MODEL RELEASED. Acupuncture. Acupuncturist inserting needles into a patient's legs. These needles are placed in the skin at specific points on the body along energy lines known as meridians. Disorders are cured by altering the flow of life energy (Qi) along the meridians. In Western acupuncture it is believed that the needles also stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.