Acupuncture

Question 1

National Institutes of Health guidelines on the use of acupuncture

Answer 1

Addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, firbomyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma

Question 2

Identify the endogenous opioid peptides and major NT implicated in acupuncture analgesia

Answer 2

Endogenous opioid families: beta-endorphin, enkephaline (met and leu), dynorphin

Major NTs: serotonin, NE, substance P, GABA, DA, ACTH

Question 3

Illustrate the neurochemical effects of low frequency/high intensity and high frequency/low intensity acupuncture

Answer 3

Low Frequency/High Intensity: spinal cord, midbrain, pituitary/hypothalamus -> release opioid and blocks presynaptic pain transmission. Also releases serotonin, NE. SLOW ONSET LONG DURATION ANALGESIA, cumulative effects. Blocked by nalaxone

High frequency/low intensity: Spinal cord and midbrain -> GABA, ANALGESIA FAST ONSET/SHORT DURATION, non-cumulative effects. Not blocked by nalaxone

Question 4

Contrast the inherent thermoelectrical properties of acupuncture needles

Answer 4

Thermocouple effect of Kelvin-Thomas: temperature gradient produced by the ends of the conductor at different temperatures

Benedick’s effect: Current along a uniform conductor is reinforced by spiraled metal of handle (stores electrons in handle like a capacitor)