Introduction of Acupuncture Flashcards
History of acupuncture
Oldest evidence of acupuncture practice is from the Neolithic period in China, approximately 8000 years ago
-Stone needles unearthed in inner Mongolia
More sophisticated and varied instruments dating from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BCE)
First complete description of veterinary acupuncture included in Si Mu An Ji Ji (simus collection of equine medicine) written by Li Shi during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 CE)
History of acupuncture
The veterinary acupuncture text copied into Si Mu An Ji Ji was written by.. Bo Le (Sun Yang) prior to 300 CE
Includes the loci and indication of 77 acupoints in horses.
Western interest in acupuncture increased dramatically after…
President Nixons visit to china during the 1970s
Acupuncture for companion animals is a relatively recent development
Both traditional and evidence based approaches are taught in the US.
Current practice of acupuncture..
In most states and provinces, vet acupuncture is restricted to licensed vets or must be performed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian..
Three main programs in US, Colorado, IVAS, and Chi institute.
NIH consensus statement on acupuncture..
Promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult post op and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post op dental pain.
Adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative included in a comprehensive management plan. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas..
Guiding principles of acupuncture..
Foundational skills
Evidence based analysis
Life long learning techniques.
Arguments against acupuncture..
Lack of evidence for effectiveness..
May be real or perceived
25 to 75% of conventional tx in human medicine have solid evidence supporting their use
Potential placebo effect (shown by the owner) animals do not demonstrate.
Poor understanding of the mechanisms by which acupuncture works.
What is an acupoint?
Shu Xue = communicating holes
Superficial points under the skin with higher densities of free nerve endings, blood, lymphatic vessels and mast cells.
Lower electrical resistance and higher electrical conductivity at these points.
Four anatomic acupoint types?
Type 1: motor point
Type 2: dorsal & ventral midline
Type 3: superficial nerves and nerve plexus
Type 4: muscle- tendon junctions
Type 1 motor point
67% of all acupoints
Located at the point where a nerve enters the muscle.
Effect: maximal contraction with minimal intensity of stimulation.
Type II acupoint
Dorsal and ventral midline.
Superficial nerves in the sagittal plane.
Type III acupoint
superficial nerves and nerve plexus
PC-6 over the median nerve, GB-34, over the common peroneal nerve
Type IV acupoint
Muscle tendon junctions
-BL-57 at the tendon of the gastrocnemius m.
Acupuncture MOA
Gate theory
Melzack and Wall
Acupuncture activates specific receptors that block transmission of painful stimuli
-Heavily myelinated A-beta fibers quickly conduct signals to the SPC before signals from slower C fibers can arrive.
-Results in pre-synaptic inhibition of information carried by the C fibers (pain)
Local response to needling or stimulation of an acupoint
Acupuncture
Tissue microtrauma from a needle…
Tissue microtrauma > mast cell degranulation > release of histamine > heparin > proteases and bradykinin > increased lymph and blood flow to an area. Increased local immune responsiveness. Relaxation of muscles and fascia.
Acupucture stimulation results in..
release of neuroactive molecules which modulate pain response, including B-endorphin, dynophin and encephalin.
- Increase in endogenous opioids in the CSF and serum
- Increase in B-endorphins
- Electroacupuncture stimulates release of opioids (lower frequency) and serotonin (higher frequency).
Drugs or treatments that alter or block the response to acupuncture..
Naloxone: blocks or reverses opioids
Dexamethasone- decreases B- endorphin levels
Procaine/LA: block signal transmission
Adrenalectomy: increases B-endorphin levels, increases AP analgesia**
Hypophysectomy: completely eliminates AP analgesia
What is a positive treatment that increases AP analgesia and increases B-endorphin levels?
ADRENALECTOMY
Acupuncture
These processes combine to create the bodies response to acupuncture stimulation.
Some recent publications demonstrate additional effects, but the mechanism is still unclear.
Scientific resources are available.
Acupuncture stands for..
Acus (needle) pungare (to pierce)
Traditional definition of acupuncture:
manipulation of the body energy through the regulation of Qi
How does disease result according to acupuncture?
Disturbance or imbalance in the flow of Qi
The effects of acupuncture result from a combination of..
The AP point selected
The method of stimulation
Duration of stimulation
The AP point selected..
12 regular channels
8 extraordinary channels
Classical points
Methods of stimulation..
Dry needle technique Aquapuncture Electroacupuncture Hemoacupuncture Moxibustion Pneumoacupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the four branches of TCVM:
Acupuncture Herbal medicine Food therapy Tui-na (medical manipulation) TCM has one additional branch: Tai chi
TCVM Basics
Yin and Yang
Yin: female, dim, dark, night, cooling, interior, descent, stillness, rest, posterior, tail
Yang: male, bright, light, day, warming, exterior, ascent, movement, activity, anterior, head.
*Its all relative, it depends. There is no Yin that does not have Yang. No yang without Yin.
Properties of a given situation can depend upon the alternative.