The role of mechanoreceptors in acupuncture

Abstract

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to heal the body; it is essential to comprehend the mechanism of acupuncture within the modern medical framework. By far much research provided a modern scientific understanding of how acupuncture works, most of them indicated that nervous system is involved. However, few studies have been conducted on how acupuncture trigger the nervous system. When the thin needle inserts the acupoint, the mechanical stress generated by acupuncture is the key factor of acupuncture effect. The first peripheral receptors activated in this process are mechanoreceptors, which are sensitive to mechanical forces. The purpose of this review is to explore the connection between the mechanoreceptors located in the skin and subcutaneous tissues and the acupuncture therapy. It also attempts to clue the possible roles of mechanoreceptors in the skin surface and subcutaneous tissue during the acupuncture manipulation and electroacupuncture.