Elsevier

Medical Hypotheses

Volume 54, Issue 3, March 2000, Pages 358-359
Medical Hypotheses

Regular Article
What is the material base of acupuncture? The nerves!

https://doi.org/10.1054/mehy.1999.0846Get rights and content

Abstract

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical method which has been used in the treatment of patients for thousands of years. It is rejected by modern science for lack of solid material background. In recent years, more and more laboratory proof has accumulated that acupuncture can change the charge and potential of neurons, the concentrations of K+, Na+, Ca++and the content of neuro-transmitters such as aspartate, and taurine and the quantities of neuro-peptides such as β-endorphin and leu-enkephalin. All these phenomena are directly related to nerve cells. Now the lengthy discussion may conclude that nerve cells and the central nervous system are the real material base of acupuncture.

References (12)

  • T.N. Lee

    Thalamic neuron theory: a hypothesis concerning pain and acupuncture

    Med Hypotheses

    (1977)
  • C. Chiang

    A model of acupuncture effect

    Physiol Chem Physics

    (1978)
  • X. Liu et al.

    The relation of the relative specificity of point to channel lines or spinal segments [Chinese]

    Chen Tzu Yen Chiu Acupuncture Research

    (1995)
  • Zhou, L. Role of opioid peptides of rat’s nucleus reticulari paragigantocellularis lateralis (RPGL) in acupuncture...
  • Zhao, P. Effects of electroacupuncture on extracellular contents of amino acid neurotransmitters in rat striatum...
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (28)

  • Spatial topological analysis of sympathetic neurovascular characteristic of acupoints in Ren meridian using advanced tissue-clearing and near infrared II imaging

    2021, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
    Citation Excerpt :

    Such cascades begin within the acupoint microenvironment, spread through the meridian network regulated by the NEI, and end with an effect on the target organs [14,15]. Using computed tomography, dense micro-vessels were found in acupoints [16,17], while histochemical staining revealed dense nerve bundles in acupoints [18–20]. However, the exact relationships among these neurovascular components are unclear [21].

  • Points with Similar Structure–Function Relationships and Clinical Properties

    2014, Llama and Alpaca Care: Medicine, Surgery, Reproduction, Nutrition, and Herd Health
  • Acupuncture in the Camelid

    2013, Llama and Alpaca Care: Medicine, Surgery, Reproduction, Nutrition, and Herd Health: First Edition
  • Laser acupuncture therapy for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

    2011, Journal of Urology
    Citation Excerpt :

    The released enkephalins are believed to cause presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibition of the type C and A-delta nerve fibers where they synapse in the dorsal horn.17 Following the acupuncture application, a change has been reported in the neuronal concentrations of K+, Na+ and Ca+, and the content of neurotransmitters such as aspartate, as well as the quantities of neuropeptides such as beta-endorphin, leucine enkephalins in the central nervous system.20 The researchers have emphasized that the effects of acupuncture are regulated by the previously mentioned mechanisms and electroacupuncture application contributes to a significant change in the action potential of the nerve cell.20,21

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text