PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS AND EFFICACY OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN THERAPY

Abstract

The traditional Chinese theory of acupuncture was based upon the idea of balances between two opposing forces called Yin and Yan and among five elements. These balances, once broken were thought to lead to blocking the flow of energy in the body, thus inducing diseases of organs.The pathway of th e energy flow is called a meridian. (6 on each extremity to and from the trunk and one each on frontal and dorsal middle-line, total, 14) They were thought to run within the body and occasionally came close to the surface. Such points were considered as sites for acupuncture, that is, acupuncture points where the flow of life energy could be manipulated by needling. (Theyare numbered about 360, totally 670 on the body. )Acupuncture w as thought to adjust the unbalances in the flow of life energy on which healthy physiological functions of the body depended. Thus, acupuncture has been practised for the sake of enhancing general health.In Western medicine, this principle c a n be recognized in the idea of viscerocutaneous reflex on referred pain. By means of the deep somatic and autonomic nerves which are connected through the spinal cord and its segmented innervation to the skin sites, cutaneous stimulation by needling can be transmitted to trigger the restoration of balances. This is usually referred to as the homeostatic mechanism of the body.There exists a natural mechanism that can correct the imbalance and lead to the self-stabilizing of the nervous system throughout the body. Acupuncture works similarly and may be of use in helping to improve such imbalances as peptic ulcer conditions, pseudomyopia, some allergic conditions such as asthma, and common functional disordersabc Mechanism of Referred Visceraland Somatic Pain (by Ruch)like headache, frozen shoulder and lumbago. Acupuncture is a form of non-specific stimulation therapy.