Function of Acupuncture Flashcards
What are the 3 main pain theories we talked about and what are they?
1) specific theory: any pain is caused by a specific stimuli
2) gate control theory: there is a specific pain pathway in the body
* this one very important in proving acupuncture because
research shows the acupuncture can block the pain signal in the
spinal cord
3. Pattern Theory: certain stimuli correlates to a specific pattern
What was the results from testing COPD in qual birds and looking at the particle movement in the windpipe?
- drugs/herbs only increased cilia by 5%
- acupuncture increase cilia by 35%
What are the 3 main functions of acupuncture?
1) balance yin/yang
2) strengthen zheng Qi and clear xie Qi
3) promote circulation and channel Qi
What are the 5 factors that can affect the effectiveness of Acupuncture treatments?
1) location (accuracy of needling, point selection)
2) quality and quantity (strong/weak stimulation, frequency, moxa/electro/manual stimulation, thrusting/twisting, # of points, technique (tonify/reduce)
3) circulation of Channel Qi (point selection/needling technique)
4) nervous system (nerve damage decrease acupuncture effectiveness, intact nerve is essential)
5) time (needle retention, stimulation, b/w tx, time of day)
How does acupuncture activate the internal healing system?
1) produce antibodies (help appendicitis)
2) increase WBC (# and effectiveness) *St-36
3) decrease acetylcholine, increase CA (help asthma)
4) increase cortisol levels in blood (help with uterus contraction in labour)
Which 3 centers does Acupuncture analgesia activate?
1) spinal cord
2) mid brain
3) pituitary/hypothalamus
these release neurochemicals (endorphins and monoamines) to block the pain pathway
Explain the pathway of how an acupuncture needle can promotes analgesia:
acu needle–>muscle sensory receptors (II/III)–>SPINAL CORD (releases endorphins)–>MIDBRAIN (release endorphins + release 2 monoamines: serotonin/norepinephrine)–>HYPO/PITUITARY (release ACTH= increased blood cortisol= reduce inflammation + release endorphins to blood/cerebrospinal fluid= promote analgesia)
What is De QI
aching sensation produced by acupuncture needles
In the PAIN ARTICLE: which 2 muscle sensory receptors were talked about and what did they do?
1) II= signal numbness sensation of De QI from needling
2) III= signal fullness, heaviness, mild aching of De Qi
in the PAIN ARTICLE: what 3 endorphins are released by the spinal cord ALT cell (antereolateral tract)?
1) enkephalins
2) B-endorphins
3) dynorhpins
Define deficiency in TCM terms:
not enough Zheng QI
Define Excess in TCM terms:
presence of Xie Qi
What is the etiology of deficiency?
1) constitution
2) diet
3) lifestyle
4) aging
5) chronic illness
What is the treatment principle for deficiency?
use moxa for sinking
tonify for deficient
How can you tonify using acupuncture?
1) technique (angle, stimulation, moxa)
2) point combination *4 main points:
*REN 4/6
UB 43
ST 36
What is the principle of treatment for Excess?
1) reduce
2) bleeding
3) remove stg
How can you sedate with acupuncture?
1) technique (fine needles, strong stimulation, bleeding)
2) point combination
How can you differentiate exterior condition from interior?
- exterior= aversion to cold+ fever
What are the 3 locations that HEAT pathology can occur?
1) internal
2) external
3) local
What are the treatment principles for HEAT?
1) clear heat
2) swift tx method= quick i) insertion/withdrawal
ii) lift, thrust, rotation
Where are the 2 places COLD pathology can occur?
1) interior
2) exterior
What is the principle of treatment for COLD?
1) warm cold
2) retain needle: i)longer (esp.albtera winters)
ii) slow manipulation
3) moxa
What does Harmony method treat?
Shaoyang disorders
What is the treatment principle for HARMONY method?
treat non-excess and non-deficiency syndromes
*if not sure in clinic if diagnosis is excess/deficient use harmony method and see how patient responds
How can you differentiate Biao/Ben?
BIAO (branch) BEN (root)
yang yin
exterior interior
meridian zang-fu organs
symptom cause
XIE QI ZHENG QI
2nd disease 1st diease
What is the treatment principle for Biao/Ben?
1) Biao first = if Biao is urgent
2) Ben first= if Biao is NOT urgent
3) Biao/Ben same time= *best option if possible (the 2 always connected)
How does St-36 improve the immune system?
increased amount and increases function of WBC by 60% for 2-3 hours after needling
How can you prove that acupuncture is not just a placebo effect?
1) works on animals
2) works on children (usually respond better than adults)
