Acupuncture Controversy: Comparing Laser Stimulation and Traditional Needle Acupuncture

Journal/Book: Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur. 1994; 37/1: 12-19.

Abstract: Modern medicine is witnessing a renaissance of acupuncture therapy. Many clinical and experimental studies show the analgesic effectiveness of needle acupuncture. With advancing technology various modern instruments are utilized to modify the traditional needle treatment. The discovery of soft-laser in 1960 opened up new horizons in acupuncture treatment. Comparative studies have led to a controversy concerning the hypalgesic efficacy utilizing laseracupuncture. Some researchers find the laser inferior to classical acupuncture and postulate the efficacy of traditional needle acupuncture. Others find that the effect of the laser treatment is similar to that of the needle acupuncture treatment and stress the painlessness, the sterility and the time efficiency of the laser. Findings of experimental and clinical studies are discussed. Traditional and modern theories concerning the physiological mechanism of acupuncture are listed together with researchers, their affiliations, dated of study, findings an interpretations. A thorough review of the literature is presented.

Keyword(s): Nadelakupunktur, Laserakupunktur, Hypalgesie, Theorien über physiologische Wirkmechanismen.

Zurück | Weiter