The mechanistic studies of acupuncture and moxibustion in Taiwan

Abstract

Traditional Chinese acupuncture has a history of over 2500 years. It is effective in the treatment of many conditions with few side effects. The best known mechanism is via endogenous opiates and their receptors. In addition to opioids, researchers have focused on the role of central monoamimergic systems. Acupuncture therapy is used not only to relieve pain but also to treat various medical conditions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Some experiments have revealed a relationship between acupuncture and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Besides, electroacupuncture (EA) can modulate the imbalance between innate and acquired immune systems. This review is focusing on the mechanistic studies of acupuncture that my colleagues and I have performed in Taiwan in recent years. We found that EA analgesia was closely related to not only the serotonergic neurons but also the adrenergic neurons in the central nervous system. The electrophysiological recordings suggested the involvement of the cerebral cortex in acupuncture. Local somatothermal stimulation inhibited the motility of sphincter of Oddi and internal anal sphincter through nitrergic neural release of nitric oxide. Mild local heat stress upregulated hepatic gene expression of heat shock protein 70 and protected the liver from subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury. These studies supplement the knowledge of the mechanism of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Differentially Affects the High-Frequency Spectral Energy in Radial Pulse Positions Depending on Type of Lower Back Pain

“…The acupuncture needles were inserted within the defined safe range of 12.5–25 mm for BL25 and BL40, and within 12.5–40 mm for BL23 [11]. The needles were retained for 20 min after the needling sensation ( De-qi ) was manually stimulated with sufficient stimulus intensity during insertion and subsequently repeated 10 min after the insertion.…”

Study protocol for a single-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial of Tianjiu effects in patients with intradialytic hypotension

“…17 Tianjiu therapy has been used to modulate autonomic nervous activity, neurotransmitter levels, endogenous substance levels and levels of inflammatory factors, and to strengthen cerebral, cardiovascular and renal function. [18][19][20][21] In TCM theory, symptomatic IDH is aetiologically caused by the derangement of Qi-blood and subsequent prostration of Yang-Qi in the human body during the rapid fluid removal of HD. Accumulating evidence shows that applying moxibustion to specific acupoints has a therapeutic effect on clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with HD.…”

P2X7 receptor of rat dorsal root ganglia is involved in the effect of moxibustion on visceral hyperalgesia

“…Moxibustion is a therapy which applies the ignited mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris from traditional Chinese medicine) directly or indirectly at acupuncture points or other specific parts of the body to cure diseases [17][18][19]. The mechanisms of moxibustion action possibly involve the combination of heat (burning pain and heat stress), tar (extract), aroma (fume), and psychological stress [20][21][22]. Moxibustion on heat-sensitive acupoints is a new therapy [23,24].…”