Acupuncture effects on the body's defence systems and conditions responsive to AP
EFFECTS OF AP ON TISSUE DAMAGE CAUSED BY X-RAYS
Rats exposed to X-rays developed anaemia and leucopenia. Needling at LI04, GB39 and SP06 caused the red cell count, haemoglobin level and while cell count to recover faster than in control rats which received the same dose of X-ray. AP has been used clinically in humans to assist recovery from nuclear exposure. Apart from its effects in haematology, nuclear exposure also damages the immune response in humans and animals. The immunostimulant effects of AP may be helpful to patients suffering from the effects of nuclear radiation, such as that used in cancer therapy.
AP IN THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIES
AP in human clinical allergies: AP is used to treat many human allergies, including allergies caused by inhalation, oral intake and skin contact. These conditions include asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, diarrhoea, contact allergies, allergic conjunctivitis etc.
The most important points for treatment in asthma include FeiShu (BL13) and GV14 but other points are sometimes added, including HsinShu (BL15), KeShu (BL17), TingChuan (Asthma point) and HaiLao (a new point). In hay fever and allergic rhinitis, the main points are LI04 and YingHsiang (LI20) but other points, such as LI11 and Yin Tang (Z 03, between the eyebrows) are also used.
In treating human allergies, the selection of the points is based mainly on the location of the symptom or lesions. For instance, in asthma, the main points are chosen for their action on the lung. In rhinitis the points are chosen for their action on the nose and upper respiratory tract. Thus, in treating a food allergy in which the main symptom was nausea and vomiting, the main points would be aimed at the stomach (ChungWan (CV12); ST36, PC06). If the main symptom was biliousness and dizziness with headache, the main points would be aimed at the liver and gallbladder ((TaiChung (LV03); FengChih (GB20) with possibly ST36 added for its gastric effect).
A course of AP can often succeed in desensitising patients to their allergens, despite continued exposure to them. Examples are hay fever, migraine headache and food allergies.
AP in clinical allergies in animals: There are few reports of the use of AP in specific clinical allergies in animals. However, it might be tried in fog fever in cattle and in bronchospasm in horses (similar to asthma) and in non-specific dermatitis, and pruritus in small animals. Also many symptoms of allergies (bloat, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc) in animals are known to respond to AP, aimed at the organ, region or symptom involved.
Experimental allergy in animals: Allergic-encephalomyelitis was induced in guinea pigs by injections of an encephalogenic antigen. Needling certain points (LI11; ST36) enhanced the immune response and exaggerated the allergic response. On the other hand, needling ChihShih (BL52) prevented the allergic response. The antiallergic effect may have been due to release of ACTH and corticosteroids. BL52 has effects on the kidney and adrenal.
AP AND ENDOCRINE RESPONSES
In the paper on AP analgesia, the role of the hypothalamus and endorphin release is discussed more fully. AP stimuli are carried via the peripheral sensory nerves and sympathetic trunks to the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic activation with subsequent activation of the pituitary, may release ACTH, MSH, TSH, gondatropins, pancreatic (insulin) tropins etc depending on which nuclei in the hypothalamus have been stimulated. This, in turn, depends on which AP points have been stimulated. Release of these hormones may cause release of corticosteroids, adrenalin, thyroid hormones, oestrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, prolactin, relaxin, insulin, etc.
Clinical endocrine disorders in humans: AP is used to treat many human endocrine disorders. If there are sufficient endocrine cells which can be activated by the trophic and/or neural stimuli, the results can be very good. However, in chronic or severe cases (especially where hormone substitution therapy has been given for a long time and has suppressed the body's ability to produce its own hormones), the results are not so good.
Examples of endocrine conditions responsive to AP include: mild goitre, mild hormonal infertility (due to oestrogen-prostaglandin-progesterone imbalance), post-parturient agalactia (prolactin, oxytocin), uterine atony at parturition (oxytocin); cervical non-dilation at parturition (ringwomb); recurrent abortion; menopausal syndromes. ln early or mild cases of diabetes mellitus, AP at SP06; LV13 (ChangMen); BL20 (PiShu) can be very effective in controlling blood sugar and in treating pancreatitis. In diabetes insipidus, due to deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone, needling at BL23 (Shen Shu), BL28 (PangKuangShu); GB25 (ChingMen) can help.
Clinical endocrine disorders in animals: Similar conditions in animals have been helped (reproductive disorders; parturition disorders; agalactia; pseudopregnancy; polyuria; hormonal alopecia in castrated cats). However, as in other areas of veterinary AP, documentation of these effects in very scarce.
The evidence from clinical use in humans and animals suggests that some of the therapeutic effects of AP are mediated by the endocrine system.