Acupuncture Reserach

ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE - Analgesia - There may be a functional if not an anatomical relationship between acupuncture points, meridians, and the nervous system. Acupuncture appears to activate endogenous substances which inhibit nociceptive transmission. One theory is that the acupuncture analgesia occurs as a generalized stress response or as a result of an individualūs suggestibility. The choice of stimulation modality may influence the clinical outcome. Different forms of stimulation such as electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can activate different pathways to produce analgesia. Neural and humoral mechanisms by themselves do not fully explain acupuncture analgesia. For analgesia, point specificity in acupuncture is less crucial than for other types of therapeutic intervention, such as for vomiting. Acupuncture directed at the management of pain, done correctly, can increase oxygenation of cardiac muscles, reduce gastric acidity, and control inflammatory responses. "The Mechanism of Acupuncture Analgesia: A Review," Sims, J., Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 1997;5:102-111. (Address: Jane Sims, Division of General Practice and Primary Care, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom) 27816 [neu]

ACUPUNCTURE - Animal - This article reviews the debate on whether trained and licensed acupuncturists for humans should be able to perform acupuncture on animals. As early as 1,100 B.C., veterinary medicine and human acupuncture were considered separate branches of medicine in China. Proponents of legislation which will allow human acupuncturists to practice on animals after consulting with a licensed veterinarian recommend that the acupuncturist complete an animal acupuncture training program of 135 hours and be certified as an animal acupuncturist. Proponents of the measure encourage collaboration between human acupuncturists and veterinarians. "Acupuncture on Animals Raises Questions," Suzik, Holly Ann, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 15, 1997;210(12):1711,1715. 27623 [acu, vet]

ACUPUNCTURE - Endorphin - This review article notes that there are several lines of evidence which support the endorphin- mediated mechanism of acupuncture analgesia. High- or low- frequency stimulation by electrical acupuncture has been shown to release several types of endorphins. "Acupuncture: A Review," Hsu, Dora T., Regional Anesthesia, 1996;21(4):361-370. (Address: Dora T. Hsu, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology, UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90509 U.S.A.) 25935 [neu]