Sympathetic nerve activity with acupuncture

Journal/Book: Aus: Rehab in Review Vol.6 No.6 1998. Physikalische Medizin Heft 5 8. Jahrgang Oktober 1998 M 62. 1998;

Abstract: Knardahl S. et al.: Sympathetic nerve activ ity after acupuncture in humans. Pain 75 (1998) 19-25 While the analgesic effects of acupuncture are not well elucidated some investigators have suggested that endogenous opioids may be involved. Others have suggested that acupuncture may reduce the sympathoadrenal activity associated with pain and stress. This study sought to determine whether electrical acupuncture stimulation can reduce sympathetic nerve activity in healthy individuals. Nine healthy volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 38 years were studied while five healthy volunteers ages 24 to 39 years served as controls. To study pain thresholds a constant current stimulator was used to deliver an electrical current to a tooth with the current gradually increased. Subjects were asked to break the current with a handheld switch as soon as a pain sensation in the tooth was perceived. During this procedure mean arterial pressure heart rate blood flow (as measured by a twochannel laser Doppler) and multi-unit efferent postganglionic sympathetic activity were recorded. In the treatment group acupuncture needles were inserted bilaterally into the Li 11 and the Li 4 acupuncture points then manipulated until the "chi-sensation" was reported. Biphasic electrical Stimulation of two Hz pulses of 0.6 to 0.8 ms duration was delivered for 30 minutes with an acupuncture stimulator. The placebo group underwent the same procedure with needles inserted proximal to the above-... schö

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