Research & Acupuncture

 

Physiological Effects of Acupuncture
Over the last few decades, research had been conducted seeking to explain how
acupuncture works and what it can and cannot treat.

The 1997 National Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus on Acupuncture reports that
" studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses,
mediated mainly by sensory neurons, to many structures within the central nervous
system. This can lead to activation of pathways, affecting various physiological
systems in the brain, as well as in the periphery." 1

The NIH Consensus also suggests that acupuncture "may activate the hypothalamus
and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in
the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, and changes in the regulation
of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally, have been documented. There is also
evidence of alterations of immune functions produced by acupuncture." 2

Current theories on the mechanisms of acupuncture:

  1. Neurotransmitter Theory: Acupuncture affects higher brain areas, stimulating the
    secretion of beta-endorphins and enkephalins in the brain and spinal cord. The
    release of neurotransmitters influences the immune system and the antinociceptive
    systems. 3,4,5
  2. Autonomic Nervous System Theory: Acupuncture stimulates the release of
    norepinephrine, acetyllcholine and several types of opioids, affecting changes in their
    turnover rate, normalizing the autonomic nervous system, and reducing pain. 6,7
  3. Gate Control Theory: Acupuncture activates non-nociceptive receptors that inhibit
    the transmission of nociceptive signals in the dorsal horn, "gating out" painful stimuli. 8
  4. Vascular-interstitial Theory: Acupuncture manipulates the electrical system of the
    body by creating or enhancing closed-circuit transport in tissues. This facilitates
    healing by allowing the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and
    injured tissues. 9
  5. Blood Chemistry Theory: Acupuncture affects the blood concentrations of
    triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids, suggesting that acupuncture can both
    raise and diminish peripheral blood components thereby regulating the body toward
    homeostasis. 10

According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 51% of medical
doctors understand the efficacy and value of acupuncture, and medical doctors refer
patients to acupuncturists more than any other alternative care provider. 11

The NIH Consensus on Acupuncture further states that clinical experience, supported
by research data, suggests "acupuncture may be a reasonable option for a number of
clinical conditions." 12

Evidence also points to positive clinical trials that "include addiction, stroke
rehabilitation, carpel tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and headaches." The
Consensus also mentions that acupuncture treatments may be helpful for other
conditions such as asthma, postoperative pain, myofascial pain, and low back pain. 13

"One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is
substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used
for the same conditions. As an example, musculoskeletal conditions, such as
fybromyalgia, myofascial pain, and tennis elbow, or epicondylitis, are conditions for
which acupuncture may be beneficial. These painful conditions are often treated with,
among other things, anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) or with
steroid injections. Both medical interventions have a potential for deleterious side
effects, but are still widely used and are considered acceptable treatments. The
evidence supporting these therapies is no better than that for acupuncture." 14

Research compiled by www.acupuncturemediaworks.com

1, 2, 12, 13, 14 National Institute of Health (NIH) - NIH Consensus Conference of Acupuncture, Program and Abstracts (Bethesda, MD, Nov 3-5 1997).
3 Neuro-acupuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed, 2001 Cho, ZH., et al., p. 128
4 Acupuncture - A scientific appraisal, Ernst, E., White A., 1999, p. 74 5 Acupuncture Energetics - A clinical approach for physicians, Helms, Dr. J. 1997, p. 41-42
6 Anatomy of Neuro-Anatomical Acupuncture, Vol 1, Wong, Dr. J., p. 34
7 Han, J.S. "Acupuncture Activates Endogenous Systems of Analgesia." NIH Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Program and Abstracts (Bethesda, MD, Nov 3-5 1997).
8 Neuro-acupuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed, 2001 Cho, ZH., et al., p. 116
9 Acupuncture Energetics - A clinical approach for physicians, Helms, Dr. J. 1997, p. 66
10 Acupuncture Energetics - A clinical approach for physicians, Helms, Dr. J. 1997, p. 41
11 Astin, J. A. et. al., A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians, Arch Intern Med., 1998; (158):2303-10.