Abstract
This chapter begins by briefly placing modem acupuncture in an historical context. This leads, in the following section, to a discussion of some technical difficulties and limitations of experimental paradigms for the study of the clinical efficacy of acupuncture. Then, in order to provide a background for understanding the biological underpinnings of the clinical effects of acupuncture, it undertakes a brief review of selected aspects of the literature concerned with the evaluation of the clinical efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment modality for various medical ailments. The discussion of biological mechanisms involved in acupuncture discusses on the analgesic effects of acupuncture, because little is known about the biological foundation of other acupuncture effects. The analysis of acupuncture analgesia examines the data from both man and other animals. The data from man is restricted primarily to evidence indicating a role for endogenous opioids, and these data are assessed in detail. There is also extensive evidence for a role of endogenous opioids in animal models of acupuncture analgesia. These data are discussed as well as data indicating a role for additional neural mechanisms.
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