Acupuncture

Bian Stone Needles (dating to New Stone Age 4,000 to 10,000 years ago)
1. First needles used as healing instruments
2. Over time stone needles replaced by bamboo, animal bone slivers, copper and other metals
Current Needles
1. Rounded-tips with gauge of a human hair
2. Sterile, single-use surgical steel needles
3. Inserted either free-hand or with plastic guide tube
4. Designed to push tissue to the side as opposed to standard needles which cut the skin
Basis
1. Health is maintained by remaining in balanced state
2. Qi energy flows through the body along Meridians and this is disturbed by illness
3. Acupuncture is postulated to Restore normal energy flow (Qi)
4. Body is traversed by 12 main and 8 extra Meridians
5. Meridians contain >400 Acupuncture points in which the Qi flows closer to the surface
  1. Meridians are analogous to highways
  2. Acupuncture points are analogous to on and off ramps to the highways (Meridians)
6. Microsystems exist that map to broad regions (similar to homonculous)
  1. Auricular
  2. Scalp
  3. Palm
  4. Alimi (2002) Acupuncture [PubMed]
Modern modifications
1. Percutaneous nerve stimulation (electroacupuncture)

Gate Control Theory of pain
1. Spinal cord transmits pain signals to the brain through high-traffic gates
2. Acupuncture generates faster signals that block slower pain signals from reaching the brain
Electrical Theory
1. Body generates very low level electrical discharges (these can be detected by monitoring)
2. Cell maturation and function is affected by electrical fields
3. Acupuncture points are concentrated in areas of low electrical resistance
4. Stimulating Acupuncture points alters chemical Neurotransmitters
  1. Functional MRI demonstrates release of endogenous Opioids, Serotonin, Norepinephrine
  2. Released mediators affect Nociceptors, inflammatory Cytokines and pain Perception
Neurohormonal theory
1. Acupuncture stimulates natural endorphins from the brain and results in Analgesic effect

Acupuncture practitioners have variable training and techniques making effects more difficult to study
Pain appears to be better managed with more needles used and more treatment sessions attended
1. MacPherson (2013) PLos One 8(12):e77438 +PMID:24146995 [PubMed]

Infection
1. Associated with non-sterile needle use
2. In U.S., practitioners should use sterile, single-use needles
Organ puncture (esp. lung, Bladder)
Allergic Reactions to needle
1. Associated with use of needle materials other than surgical steel