Toward a Unified Understanding of the Bioelectrical Activity Associated with Connective Tissue Regeneration

Electromagnetic Energy Flow and Flux in Connective Tissues Along Lines of Collagen and Flowing Along Molecules of Structured Water

Dr. Gregory T. Lawton

In spite of the imposing title of this paper on electro magnetic energy and its conductivity through connective tissues, it is a well known fact in the various biologically related sciences that electrical activity and electromagnetic fields play a vital role in all biological, cellular, biomechanical, and physiological processes of the human body. Early discoveries in biological medicine clarified the role of the circulatory system and blood flow as the central mechanism for the delivery of nutrition to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body. Subsequent discoveries demonstrated the singular role of nerves and the movement of axoplasm through the nerve as a method by which certain connective tissue structures, specifically ligaments derive nutrition. Recent research now points to yet another system and method by which connective tissue can derive nutrition and energy, and that system follows lines of collagen that are potentiated by layers of structured water molecules. These new and novel discoveries clarify the processes by which connective tissues receive the nutritional building blocks that they utilize to remodel and repair themselves and the electrical activity that stimulates cells, and therefore are foundationally important to all fields of medicine and health care that treat human diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Toward a new biological science:

Research and study regarding the electrical activity of cells and tissues has long been a central component of standard biological sciences and medical research. During the early periods of this research special instrumentation allowed the measurement and recording of electrical current on, along, and within the various kinds of cells that comprise body tissues. While the measurement of electrical currents has been a central focus of biomedical research related to both normal and abnormal cell function, it is only recently that groundbreaking and very novel discoveries have been made.

One of the basic laws of physics requires that any electrical current generates a corresponding magnetic field within the surrounding space. The electrical field that should have accompanied the electrical current of human cells and tissues was either ignored, undiscovered, and/or we lacked the instrumentation and detection devices necessary to measure it. In addition, the health professions related to the human energy field have been and still are populated by fringe, esoteric, and extreme beliefs and practices. The scientific validation of the existence of and purpose for bioelectrical and electromagnetic energy in the human body is not an endorsement of the beliefs or practices of fringe science or health care. However, the discovery of electrical conductivity and electromagnetic fields in connective tissue does add to our knowledge regarding how the body heals and repairs these structures.

Contemporary discoveries and research in human biomechanics, biology, histology, and biophysics is creating a new body of knowledge that strongly points to and supports a unified theory of human physiology. This new body of knowledge has been build upon the progressive discoveries of research science over the last one hundred and fifty years, especially research originating from the mid eighteen hundreds onward. The most exciting advances have resulted from new measurement and imaging technologies that allow increasingly greater penetration of the minute and most intricate mysteries of the body. These technologies include the X Ray MRI, CAT, PET, EKG, EEG and SQUID. Early research in the field simply looked at basic structure (x ray and CAT) or electrical activity in organs (EKG/EEG). New technology now looks at minute and detailed cellular or metabolic activity (PET), or electromagnetic fields (SQUID). In 1963 research was performed that suggested a biomagnetic energy field was projected from the heart, in 1970 a researcher at MIT, David Cohen, confirmed the heart's electromagnetic measurements using a SQUID magnetometer. This technology was improved and further measurements of the magnetic fields around the head that are produced by the electrical activity of the brain were begun.

In the 1920's and 1930's Harold Saxon Burr, a researcher at Yale University School of Medicine put forth the hypothesis that diseases in the body may first appear as alterations in the body's energy field before physical symptoms became apparent. This idea was significantly ahead of its time. Currently there is research being performed in laboratories to map the body's biomagnetic fields and the ways that these fields may be altered by disease. There is a great deal of research yet to be done in this area before the significance of the data will be known, and a technology utilizing this information can be developed and used in health care.

Robert O. Becker has described how brain wave electrical activity is not limited to the brain, but how this electrical activity from the brain actually travels through the perineural system. The perineural system is composed of the connective tissue sheaths that surround the nerves. Dr. Becker has explained how this bioelectrical system plays a vital role in the regulation of repair processes in the body. When we review and consider the role of the brain as a "transmitter" of electrical activity along connective tissue that attaches to and parallels nerves we are analyzing the role of electrical activity and its effects on the cells responsible for connective tissue remodeling, such as the fibroblast, osteoblasts, myoblasts, perivascular cells, and cells that produce or absorb collagen and contribute to the remodeling and repair processes of the musculoskeletal system.

It is not only bioelectrical activity in the brain and along the perineural system that produces electrical activity that affects connective tissues. Muscle tissue also produces electrical activity with every contraction and the perineural system is not the only pathway for the bioelectrical activity that stimulates the repair and remodeling process of cells in the musculoskeletal system. Another system of bioelectrical stimulation has also been discovered. This system is composed of molecules of structured water that are attached to and follow along the lines of collagen that composes fascia and other structural connective tissues. Structured water provides a pathway for the transfer of bioelectrical signals and nutrients. This bioelectrical pathway plays a role similar to that performed by nerves and the transportation of axoplasm.

Structured water is a highly conductive liquid crystalline gel that forms a channel along which bioelectrical energy and nutrients can flow. The discovery and establishment of the fact that water can exist in a structured state that is gel like has been a revolutionary experience for research biologists.

Water is highly reactive and can form hydrogen bonds with up to four to six other molecules. Water exists in three commonly recognized phases, solid, liquid and vapor. But current scientific thinking is recognizing a fourth phase, the structured or interfacial phase. This phase lies somewhere between the solid and liquid phases and it confers upon water the ability to perform some unique tasks. Since this state of water encourages the formation of layers of water molecules existing in the interfacial phase this kind water has gel like characteristics, it can attract other water molecules or it can reject them, it can conduct electrical activity along lines of layers of structured water molecules, and it can act as a vessel for the movement of cellular nutrients.

It is within the discovery of the electrical activity of the perineural connective tissue system and the channeled electrical conductivity of molecular layers of structured water that we have probably found the elusive meridians of acupuncture. They have been found along the longitudinal lines of fascia and collagen, and the pervasive lines and branches of nerves, and not the gross topography suggested by the classical acupuncture meridian charts.

The majority of the medical researchers that are conducting this biomedical and biomechanical research have not done so to find the meridians of acupuncture, nor have they conducted this research for the purpose of discovering the healing mechanisms of manual medicine. They were rather conducting pure research into the mysteries of the cell and tissue, but what they have discovered constitutes a revolution in the evolution of acupuncture and manual medicine.

Simply stated, in addition to the traditional homeosomatic mechanisms of the circulatory, endocrine, and nervous systems, specifically as they relate to musculoskeletal growth and repair processes, in addition to the role of axoplasm in providing bioelectrical energy and nutrients to regenerative cells of connective tissues, we now have discovered yet another system of regenerative cell stimulation and nourishment that exists along lines and bundles of collagen and within the molecular layers of structured water.

The importance of these systems of bioelectrically stimulated healing cannot be overstated. For example, we have already visited and reviewed the critical role that the unimpeded flow of axoplasm through the nerve has on connective tissue regeneration. But that important mechanism is only one of several systems that provide either the electrical stimulus needed by regenerative cells and processes or the basic nutrients needed for cell repair and growth. There is a delicate, pervasive, and ubiquitous interstitial collagen fiber system in the body that like a knitted sweater or a mesh fishing net extends absolutely everywhere in the body, to every structure and to every organ. The perineural system extends to every innervated tissue in the body and therefore provides bioelectrical stimulation to all of the vital reparative cells and processes including mobile skin cells, fibroblasts, myoblasts, osteoblasts, and white blood cells like macrophages. Structured water in adherent molecular layers attaches to protein polymers like collagen and provides a highly conductive low resistance channel along which bioelectrical impulses can travel or through which nutrient substances can move. These are the currently identified major methods by which the body uses bioelectrical energy to stimulate cell and tissue regeneration and repair.

Various kinds of cell pathology are now known to alter both the ability of nerves, the perineural system and the pathways of structured water to perform their regenerative functions. This alternation is classically detected as pathological changes in connective tissue, but there is now a more recent investigation into the alteration of the electromagnetic field of the body and the possible use of this information as a predictive or diagnostic indicator of pathology. However, the significance of changes in the electromagnetic field of the body are not currently very well understood.

A new frontier in health care, separating fact from fiction:

While the discoveries that have been made regarding the molecular and atomic structure and function of connective tissue present exciting possibilities for the future of health care. It is important to note that in science the discovery of what something is does not necessarily readily tell us what it does. These discoveries are in their very beginning stages and at this time there are still more questions than there are answers. There is a lot of excitement surrounding these early discoveries in the alternative health community and many in this community have allowed this excitement to interfere with their reason and have fabricated a number of theories and ideas related to this information.

Members of the "energy medicine" community including those in the Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and TCM acupuncture groups have taken the preliminary research that has been performed and laid claim to it as proof of their novel theories regarding the effectiveness of their own systems of healing. Extreme caution is warranted here. These "energy medicine" communities have taken the early suggestive discoveries related to bioelectrical energy, connective tissue, and structured water, for example, and further claimed that not only are these primary observations fact, but that they can manipulate the bio energy that travels through or along nerves and collagen.

Reiki and Therapeutic Touch practitioners have made claims to be able to manipulate and to control the complex bio electrical energy and magnetic fields of the human body, and further claim that sciences continued discovery of these physiological mechanisms in the body validates all of their assertions. While it will most likely be substantiated that collagen bioelectrical pathways do exist and that the body has evolved a sophisticated method of energy transfer on the molecular and atomic level, this does not mean that the "energy medicine" techniques of Reiki or Therapeutic Touch have a significant role in manipulating this bio electrical activity. Perhaps it will be established that these healing approaches do have an effect on the human bio energy system, although it is most likely a minor effect.

It is in the field and profession of acupuncture that the most extreme claims are being made regarding these bio electrical energy and electro magnetic fields. Acupuncture is based on the theory of chi. Chi is considered to be a form of metaphysical energy that is believed to exist in the body and travels throughout the body along energy pathways called meridians. The most popular form of acupuncture that is practiced stems from the Chinese system of health care called traditional Chinese medicine or TCM. TCM acupuncture is an ancient system of health care that is based on religious dogma related to the early belief that all things possess a "soul". In primitive religions this would result in the woodchopper praying to the tree before cutting it down. (to appease the spirit of the tree) From the western religious perspective this ancient belief system was called animism. TCM theory is largely based upon the religions of Taoism and Buddhism.

For thousands of years eastern and then western physicians and healers have been searching for the mysterious and elusive energy, chi. Since the 1960's western researchers have been engaged in research regarding the physiological and neurological mechanisms of acupuncture. This research has lead to significant substantiation of acupuncture technique as having an effect on:

• Opiate production and release in the body.
• Peripheral nerve stimulation (mechanoreceptors/nociceptors)
• Central nervous system stimulation, mediation, and modulation.
• Immune system stimulation, mediation, and modulation.
• Other humeral effects.
• Sympathethic/Parasympathetic modulation.

The traditionalists (TCM) within the acupuncture community frequently site the scientific findings that result from research as a substantiation of acupuncture theory. This is not true and is in fact harmful to the advancement of acupuncture because it is an erroneous assumption and because this belief tends to distort the findings and interpretation of pure research. The research that is cited in this chapter is not "acupuncture" research, it is scientific research and it has resulted from medical investigation within the fields of biomechanics, neurology, and biology. Presently, acupuncturists have latched on to the new biological research and information and claimed that this research has "discovered" and "validated" the theory of chi and meridians. Has it?

The contemporary art and science of acupuncture has evolved over many centuries and is the result of the work of hundreds of individuals, some singularly noted in Chinese history. Chi and meridian theory has evolved from eight meridians, to twelve main ones, and from a few acupuncture points, to 650 at one time, back to 365 (to correspond to the days in the year), and now to several thousand. It has been said that there is currently not a square centimeter on the body that does not have an acupuncture point lying within it. Acupuncture points have been said to be found primarily adjacent or associated with nerve trunks, plexuses, and branches, arteries and veins, and along, next to or in between connective tissue and fascial planes and bundles. Since every square centimeter of the body is considered to contain an acupuncture point, it would be difficult not to have this occur. Imagine drawing a grid of small squares on the human body, every single square would contain some nerve, vascular, or musculoskeletal structure of note.

Does the new human biology related to bio electrical activity along layers of structured water that adhere to collagen fibers prove the existence of chi and meridians? Yes and no! One of the stumbling blocks for the TCM acupuncturist is that they are looking at the human body determined to find the meridian and the chi that moves along or through it. The research scientist who is most likely either uninterested in or unaware of chi, acupuncture theory, meridians, and points is following an entirely different path and is purely investigating what the body is composed of and how it actually works. Very little high level research has been performed in the field of acupuncture. The research that has been performed is largely simply clinical trials. However, one cannot miss the similarity between contemporary findings related to bio electrical behavior and the ancient concept of channels that conduct energy. It is however, a real big step to then transpose the gross road map that constitutes an acupuncture point and meridian chart into the explanation that the acupuncture chart is an accurate and faithful representation of the flow of bio electrical energy along lines of collagen, nerves, and other anatomical and physiological structures.

A number of acupuncturists are currently attempting to statistically correlate the locations of acupuncture points and meridians with the new cellular biology and physiology. Since there are correlations and overlaps they will most likely conclude that they have at last discovered chi and meridians. However, the opposite is true, if science is able to substantiate current research findings related to the bio electrical activity of connective tissue structures along lines of collagen and layers of structured water, we are looking at an electrical communication system that is in fact far more complex and pervasive within the human body than that ever allowed by acupuncture theory and meridian charts.

What is this research telling us about acupuncture?

For the worker in the health care field pure research makes interesting reading and it may add to our understanding, but what are the practical benefits in terms of direct effects on patient care? What are the practical benefits of the information that has resulted from this research? Acupuncture is a science of health care, it is an ancient one just like the science of medical surgery to which it is related historically. Acupuncture is a medical technique and it should be separated from its metaphysical and religious belief systems just like early surgical techniques performed to drain the humors (bloodletting) or to release evil spirits (trepanning). However, contemporary acupuncture is still largely taught and based on primitive beliefs and religious tenets and dogma. In fact it is almost impossible to train in acupuncture anywhere without being forced or mandated by law to study TCM and the religious tenets that it is based upon.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this new research is what is it freeing us from. Just like the early pilgrims who sailed on small ships to American to embrace freedom, this new knowledge and information allows the acupuncturist to free themselves from the traditions of the past and to formulate a new medical acupuncture that is based on a new functional paradigm.

The new medical acupuncturist can discard the overly complex, confusing, often contradictory, religious and philosophical dogma and tenets of the old acupuncture paradigm. The all too common lengthy and pointless philosophical rants about acupuncture theory can be discarded for scientific knowledge, definitions, and terminology.

Acupuncture as a medical technique can readily be incorporated within the unified, universal and progressively evolving knowledge of medical science. Acupuncture does not work because it affects some separate metaphysical system of mysterious energy called chi, it works because it affects the body like every other form of physical or manual system of medicine. Acupuncture is based on the same physical laws as all other health care, not some separate metaphysical system. Western health care workers will not be required to learn an esoteric, and often fringe based system of healing, their training in acupuncture can be build upon the health science knowledge, concepts, and terminology that they have already learned.

What happens when we insert an acupuncture needle into the human body? Well according to the TCM acupuncturist we are manipulating chi. But what really happens? Consider any location on the body, if you insert a needle through the skin and into the superficial and then progressively deeper layers of tissue what are you affecting? One of the first systems to respond to acupuncture is the nervous system. If the needling technique is painful, we are stimulating nociceptors, if the needle technique is more skillful you are stimulating mechanoreceptors. The needle will also cause cell damage and this will result in a localized inflammatory effect, with the normal signs of inflammation and the well documented chemical cascade of events that follows inflammation. White blood cells will be mobilized to the area and throughout the body to fight infection and to assist with the tissue repair process. Nervous signals that arrive at the brain will result in counter signals to dampen pain, and the brain will mediate the release of natural pain killers, opiates. Signals will travel along lines of collagen and within layers of structured water that will stimulate the growth and repair processes in "stem cells" like fibroblasts. This is the new science and reality of acupuncture.

A further question that should be considered pertains to the description given above, "signals travel along lines of collagen and within layers of structured water", how might this occur? The mechanisms by which bio electric information is transmitted along these bio communication lines of collage is not yet completely understood, however, it is known that electrical activity is initiated by movement. The movement of muscles, the stretching of connective tissues, and the pressure exerted upon bone tissue all creates bio electrical activity. This bio electrical energy is then transmitted throughout and along the musculoskeletal system and results in the stimulation of the cells like osteoblasts in bone, and fibroblasts in other connective tissues. So how does a needle stimulate bio electrical activity? A needle apparently stimulates this bio electrical activity by trapping and moving collagen much like a fork in a spaghetti bowl. Please note the reference to "a needle" and not just the term "acupuncture needle", that is because any needle will create this effect in tissue.

Historical records of several cultures indicate that early man, in numerous early indigenous cultures utilized bone and stone implements to practice rudimentary surgery that involved surgical puncture or scraping around areas of injury or pain. Cultures that included this surgical practice included the Chinese, Eskimo, Greeks, East Indians, and in and around the cradle of civilization, the area of the Nile in Africa. It is of course within the Chinese culture that this surgical method reached its highest expression and became a highly sophisticated systematic and documented medical practice.

Early Chinese acupuncture texts include general references to "fat, greasy membranes, fascia, and systems of connecting membranes". The early Chinese did conduct limited kinds of medical surgery, they were witness to injuries that exposed anatomical areas of the body, they had to treat the injuries of soldiers wounded on the battle field, and they routinely performed the slaughter and butchering of animals. It is evident from analysis and statistical evaluation that some acupuncture meridians run along, or at least reasonably close to some longitudinal fascia structures. Other meridians are adjacent to or parallel nerve trunks and branches, and others are found along major arteries or veins. This information provides us with several classifications of meridians simply based on their location. One definition for the Chinese character for acupuncture is "hole". Many of the acupuncture point locations are found in areas where there is a cleft, separation, or pocket in that anatomical area. A standard procedure for acupuncture point location is to locate a well known anatomical location, often based on the identification of a bony prominence, and then to locate an area within a few millimeters of that location that yields to light pressure.

There have been several limited studies that have attempted to statistically analyze and correlate acupuncture meridians and acupuncture points based on physical anatomy, connective tissue, nervous, and circulatory anatomical structures. As has already been stated there are similarities and there does exist some overlap. A simple comparison of meridian charts to cadavers prepared to expose these anatomical components, especially fascial bands, provides some obvious indication of the source of early acupuncturist's deductions regarding connective tissue and meridians. Other studies have been performed that have attempted to analyze the histological composition of acupuncture point locations. Neurovascular bundles, neuromuscular attachments, and various types of sensory nerve endings, nociceptors and mechanoreceptors have been found in these locations, but this in not a significant finding because these components of the peripheral nervous system are ubiquitous. Other attempts have been made using electrical equipment that measures skin conductance. Many investigators that have used this method of measurement have enthusiastically reported success in finding distinct differences in the electrical conductance of the skin overlying acupuncture points. However, skin conductance studies are close to useless and are known to be highly unreliable because of artifacts that result from the testing process. Skin conductive technique is highly subjective and is affected by pressure, moisture, lubrication, and variations in skin texture and age.

Although widely reported by acupuncturists and the acupuncture media, to date, there is no reliable evidence supporting the theory that acupuncture points are any different than any other areas of the body. However, considering the centuries of empirical observation and experience that has gone into the development of acupuncture it is likely that at least some acupuncture point locations will be found to lie directly over areas of neurological and physiological importance.

The New Real American Medical Acupuncture

Much of what is studied and practiced by western health care workers and is called medical acupuncture is simply a condensed version of TCM acupuncture. Very few medical acupuncturists, whether practitioners, physicians, or researchers, have really been capable of divorcing themselves from TCM philosophy or the Taoist based theories, tenets and dogma that permeates TCM acupuncture. TCM acupuncture its texts books, articles written about it, and the rhetoric and editorials about it, and due in large part to its Taoist foundation and history, has not been able to separate itself from its early religious influences as have other scientific systems of health care like psychology or medicine. Frequently so called scientific papers and debates about acupuncture take on a cult like attitude and there seems to be no limit to the fanciful claims that contemporary leaders in the acupuncture field are willing to go to.

New medical research and research that has been progressively accumulating over the last several decades provides a strong foundation and framework for formulating patient therapy techniques and medical acupuncture clinical protocols. This data and its application within clinical environments constitutes a new medical acupuncture, a system of health care that is distinct and separate from TCM acupuncture.

In previous chapters we have discussed the latest scientific findings related to medical research and that researches significance to the field of medical acupuncture. That research has included:

1. Acupuncture needling stimulates mechanoreceptors, and nociceptors.
2. Acupuncture needling facilitates an electrical discharge from mechanoreceptors and nociceptors.  This bio electrical discharge is the "energy" of acupuncture, not chi.
3. Acupuncture needling has both segmental and non segmental effects on the nervous system.
4. Acupuncture can play a role in the pain inhibitory mechanism, understood through the gate theory (Melzack and Wall) and the later work of Pomeranz.
5. Acupuncture needling stimulates immune system and cellular responses.
6. Acupuncture needling stimulates neurohumoral responses including the endorphin response. These neurohumoral responses affect the body globally via the hormones of the hypothalamus and the anterior and posterior pituitary glands.
7. Acupuncture needling initiates a localized inflammatory response with its known cascade of inflammatory/anti inflammatory reactions.
8. Acupuncture stimulation results in cortical responses.
9. Acupuncture stimulation induces survival related mechanisms related to the amygdale and other limbic structures of the brain.
10. Acupuncture stimulation through the CNS induces homeosomatic mechanisms of the sympathetic nervous system and integral neurohumoral functions.

We can now add to this list of the medical and physiological effects of medical acupuncture that acupuncture technique probably stimulates bio electrical activity along the layers of water molecules that compose structured water, and that adhere to collagen in the body, and that this bio electrical activity stimulates the activities of fibroblasts, myoblasts, and osteoblasts.

The above outline of eleven categories of effects that are stimulated or mediated by acupuncture provide an imposing list of therapeutic uses for acupuncture as a treatment modality. These effects allow the procedure of acupuncture to join other therapeutic modalities such as hydrotherapy, actinotherapy, and mechanotherapy. Should we simply call acupuncture, acutherapy and add it to the rest of the physiotherapeutic modalities?

Let's visit the therapeutic applications of acupuncture as they relate to these eleven aspects of acupunctures physiotherapeutic effects:
Acupuncture needling stimulates mechanoreceptors, and nociceptors.

All forms of manual medicine affect the biological sensors in the skin and connective tissue known as mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. The insertion of a needle into the skin and the manipulation of that needle stimulates these biological sensors. The stimulation of the nociceptors to a small degree, such as that seen in the minor penetration of the dermis and pain receptor activation, results in attempts by the CNS to dampen pain with counter signals and the release of substances such as beta endorphins. The stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the skin and underlying connective tissues has a dampening effect on the pain receptors and it reduces motor neuron activity resulting in muscle tissue relaxation.

Note:  The Effects of acupuncture assist in the reduction of pain and relaxation of muscle tissue.

• Acupuncture needling facilitates an electrical discharge from mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. This bio electrical discharge is one of the "energies" of acupuncture.

Acupuncture shares similar effects to those facilitated by massage therapy, joint manipulation, and other physiotherapeutic modalities. When the stimulus of acupuncture is applied to a region of the body, in the form of a needle puncture, this event is communicated via biological sensors to the CNS and it is within the CNS that certain neurological and humoral responses are activated or mediated.

Note:  Acupuncture needling provokes electrical energy that stimulates the basic cells of tissue growth and repair.

• Acupuncture needling has both segmental and non segmental effects on the nervous system.

Some of acupunctures effects remain within the region of nerve innervation (dermatones) and other effects travel to other areas of the neurological system, whether peripheral or to higher levels of the CNS. This means that acupuncture has localized pain mediating effects and more global effects within the neurological system.

Note:  The neuro physiological effects of acupuncture can be used to stimulate local effects in tissue or to produce effects like muscle relaxation and general sedation.

• Acupuncture can play a role in the pain inhibitory mechanism, understood through the gate theory (Melzack and Wall) and the later work of Pomeranz.

The effect of needling stimulation can induce multiple effects on the control of pain. As has already been discussed the activation of nociceptors and mechanoreceptors dampens or reduces pain via a variety of neural and humoral means.

Note:  The stimulation of mechanoreceptors by needling can block pain sensation.

• Acupuncture needling stimulates immune system and cellular responses.

The introduction of the needle into tissue will initiate the chemical cascade of activities that are classically associated with the anti inflammatory and initial tissue healing responses related to white blood cells and macrophage activity. Essentially the body does not recognize needle stimulus as different from any other form of trauma, say for example a sliver or small cut. The introduction of micro trauma to a localized area of tissue recreates a "counter irritation" response within the injured tissue.

Note:  Acupuncture needling can increase the number and activity of white blood cells in the body, thereby increasing immune function.

• Acupuncture needling stimulates neurohumoral responses including the endorphin response. These neurohumoral responses affect the body globally via the hormones of the hypothalamus and the anterior and posterior pituitary glands.

The hypothalamus is the master endocrine center of the body and it projects widely throughout the brain and has many pathways that travel to parts of the CNS including the brainstem, spinal cord, pituitary glands, thalamus, and amygdala. Several studies regarding acupuncture and its effects on the human body have demonstrated that acupuncture does effect this important endocrine gland. The hypothalamus is also one of the most important parts of the CNS and it is an essential element in the regulation of body homeostasis. The hypothalamus has both endocrine and autonomic nervous system functions. The hypothalamus regulates our responses to external and internal stimuli and it controls our behaviors related to sleep, hunger, and sex.

Note:  Acupuncture needling can produce broad biochemical effects throughout the body and can assist in the treatment of endocrine or neurological disorders.

• Acupuncture needling initiates a localized inflammatory response with its known cascade of inflammatory/anti inflammatory reactions.

The beneficial effects of controlled amounts of "irritation" to body tissues has been recognized and utilized for centuries by traditional healers. This use of controlled irritation is called the counter irritation theory. The basic idea behind this theory is that a small amount of controlled irritation will initiate neuro hormonal, neuro physiological, and anti inflammatory responses that will encourage corrective and restorative biochemical and neurochemical reactions in tissue.

Note:  The minor and localized irritation of tissues that results from acupuncture needles can mobilize the body to heal an abnormal body area or region that has experienced a chronic disorder.

• Acupuncture stimulation results in cortical responses, and further relay from the cortex to other area's of the brain. The cortex is thought to be a vital part of a neural circuit that receives impulses and redirects them through the multimodal association cortex, the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the hypothalamus.

Note:  Acupuncture stimulation effects higher brain centers, pain control, and the somatosensory system of the body.

• Acupuncture stimulation induces survival related mechanisms related to the amygdala and other limbic structures of the brain.

Acupuncture stimulation increases the "awareness" of area's of the brain to the disease state or abnormal conditions in the body. Acupuncture stimulation increases survival related information that is processed by the brain.

Note:  Acupuncture stimulation mediates endocrine, autonomic and other functions essential for body homeostasis.

• Acupuncture stimulation through the CNS induces homeosomatic mechanisms of the sympathetic nervous system and integral neurohumoral functions.

• Acupuncture stimulation, primarily because of its effect on the hypothalamus, integrates the body's responses to disease and abnormal conditions.

Note:  Acupuncture stimulation contributes to the function of an integrated healing response system that is controlled by the hypothalamus.

• A Realistic Assessment and Ethical Application of Acupuncture

TCM acupuncturists frequently make exaggerated claims regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments and the condition or disorders for which acupuncture may be effective in treating. These exaggerated or fraudulent claims are based on several common misconceptions, one being that acupuncture is well researched and studied when in fact there are very few specific studies regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in effectively treating many diseases or disorders. Another source of error regarding acupunctures universal claims of effectiveness is based on the mystical foundations of TCM which creates a belief system based on ignorance and superstition and the idea in the minds of TCM practitioners that acupuncture can effectively treat every disease or disorder.

Patients who receive acupuncture treatment for various medical conditions generally fall into these categories:

1. Strong Reactors
2. Normal Reactors
3. Non Responders

According to surveys conducted on acupuncture patients as many as thirty percent of those who receive acupuncture treatment do not respond to it.

It is clear from this chapter that medical acupuncture technicians need to be appropriately cautious regarding the claims that they make for acupuncture, and very clear regarding the currently understood physiological mechanisms of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a valuable therapeutic modality that can be used singularly or in combination with other forms of manual medicine or chemo therapeutic treatment approaches. Continued research and the in depth study of acupuncture increases our knowledge of this medical science and our ability to ethically and effective assist our patients.