Anisotropic Tissue Motion Induced by Acupuncture Needling Along Intermuscular Connective Tissue Planes

Abstract

Objectives: Acupuncture needle manipulation causes mechanical deformation of connective tissue, which in turn results in mechanical stimulation of fibroblasts, with active changes in cell shape and autocrine purinergic signaling. We have previously shown using ultrasound elastography in humans that acupuncture needle manipulation causes measurable movement of tissue up to several centimeters away from the needle. The goal of this study was to quantify the spatial pattern of tissue displacement and deformation (shear strain) in response to acupuncture needling along an intermuscular connective tissue plane compared with needling over the belly of a muscle. Design: Eleven (11) healthy human subjects underwent a single testing session during which robotic acupuncture needling was performed while recording tissue displacement using ultrasound. Outcome measures were axial and lateral tissue displacement as well as lateral shear strain calculated using ultrasound elastography postprocessing. Results: Tissue displacement and strain extended further in the longitudinal direction when needling between muscles, and in the transverse direction when needling over the belly of a muscle. Conclusions: The anisotropic tissue motion observed in this study may influence the spatial distribution of local connective tissue cellular responses following acupuncture needle manipulation.

Motion acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: principles and methods

“…The exact mechanism of how the fascial system mediates the therapeutic effect of motion acupuncture remains to be investigated. Current studies have shown that fibroblasts in fascia respond rapidly to acupuncture with active remodeling of their cytoskeleton and autocrine purinergic signaling, and modulating the composition and organization of extracellular matrix, which play an active role in regulating the connective tissue tension and viscoelastic relaxation, thereby reducing the musculoskeletal pain (28). Future studies would be needed to investigate how motion acupuncture is integrated into these pathways, as well as the molecular and cellular mechanism that underlies its therapeutic effects.…”

Acupuncture and Neural Mechanism in the Management of Low Back Pain—An Update

“…Manipulation of acupuncture needle results in deformation of connective tissues and thus alters the structure of fibroblasts [ 197 , 261 , 262 , 263 , 264 ]. Such micro-injury caused by the puncturing of the acupuncture needle in the skin results in release of ATP [ 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 , 199 , 200 , 201 , 265 , 266 ].…”

“…Needle grasp allows further movements of the needle to pull and deform the connective tissue surrounding the needle, delivering some of its effects through mechanical influence on the connective tissue matrix [ 159 , 279 , 280 , 281 ]. In addition, the manipulation of the acupuncture needle causes remodeling of fibroblasts in the connective tissue [ 261 , 262 , 263 , 264 ].…”

Acupuncture – Basic Research and Clinical Application

“…Manipulation of acupuncture needle results in deformation of connective tissues and thus alters the structure of fibroblasts [197,[261][262][263][264]. Such micro-injury caused by the puncturing of the acupuncture needle in the skin results in release of ATP [195][196][197][198][199][200][201]265,266].…”