Effect of Acupuncture for Gastrointestinal Activity Differs Depending on the Pathophysiological Condition

Abstract

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that stimulates specific acupuncture points on the human body. The number of users of acupuncture worldwide has steadily increased over the last 40 years.1 Acupuncture is thought to function in a therapeutic manner through homeostatic mechanisms, according to traditional literature. Thus, opposing symptoms such as hypertension and hypotension can be treated through acupuncture administered at the same points. For example, acupuncture at Bahui (GV20) has been shown to be effective in treating both hypertension and hypotension.2 In addition, acupuncture elicits a more effective response when it is applied to a pathological condition rather than during normal physiological status. Acupuncture at LI4 and PC6 reduces heart rate variability in a fatigued state, but it has no effect in normal state volunteers.3 Herein we present additional clinical data supporting the idea that the effect of acupuncture is dependent on the participant's pathophysiological conditions. Two serial clinical …