clinical judgment and used by a trained and licensed
practitioner. Governmental laws and regulations vary from region to region and the contents of this course vary in permissible usage. The participant is required to check their local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding the practice requirements and scope of practice issues and the use of the information of this course including, but not limited to, theory, herbal medicine, and acupuncture. I acknowledge that NCCAOM does not endorse any specific treatment regimens of any kind. Furthermore, if I use any modalities or treatments taught in this course, I agree to waive, release, indemnify, discharge, and covenant not to sue NCCAOM from and against any liability, claims, demands, or causes of action whatsoever, arising out of any injury, loss, or damage that a person may sustain related to the use of the information in this course. I understand that this Release is governed by the laws of District of Columbia, U.S.A. and shall survive the termination or expiration of this course.
Unlimited Access
Once purchased, we grant you a lifetime access license. See more on our Terms of Use page.
We encourage you to return to courses as learning continues; in each view, we learn and understand new things.
CEU/CPD/PDA
Unless otherwise stated, CEU/PDA/CPD requirements must be completed within 1 year of the purchase. You are advised to print and save your certificate for your records and under your association requirements.
Dimploamtes of NCCAOM & Floridas members need to fill in a form after completing their courses for us to submit the points. CAB & Fachverband members need to write to us an email upon completing their courses to get the required documents. Look for our email after the completion of the course.
Course Content
About the Teacher
Course Includes
- 1:10 Hours Course Duration
- Course Certificate
- Course Credits
ACICertificate 
AGTCMCertificate 
CALIFORNIA1 hours 
NCCAOM1 CEU's 
TCM FACHVERBAND1 Hours 
ACUPUNCTURE NZCertificate 
NZASACertificate -
Course Reviews
November 30, 2024Well done Clare. I enjoyed it very much and like your presentation style. It is a pity that some reference was not made to the uses of distal versus local needling from a science perspective, particularly any science behind the use of opposite side or mirror needling. i accept that the course was only 1 hour long
November 30, 2024I would like to know if itching at the needle insertion point is a sensation that was experienced by Claire and what it means. This is 1 needle(causing itching) inserted with many needles inserted(no itchiness) for a treatment. This was incredibly interesting!
November 30, 2024I found this course extremely interesting and fascinating. Claire is very knowledgeable and can explain her concepts easily and clearly. I highly recommend this course.
April 22, 2023What a valuable presentation she gave for all of us! Like you, I deeply appreciate her sharing her work and important research with us. I LOVE that she talks about concepts to which she subscribed for years and decides based on her new discoveries, experience and expertise that she no longer agrees… and why. The authenticity she brings inspires trust in her work and in the practice in general.
Her ability to put all of this into simple language, bridging the gap to easy access for Westerners is such a needed gift.
April 11, 2023V informative class on the physiological mechanisms of needling. Thank you clare for your clarity and for your research in this matter. I feel able to explain the mechanisms to patients with much more confidence ????
