Abstract
Following peripheral nerve injury, the sympathetic nervous system responds to noxious inputs that induce or exacerbate pain. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sympathetic sprouting after peripheral nerve injury may induce abnormal firing of neurons. Moreover, the areas of the brain that respond to nociceptive stimuli overlap with those areas activated by the sympathetic nervous system. Acupuncture is a widely used alternative therapy for neuropathic pain. It has been shown to have beneficial effects on the regulation of function in the autonomic nervous system function. Based on previous studies, there are several possibilities for the regulation of sympathetic nerves using by acupuncture to relieve neuropathic pain. Acupuncture may act on the brain areas of pain and the sympathetic nervous system, decrease sympathetic nerve activity during neuropathic pain, attenuate sympathetic sprouting, and reduce the abnormal firing of neurons. Further studies are required to confirm these hypotheses. This review will help to better understand the potential mechanisms of acupuncture in neuropathic pain.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
