When most people think about acupuncture, they are familiar with its use for pain control, but acupuncture has a proven track record of treating and addressing a variety of endocrine, circulatory and systemic conditions.

The 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus of Acupuncture reported that "studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses, mediated mainly by sensory neurons to many structures within the central nervous system. This can lead to activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain as well as in the periphery." (1)

The NIH Consensus also suggested that acupuncture "may activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally have been documented. There is also evidence of alterations in immune functions produced by acupuncture." (2)

1 - Neurotransmitter Theory - Acupuncture affects higher brain areas, stimulating the secretion of betaendorphins and enkephalins in the brain and spinal cord. The release of neurotransmitters influences the immune system and the antinociceptive system. (3,4,5)

2 - Autonomic Nervous System Theory - Acupuncture stimulates the release of norepinephrine, acetylcholine and several types of opioids, affecting changes in their turnover rate, normalizing the autonomic nervous system and reducing pain. (6,7)

3 - Gate Control Theory - Acupuncture activates non-nocioceptive receptors that inhibit the transmission of nocioceptive signals in the dorsal horn, "gating out" painful stimuli. (8).

4 - Vascular-Interstitial Theory - Acupuncture manipulates the electrical system of the body by creating or enhancing closed-circuit transport in tissues. This facilitates healing by allowing the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissues. (9)

5 - Blood Chemistry Theory - Acupuncture affects the blood concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids, suggesting that acupuncture can both raise and diminish peripheral blood components, thereby regulating the body toward homeostasis. (10)

Acupuncture & Fertility - A study published in the Journal of Fertility & Sterility, found acupuncture improves pregnancy success rates by 50% in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization.

Paulus, W., et. al., Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. J Fertility and Sterility, 2002 April; 77(4):721-4.

Acupuncture & Morning Sickness - Acupuncture administered to pregnant women before opioid premedication significantly reduced postoperative sickness up to 6-8 hours, and acupressure applied to specific acupoints reduced morning sickness. In the 2002 issue of the Journal of Birth, a study found that acupuncture is an effective treatment option for women experiencing nausea and other pregnancy-related discomfort-without adverse side effects.

Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research, 1990;15(3-4):211-5.

Acupuncture & Depression - All subjects receiving acupuncture for major depression significantly improved to a greater extent than those not receiving treatment. Another study suggests that electro-acupuncture can produce the same therapeutic results as tetracyclic drugs, but with fewer side effects and better symptomatic improvement.

Acupuncture Treatment for Major Depression, The Tenth Annual Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, 2003. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2004, Sep.; 24(3)172-6.

All italicized information is taken from the Modern Research and Acupuncture pamphlet from Acupuncture Media Works, LLC, 2005.

(1,2)National Institutes of Health (NIH) - National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Program & Abstracts (Bethesda, MD, November 3-5, 1997). Office of Alternative Medicine and Office of Medical Applications of Research, Bethesda.

(3)Neuro-acpuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed, 2001, Cho, Z.H., et. al., page 128.

(4)Acupuncture - A scientific appraisal, Ernst, E., White, A., 1999, page 74.

(5)Acupuncture Energetics - A clinical approach for Physicians, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, page 41-42.

(6)Anatomy of Neuro-Anatomical Acupuncture, Volume 1, Wong, Dr. J., page 34.

(7)Han, J.S. "Acupncture Activates Endogenous Systems of Analgesia." National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Program & Abstracts (Bethesda, MD, November 3-5, 1997). Office of Alternative Medicine and Office of Medical Applications of Research. Bethesda.

(8)Neuro-acupuncture, Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed, Cho, Z.H., et. al., page 116.

(9)Acupuncture Energetics - A Clinical Approach for Physicians, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, page 41.

(10)Acupuncture Energetics - A Clinical Approach for Physicians, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, page 41.