Acupuncture does work for pain if twisted correctly
- New study found treatment elevates nitric oxide, leading to pain relief
- This only occurs when needles are slowly twisted with gently force or are heated
- It does not work using rapid, forceful actions for longer periods, say researchers
- Clinical trials showing acupuncture is ineffective use wrong methods, they argue
Claudia Tanner For Mailonline
9
View
comments
Despite being used for centuries, experts have not fully understood why acupuncture is reported to reduce pain.
Now researchers say they have discovered how it targets pain and why clinical trials have produced mixed results on its effectiveness.
The new study found the ancient Chinese medicine causes elevated levels of nitric oxide in the skin when inserted at ‘acupoints’, which releases painkilling chemicals.
The team, from LA BioMed, say these effects are only produced when the needles are slowly twisted with gently force or heated.
They believe acupuncture is effective and past research that has found no benefits has most likely not involved the use of proper acupuncture methods.
Acupuncture is only when needles are slowly twisted with gently force or are heated (file)
Acupuncture is often used to relieve various kinds of pain, from low back pain to osteoarthritis and migraines.
Tradition says it works by unblocking the flow of ‘qi’ along invisible energy channels called meridians – but the findings suggest a less mystical explanation for acupuncture’s painkilling claims.
-
Now you can watch your IVF embryo grow in real time with an…
Toddlers who are breastfed have a higher number of fillings…
A supermarket shopping trolley has 361 times MORE bacteria…
Could party drug be the key to tackling addiction? Student…
How the research was carried out
For the latest study, the LA BioMed researchers tested acupuncture on 25 men and women, aged 18-60 years.
They first employed the’ reinforcement’ method, where needles are slowly twisted or rotated with gentle force or by heat.
They were twisted slowly for two minutes, followed by gentle manipulation for two minutes every five minutes for a total of 20 minutes. They also applied electrical heat for 20 minutes.
This method resulted in elevated levels of nitric oxide at the acupoints.
However, when they used the ‘reducing’ technique, which involves rapid and forceful actions for a longer period, they found reduced nitric oxide levels.
‘Reinforcement results in local feeling of warmness, but reduction causes a local feeling of coldness,’ said study author Dr Sheng-Xing Ma.
Previous research
In 2010, researchers from the University of Rochester medical centre in New York state said their findings proved the benefit of acupuncture is beyond the placebo effect.
Their tests on mice found that it the treatment was effective for up to an hour after the therapy was over.
They found that acupuncture had no effect if the needles were not rotated.
This brought them to the conclusion that that the twisting of needles caused tissue damage that stimulated cells to produce adenosine, an anti-inflammatory chemical.
A recent study went as far as to suggest acupuncture could be a safe alternative to pain-relieving drugs for some patients arriving at accident and emergency.
Pain is one of the most common reasons people come to emergency units.
The trial by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) – one of the largest assessments of acupuncture – found that for some patients acupuncture is effective alternative to pain-relieving drugs for some patients
COULD ACUPUNCTURE CURE INCONTINENCE?
Acupuncture may be the cure for embarrassing urinary incontinence, a condition that plagues the lives of millions.
Recent research discovered it reduces leakage when combined with electrical currents.
Scientists at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing used electroacupuncture on volunteers over a period of six weeks.
Each participant was given 18 sessions over the time frame, while others received sham treatment with dummy needles.
They found women who received electroacupuncture had a greater decrease in urine leakage after treatment, and after six months.
The findings spark hope for many female sufferers who are afraid to leave their house.
Childbirth is a common cause of stress incontinence, while obesity can exacerbate the problem which can be triggered by sneezing, coughing and exercising.
Share or comment on this article
-
Seal-mates! Cat who lost both his ears after suffering… -
Who’s that dachshund fellow? Confused dog chases himself… -
UN admits 7 out of ten migrants crossing the… -
Sweden is home to 2,000 Islamist extremists – TEN TIMES… -
Driver defends taking up FOUR spaces because he doesn’t… -
So near and yet so far: Woman attempts to cross heavily… -
Qatar becomes the latest country to ban Wonder Woman… -
Italian graduate, 26, whose body was found on 23rd floor… -
Sports science graduate accidentally films a cyclist… -
Dramatic moment Russian nuclear missile malfunctions and… -
Body is found in shallow grave on a beach on Thai island… -
Dramatic moment a man is winched by helicopter from the… -
Pilots face new threat to the skies – KITES: Razor sharp… -
Is this Britain’s cheapest breakfast? The £1 belly-buster… -
THAT’S what we call efficiency! Amazing video shows 200… -
Kim Jong-un watches troops destroy a replica South Korean… -
Producer, 57, who helped market George Clooney’s Three… -
Homeland Security reveals Etihad Airways flights out of…
Comments 9
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.