Acupuncture has been regarded by many with scepticism. Now some new research evidences a scientific basis for its perceived beneficial effects.
Practiced throughout the world for around four thousand years since it was developed in China, the procedure of acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points. During a session that typically lasts for about half an hour, the needles are rotated, electrically stimulated, or sometimes even heated, at regular intervals. Recipients of the treatment have reported relief from pain which lasts beyond the actual treatment itself.
Traditional practitioners of the therapy believe that the treatment works by facilitating the flow of energy through meridians (channels) in the body. Sceptics have long held the view that any benefits are the result of a placebo effect. Now – according to a study carried out in America - it seems that there is a scientific mechanism which accounts for the pain relief people experience.
The new research – published in the journal Nature Neuroscience - involved scientists carrying out acupuncture treatments on mice that had pain in one paw. Needles were inserted near the knee & rotated every five minutes for a period of half an hour. After this period the mice were found to have less pain in their paws. This was monitored by the researchers recording how quickly each mouse pulled its sore paw away from a small bristly brush. The treatment was found to have stimulated the production of a natural anti inflammatory painkiller – adenosine - the effects of which lasted for up to an hour after the treatment had ended. The chemical – which also helps to keep the heart healthy & regulate sleep – becomes active following an injury in order to inhibit nerve signals, thereby aiding pain relief.
The scientists also found that by administering a drug to slow down the removal of the adenosine, they could almost triple the length of time that pain relief lasted.
Dr Maiken Nedergaard, a neuroscientist at the University of Rochester, New York, who was involved in the research said: “Acupuncture has been a mainstay of medical treatment in certain parts of the world for 4,000 years, but because it has not been understood completely, many people have remained sceptical.”
He said: “The view that acupuncture does not have much benefit beyond the placebo effect has really hampered research into the technique,” & added, “Some people think any work in this area is junk research, but I think that’s wrong. I was really surprised at the arrogance of some of my colleagues.”
“In this work, we provide information about one physical mechanism through which acupuncture reduces pain in the body.
“What we found is that adenosine, a natural pain killer, is released during acupuncture and that adenosine may be the primary way acupuncture reduces pain.
“The most important observation is that acupuncture worked almost three times as long if we gave a drug that slows down the removal of adenosine.”
While the research throws some light on pain relief as a result of the treatment, it does not explain other perceived benefits, for example as an aid to fertility.
