Modern Research and Acupuncture

"There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine."
- National Institutes of Health, 1997 Consensus of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been employed as a health care modality for over 3,000 years. Practitioners of this ancient medical practice have experienced clinical success with a variety of health issues. Today, acupuncture is receiving wide acceptance as a respected, valid and effective form of health care.

When most people think about acupuncture, they are familiar with its use for pain control. But acupuncture has a proven track record of treating and addressing a variety of endocrine, circulatory and systemic conditions.

Acupuncture and modern medicine combined together have the potential to support, strengthen and nurture a patient to regain vital health and well-being.

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

The 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus of Acupuncture reported 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 suggested 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 in immune functions produced by acupuncture."²

Below are current theories on the mechanism 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 system.^3,4,5

2. Autonomic Nervous System Theory-Acupuncture stimulates the release of norepinephrine, acetylcholine 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 stated 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, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and headache." The Consensus also mentioned that acupuncture treatment may be helpful for other conditions such as asthma, postoperative pain, myofascial pain and low back pain.¹³

This ancient health care system is proving itself as an effective modality for a wide variety of problems. So much so that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) awarded 8 grants that directly relate to acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese medical research, totaling more than $9.5 million dollars.

"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 fibromyalgia, 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

Acupuncture works as an effective alternative and adjunct treatment modality. It is a safe, effective, and natural approach to help regain and maintain health and well being.

Modern Research

Acupuncture & Fertility - A study published in the journal Fertility & Sterility, found acupuncture improves pregnancy success rate by 50% in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization. Paulus W, et. al., Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. J Fertility and Sterility, 2002 April;77(4):721-4.

Acupuncture & Insomnia - In the treatment of insomnia, acupuncture yields significant results with a total effective rate of 90.44%, improves the quality of sleep and overcomes complications induced by sleep medication, Sok, SR, et. al., The effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia. JAdv Nurs., 2003 Nov;44(4):375-84. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002 Dec.;22 (4):276-77.

Acupuncture & Gastritis - A study from the Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine concluded that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of chronic gastritis, resulting in a 95% effective rate. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003 Dec.;23(4):278-79.

Acupuncture & Shoulder Periarthritis - Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of shoulder periarthritis. Of the 210 subjects studied, 158 were cured, 40 improved and 12 showed no significant improvement. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003 Sept.;23(3):201-02.

Acupuncture & Fibromyalgia - A study conducted by the University of Washington and the Center for Health Studies at Group Health Hospital suggests that more than half of all participants had clinically meaningful improvements in pain (46%), fatigue (51%), sleep (47%) and general well-being (45%). Another study suggests that acupuncture demonstrates positive change in the Visual Analogue Scale, myalgic index, number of tender points and improvement in quality of life based on the SF-36 questionnaire. Soc. for Acupuncture Research - Tenth Ann. Symposium 2003;29. Targino, RA., et. al., Curr Pain Headache Rep., 2002 Oct.;(5):379-83.

Acupuncture & Blood Pressure - Patients treated with acupuncture had an overall decrease in the level of systolic pressure during and after treatment. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003 Mar.;23(1):49-0.

Electro-Acupuncture & Immune Function During Chemotherapy - Electro-acupuncture can strengthen immune function, hematopoietic function and improve appetite, sleep, alleviate pain and digestive distress. Another study suggests acupuncture is able to normalize the pattern of leukocytes. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002 Mar.;22 (1):21-3. Mori, H., et. al., Unique modulation by electro-acupuncture in humans possibly via stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. Neurosci Lett., 2002 Mar.1;320(1-2);21-4.

Acupuncture & Chronic Migraine - Patients who received acupuncture to treat chronic headaches, particularly migraines, experienced the equivalent of 22 fewer days of headaches per year, used 15% less medication and missed 15% fewer days of work. Another study systematically reviewed 22 randomized controlled trials, concluding acupuncture "has a role in the treatment of recurrent headaches" and can lead to other various clinical benefits for patients with chronic headache. Vickers AJ, et al. BMJ, 2004 Mar. 27;328(7442). Cephalgia, Nov.; 1999.

Acupuncture & Depression - All subjects receiving acupuncture for major depression significantly improved to a greater extent than those not receiving treatment. Another study suggests that electro-acupuncture can produce the same therapeutic results as tetracyclic drugs, but with fewer side effects and better symptomatic improvement. Acupuncture Treatment for Major Depression, The Tenth Annual Symposium of the Soc. for Acupuncture Research, 2003. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2004 Sep.;24(3):172-6.

Acupuncture & Allergies - Acupuncture had an extensive action against type 1 allergic reaction, and the curative effect of the patients receiving acupuncture was higher than in the desensitization group in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1993 Dec.;13(4):243-8.

Acupuncture & Morning Sickness - Acupuncture administered to pregnant women before opioid premedication significantly reduced postoperative sickness up to 6-8 hours, and acupressure applied to specific acupoints reduced morning sickness. In the 2002 issue of the Journal of Birth, a study found that acupuncture is an effective treatment option for women experiencing nausea and other pregnancy related discomfort—without adverse side effects. Acu. and Electro-Therapeutics Research, 1990;15(3-4):211-5.

Acupuncture & Asthma - Symptoms of bronchial asthma were markedly improved after acupuncture treatments, and the dosage of patients' medication was gradually reduced. Another study suggests improvement of the quality of life for patients with clinically stable, chronic obstructive asthma when conventional care is combined with acupuncture. J Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1998 Mar.;18 (1):27-0. JAItern. Comp. Med., 2003 Oct.;9(5):659-0.

Acupuncture & Arthritis - A randomized, controlled trial conducted by the University of Maryland School of Medicine suggests that acupuncture can provide effecive pain relief and improve function for osteoarthritis of the knee. Berman, BM., et al., Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, Dec.21,2004;141(12)901-910.

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of:

References

1,2,12,13,14 National Institutes of Health (NIH) - National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Program & Abstracts (Bethesda, MD, November 3-5, 1997). Office of Alternative Medicine and Office of Medical Applications of Research. Bethesda.

3 Neuro-acupuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed, 2001 Cho, ZH., et al., page 128.

4 Acupuncture -A scientific appraisal, Ernst, E., White, A., 1999, page 74.

5 Acupuncture Energetics - A clinical approach for Physicians, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, page 41-42.

6 Anatomy of Neuro-Anatomical Acupuncture, Volume 1, Wong, Dr. J., page 34.

7 Han, J.S. "Acupuncture Activates Endogenous Systems of Analgesia." National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Program & Abstracts (Bethesda, MD, November 3-5,1997). Office of Alternative Medicine and Office of Medical Applications of Research. Bethesda.

8 Neuro-acupuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed, Cho, ZH., et al„ page 116.

9 Acupuncture Energetics - A clinical approach for Physicians, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, page 66.

10 Acupuncture Energetics-A clinical approach for Physicians, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, page 41.

11 Astin, JA., et. al., A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians. Arch Intern Med., 1998;(158):2303-10.

This article was provided by Acupuncture Media Works

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DAVID N. BOLE, Ph.D., A.P. is director of the Traditional Acupuncture Center, a holistic health care facility offering a multi-dimensional approach to health and healing. Read more about Dr. Bole...