HOW ACUPUNCTURE WORKS - MODERN RESEARCH
Physiological Effects of Acupuncture
The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that “studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can
cause multiple biological responses, mediated mainly by sensory neurons, to many structures within
the central nervous system. This can lead to activation of pathways, affecting various physiological
systems in the brain, as well as in the periphery.” NIH also suggests that acupuncture “may activate the
hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in
the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, and changes in the regulation of blood flow,
both centrally and peripherally, have been documented. There is also evidence of alterations in
immune functions produced by acupuncture.”
Current Theories on the Mechanism of Acupuncture
1. Neurotransmitter Theory- Acupuncture affects higher brain areas, stimulating the secretion
of beta-endorphins and enkephalins in the brain and spinal cord. The release of
neurotransmitters influences the immune system and the antinociceptive system.
2. Autonomic Nervous System Theory- Acupuncture stimulates the release of norepinephrine,
acetylcholine, and several types of opioids, affecting changes in their turnover rate, normalizing
the autonomic nervous system, and reducing pain.
3. Gate Control Theory- Acupuncture activates non-nociceptive receptors that inhibit the
transmission of nociceptive signals in the dorsal horn, “gating out” painful stimuli.
4. Vascular-interstitial Theory – Acupuncture manipulates the electrical system of the body by
creating or enhancing closed-circuit transport in tissues. This facilitates healing by allowing the
transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissues.
5. Blood Chemistry Theory – Acupuncture affects the blood concentrations of triglycerides,
cholesterol, and phospholipids, suggesting that acupuncture can both raise and diminish
peripheral blood components, thereby regulating the body toward homeostasis.
CURRENT RESEARCH ON SPECIFIC CONDITIONS
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Acupuncture can significantly relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms. European Journal of
Integrative Medicine. Nov 2008; 101(5): 535-543.
ALLERGIES
Acupuncture had an extensive action against type I allergic reaction, and the curative effect of
the patients receiving acupuncture was higher than in the desensitization group in allergic
asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic urticaria. Med J Aust, September 2007.
ARTHRITIS
A randomized, controlled trial conducted by the University of Maryland School of Medicine
suggests that acupuncture can provide effective pain relief and improve function for
osteoarthritis of the knee. Annals of Internal Medicine, December 2004.
ASTHMA
Symptoms of bronchial asthma were markedly improved after acupuncture treatments, and the
dosage of patients’ medication was gradually reduced. Another study suggests improvement of
the quality of life for patients with clinically stable, chronic obstructive asthma when
conventional care is combined with acupuncture. Journal of Alter. Comp. Medicine, October
2003; Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, March 1998.
BREAST CANCER
Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side
effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating associated with beast cancer
treatment and has no treatment side effects compared to conventional drug therapy. American
Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting, Boston 2008.
Acupuncture reduces pain levels in cancer patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology Nov. 15,
2003; 21(22) : 4120-4126.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Acupuncture is as effective as the corticosteroid, prednisone, for the treatment of carpal tunnel
syndrome. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 25(4): 327-333, May 2009
CANCER/CHEMOTHERAPY
Electro-acupuncture can strengthen immune function, hematopoietic function and improve
appetite, sleep, alleviate pain and digestive distress. Another study suggests acupuncture is able
to normalize the pattern of leukocytes. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, March 2002;
Neuroscience Letters, March 2002.
CROHN’S DISEASE
Acupuncture found effective in treatment of Crohn’s disease. Digestion, 2004; 69(3): 131-139.
DEPRESSION
Electro-acupuncture can produce the same therapeutic results as tetracycline drugs, but with
fewer side effects and better symptomatic improvement. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, September 2004.
FIBROMYALGIA/CHRONIC PAIN
Using brain imagery, a University of Michigan study is the first to provide evidence that
acupuncture affects the brain’s long-term ability to regulate pain by acting on opiod receptors.
Journal of NeuroImage, Volume 47, Issue 3, September 2009, pp 1077-1085
GASTRITIS
A study from the Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine concluded that acupuncture
was effective in the treatment of chronic gastritis, resulting in a 95% effective rate. Journal of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, December 2003.
HEADACHES
Acupuncture is more effective than medication in reducing the severity and frequency of
chronic headaches according to a new meta-analysis done by Duke University Medical Center
researchers. Duke Medicine News and Communications 2009.
People who suffer from chronic migraines may benefit from acupuncture to reduce the severity
and frequency of headaches. Cephalalgia, Volume 28 Issue 9, pp 911-913
HYPERTENSION
Patients with hypertension achieved significant short-term reduction in systolic and diastolic
blood pressure following administration of acupuncture. Circulation, June 2007.
Patients treated with acupuncture had an overall decrease in the level of systolic pressure
during and after treatment. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, March 2003.
INFERTILITY
Women undergoing IVF were 65% more likely to become pregnant when they combined the
procedure with acupuncture. British Medical Journal, February 2008.
Acupuncture is an essential part of successful IVF outcomes, by improving implantation and
live birth rates. Infertility and Sterility, April 2007.
Acupuncture improves pregnancy success rate by 50% in women undergoing in-vitro
fertilization. J Fertility and Sterility, April 2002.
INSOMNIA
Acupuncture yields significant results with total effective rate of 90.4%, improves the quality
of sleep and overcomes complications induced by sleep medications. Journal of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, December 2003.
MEMORY
Acupuncture can significantly improve learning and memory capacity that has been impaired
by hyperglycemia and cerebral ischemia. Neuroscience Letters, Volume 443, Issue 3, October
2008, pp 193-198.
MENSTRUAL PAIN
A recent German study confirms that acupuncture can relieve a woman of menstrual pain.
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 198, Issue 2, pp 166.e1-166.e8,
February 2008.
MENOPAUSE/HOT FLASHES
Acupuncture reduces nighttime hot flashes caused by menopause. Fertility and Sterility,
September 2006, Volume 86, pp 700-710.
POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME
Exercise and electro-acupuncture treatments reduce sympathetic nerve activity in women with
PCOS. Electro-acupuncture treatments led to more regular menstrual cycles, reduced
testosterone levels, and reduced waist circumference. AJP Regulatory Integrative and
Comparative Physiology, 2009
TINNITUS
Research finding in animals suggests that acupuncture, if used to target nerves in the head and
neck, may provide relief for some people plagued by tinnitus. European Journal of
Neuroscience, Volume 27, Issue 1, January 2008
WEIGHT LOSS
Systematic review of studies shows that acupuncture effective for weight loss. International
Journal of Obesity, January 2009.