Acupuncture for immune-mediated disorders

Philip A.M. Rogers MRCVS
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Postgraduate Course in Veterinary AP, Dublin, 1996
Updated 1993, 1995

See also the earlier review "Acupuncture effects on the body's defence systems and conditions responsive to acupuncture" (Rogers 1980)

SUMMARY

Acupuncture (AP) activates the defence systems . It influences specific and nonspecific cellular and humoral immunity; activates cell division, including blood-, reticulo-endothelial- and traumatised- cells; activates leucocytosis, microbicidal activity, antibodies, globulin, complement and interferon. It modulates hypothalamic-pituitary control of the autonomic and neuroendocrine systems, especially microcirculation, response of smooth and striated muscle and local and general thermoregulation.

Applications of AP include inflammation; trauma; tissue healing; burns; ulcers; indolent wounds; ischaemia; necrosis; gangrene; infections; post-infection sequelae; fever; auto-immune disease; allergy; anaphylaxis and shock; treatment or prevention of side effects from or sequelae to cerebrovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), general anaesthetics, parturition, surgery, cytotoxic chemotherapy and ionizing radiation. AP may inhibit neoplastic cells.

Immunostimulant points include LI04,11; ST36; GB39; SP06; GV14; BL11,20,23-28; CV12. Some, such as BL52 are immunosuppressive. Antifebrile points include GV14 and ST36. Reactive reflex SHU, MU and Earpoints are useful in organic diseases. In immunomediated diseases, some or all of those points can be used with other points, especially local points and points for the major symptoms and/or points for the affected body part, area, function or organ.

INTRODUCTION

"Control of infectious diseases has depended on the use of vaccines and antibiotics, isolation and embargo, test and slaughter programmes. These strategies have failed to eradicate the major infectious diseases of livestock" (1). "Bacterial infections of the mare's uterus have the same incidence as they had before penicillin was discovered and the economic importance of endometritis is increasing with the increase in value of horses" (2).

Micro-organisms and other pests preceded the evolution of higher species and will exist long after their extinction. For optimum chance of survival, higher forms must learn to co-exist with lower. Adaptation is the key.

Acupuncture (AP) has antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral effects. It enhances humoral and cellular immunity and has antiallergic effects. Earlier papers on the effects of AP on immunity were reviewed (3-9). Trelles et al (10) reviewed low power laser therapy (LLLT). The stimulus elicited analgesia, vasodilation, antiinflammatory and antioedematous effects, biostimulatory effects, cell proliferation, cicatrisation and tissue regeneration (wounds, burns, ulcers of skin and portio uteri, herpes lesions, urethritis, haemorrhoids, sinusitis, bone fractures and osteomyelitis, arthritis, muscle injury, neuralgia, alopecia areata) and local immune responses.

This Chapter summarises papers published mainly since 1980. The papers were published in medical journals, or in journals not usually read by orthodox health professionals. Most of the abstracts are from the American Journal of AP and the Scandinavian Journal of AP and Electrotherapy. Most of the reviews listed above are excluded. Readers are referred to those reviews.