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Frontiers in Immunology 2023The system physiology approaches that emerge in western countries in recent years echo the holistic view of ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices that... (Review)
Review
The system physiology approaches that emerge in western countries in recent years echo the holistic view of ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices that deal with the root, rather than only the symptoms of diseases. Particularly, TCM practices, including acupuncture, emphasize the mobilization of self-healing mechanisms to bring back body homeostasis. Acupuncture has been practiced for over two thousand years to modulate body physiology stimulation at specific body regions (acupoints). With the development of various research on acupuncture therapy, its regulatory effect on the immune system has been gradually recognized, especially on immunological diseases, including infectious and allergic diseases. In this study, we reviewed the immunomodulatory mechanism of acupuncture and systematically integrates existing research to respectively elucidate the modulatory mechanisms of acupuncture on the innate immune system, adaptive immune system, and well-known neuroanatomical mechanisms, including intact somatosensory-autonomic reflex pathway. With the advances made in recent systems physiology studies, we now have a great opportunity to gain insight into how acupuncture modulates immunity, and subsequently improves its efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Acupuncture Therapy; Acupuncture; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Acupuncture Points; Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 37090714
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147718 -
Cells Mar 2022Mast cells are widely distributed in various parts of the human body and play a vital role in the progression of many diseases. Recently, the close relationship between... (Review)
Review
Mast cells are widely distributed in various parts of the human body and play a vital role in the progression of many diseases. Recently, the close relationship between mast cells and acupoints was elucidated, and the role of mast cells in acupuncture analgesia has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. Using mast cells, acupuncture analgesia and acupoint as key words to search CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science and other databases, combining the representative articles in these databases with the published research papers of our group, we summarized: The enrichment of mast cells and the dense arrangement of collagen fibers, microvessels, and nerves form the basis for acupoints as the reaction sites of acupuncture; acupuncture can cause the deformation of collagen fibers and activate TRPV channels on mast cells membrane, so as to stimulate mast cells to release bioactive substances and activate nerve receptors to generate analgesic effect; system biology models are set up to explain the quantitative process of information initiation and transmission at acupuncture points, and indicate that the acupuncture effect depends on the local mast cells density. In a conclusion, this review will give a scientific explanation of acupuncture analgesia from the material basis of acupoints, the local initiation, and afferent biological mechanism.
Topics: Acupuncture Analgesia; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Collagen; Humans; Mast Cells
PubMed: 35269483
DOI: 10.3390/cells11050860 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021So far, a number of acupuncture studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture treatment, mostly known at specific point ST36. However, there is no... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
So far, a number of acupuncture studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture treatment, mostly known at specific point ST36. However, there is no literature that oversaw the inflammation-regulatory effects of acupuncture in each tissue. Therefore, we investigated how acupuncture at specific acupoint ST36 regulates inflammation and its underlying mechanisms. We searched literatures on PubMed until July 2021 using the keywords "animal, acupuncture, ST36, inflammation, immune," and 292 literatures were searched. We ultimately selected 69 studies to determine the anti-inflammatory actions of acupuncture at ST36 and classified the changes of inflammatory mediators according to target regions. Forty-three studies were included in body fluids, 27 studies in the digestive system, 17 studies in the nervous system, and 30 studies in other tissues or organs. In this review, we found that acupuncture at ST36 has clinical benefits in relieving inflammation through several mechanisms such as vagus nerve activation, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signaling, macrophage polarization, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. We expect that these data will inform further studies related to ST36 acupuncture on inflammation.
Topics: Acupuncture; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Animals; Biomarkers; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Immunomodulation; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Neuroimmunomodulation; Signal Transduction; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35095910
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.813748 -
Current Opinion in Neurobiology Oct 2022Acupuncture has been practiced for more than 2000 years in China and now all over the world. One core idea behind this medical practice is that stimulation at specific... (Review)
Review
Acupuncture has been practiced for more than 2000 years in China and now all over the world. One core idea behind this medical practice is that stimulation at specific body regions (acupoints) can distantly modulate organ physiology, but the underlying scientific basis has been long debated. Here, I summarize evidence supporting that long-distant acupuncture effects operate partly through somato-autonomic reflexes, leading to activation of sympathetic and/or parasympathetic pathways. I then discuss how the patterning of the somatosensory system along the rostro-caudal axis and the cutaneous-deep tissue axis might explain acupoint specificity and selectivity in driving specific autonomic pathways, particularly those modulating gastrointestinal motility and systemic inflammation.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy
PubMed: 35780689
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102602 -
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian... Jun 2020Low back pain is a common condition that can be effectively treated by acupuncture. However, several treatment point prescriptions and further electrical needle... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Low back pain is a common condition that can be effectively treated by acupuncture. However, several treatment point prescriptions and further electrical needle stimulation (i.e., local acupoints, distal acupoints, and sensitized acupoints) may be used. There is an implicit yet unexplored assumption about the evidence on manual and electrical stimulation techniques.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to identify effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) on pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back.
METHODS
This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty-six patients between 20 and 60 years of age with non-specific chronic low back pain experiencing low back pain lasting for at least the previous three months and ≥3 points on a 10 numerical analogic scale. Patients diagnosed with chronic LBP were assigned to receive either 12 sessions of MA or EA. The primary outcomes measurements were pain intensity on Numeric Rating Scale and disability by Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire.
RESULTS
The participants reported improvements post-treatment to pain intensity and disability respectively; however, no differences between groups were observed. Regarding the secondary outcomes, we observed a between-group difference only for kinesiophobia in favor of the manual acupuncture group (difference = -4.1 points, 95% CI = -7.0 to -1.1). The results were maintained after 3 months of follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The study provides evidence that EA is not superior to MA treatment. Both therapies had similar efficacy in reducing pain and disability for chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Adult; Electroacupuncture; Female; Humans; Low Back Pain; Male; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32224119
DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2020.03.064 -
Advances in Clinical and Experimental... Sep 2023Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)... (Review)
Review
Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with acupuncture point stimulation. Due to its noninvasive nature, it possesses relative advantages over traditional acupuncture and needle-based electrostimulation. Despite the large number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) describing the effectiveness of TEAS in different applications, its role and mechanism are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to systematically compare and summarize the latest studies examining a variety of TEAS applications in clinical practice. Databases, including Medline (PubMed), Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched without any time restrictions (as of March 2021). The analysis was performed according to the Cochrane Collaboration criteria. Out of 637 studies, only 22 RCTs were selected. Nine studies evaluated the impact of TEAS on nausea and vomiting (NV), showing beneficial effects compared to standard therapy. Eight RCTs examined the effectiveness of TEAS in pain management, reporting pain alleviation described using the visual analog scale (VAS) and lowering of total opioid doses. Improvement of postoperative recovery, in vitro fertilization and pregnancy outcomes, as well as display of cardioprotective properties were found to positively correlate with TEAS. As a noninvasive modality with advantages over classical acupuncture and needle-based electrostimulation, TEAS may be a valuable tool in clinical practice, particularly for pain and NV management. However, considering the methodological quality of the RCTs, rigorous large-scale clinical trials are required to evaluate the clinical utility of this method.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Acupuncture Points; Pain Management; Vomiting; Nausea; Pain
PubMed: 37026972
DOI: 10.17219/acem/159703 -
Journal of Oral Science Oct 2021The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of laser acupuncture and intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) for managing anxiety in pediatric... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of laser acupuncture and intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) for managing anxiety in pediatric dentistry. Eighty-four children recruited at a university dental clinic were randomly assigned to three groups: the Sham group (n = 27) underwent sham laser irradiation of three acupuncture points, the ILIB group (n = 25) underwent 10 min of ILIB, and the laser acupuncture group (LAC, n = 32) underwent 40 s of laser acupuncture over points VG20 (Baihui), PC6 (Neiguan), and the Oppression Point. The results suggest that ILIB and laser acupuncture are feasible alternatives for managing dental anxiety in children.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Child; Dental Anxiety; Humans; Lasers
PubMed: 34408110
DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.21-0025 -
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture... Oct 2023Acupoint is the basis of acupuncture. To elaborate the theory of acupuncture, the structure and function of acupoint should be clarified in advance. By exploring the...
Acupoint is the basis of acupuncture. To elaborate the theory of acupuncture, the structure and function of acupoint should be clarified in advance. By exploring the discussion upon the classification, distribution and structure of acupoint in (), (on meridian points and extra points), (on convergence of joints) and (on three-dimensional structure of acupoint) are extracted. Based on whether located on the fixed sites, acupoints are classified into meridian points and extra points, while the meridian points are divided into 4 categories, i.e , , and . The convergence of joints illustrates the principal rule of acupoint distribution. The density of the major and key acupoints is proportional to the size and the complexity of function of joints. Acupoint is recognized as a three-dimensional structure in consideration of its external distribution on the body surface and the substances inside the body, which can be explored and examined. In addition, the relationship between meridian points and extra points, the significance of meridian points in different conditions, and the approaches to acupoint study are deeply discussed and analyzed. The crucial problems and the way for solving them are proposed for the future study to provide the references to the inheritance and innovation of acupuncture.
Topics: Acupuncture Points; Meridians; Acupuncture Therapy; Acupuncture
PubMed: 37802528
DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230227-0002 -
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture... Jan 2023point is one of the three major categories of acupoint in acupuncture-moxibustion theory nowadays. It is originally recorded in () as one of the effective folk...
point is one of the three major categories of acupoint in acupuncture-moxibustion theory nowadays. It is originally recorded in () as one of the effective folk methods. The theoretic development of point goes through the innovation period of contemporary and modern acupuncture-moxibustion theory, specifically in three aspects, definition, property and status. Through the analysis of historical data, it is found that the bias of point theory results from the misunderstanding of connotation, the distortion of application techniques, the misinterpretation of semantics and the gradual promotion of status. All of these are generally caused by the reform of acupuncture-moxibustion theory in Japan, which covers the essence of point, limits its connotation and clouds the concept of acupoint. It is necessary to re-understand the literal sense and theoretic construction of point and timely update the knowledge system of acupuncture-moxibustion in association with the results of theoretical researches.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Moxibustion; Acupuncture; Acupuncture Points; Japan
PubMed: 36633246
DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220618-k0003 -
The Journal of Nervous and Mental... Feb 2022
Topics: Acupressure; Acupuncture Points; Humans
PubMed: 35080519
DOI: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001501