This study by Yu et al. focuses on investigating the neural representations of somatic perception in acupuncture using electroencephalogram (EEG) readings. Acupuncture is a common therapeutic practice in traditional Chinese medicine and has been shown to regulate immune and nervous system function. By inserting needles into certain acupoints, acupuncture can stimulate the peripheral and central nervous system, potentially treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. To understand how acupuncture affects the nervous system, Yu et al. estimated power spectrum density (PSD) from EEG signals and observed brain activity. They found that stimulation from acupuncture activated the parietal lobe of the brain and also enhanced the periodic power of alpha oscillations. Alpha power has been shown to influence brain cognition and the somatosensory cortex is located in the parietal lobe. Additionally, functional brain network analysis suggested that acupuncture may enhance network connectivity in the brain as well as make information transmission more efficient. In conclusion, the enhanced brain activity in the parietal lobe and presence of alpha power provides evidence that the somatic perception in acupuncture has significant effects on neural encoding.