Positive Health Online

Abstract

ZIJLSTRA and co-workers, Department of Anaesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Centre location, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, f.zijlstra@erasmusmc.nl, have reviewed (125 references) the anti-inflammatory actions of acupuncture. Abstract: Acupuncture has beneficial effects in many diseases and painful conditions and is thought to be useful as an adjunct or as a replacement for pharmacological interventions. The effects of acupuncture have been investigated in inflammatory diseases including asthma, rhinitis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, epicondylitis, complex regional pain syndrome type 1 and vasculitis. Large randomized controlled trials are missing. This article reviews possible underlying mechanisms including the acupuncture-controlled release of neuropeptides from nerve endings and subsequent vasoactive effects through calcitonine gene-related peptide, the complex interactions with substance P, the analgesic contributions of beta-endorphin and the balance between cell-specific inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-10.

Background

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Zijlstra FJ, van den Berg-de Lange I, Huygen FJPM, Klein J. Anti-inflammatory actions of acupuncture. Mediators of Inflammation 12 (2): 59-69, Apr 2003.