Acupuncture

Question 1

List the NIH recommended uses for acupuncture.

Answer 1

• adult postop N/V
• adult chemotherapy N/V
• adult postop dental pain
• addiction
• stroke rehab
• headache
• menstrual cramps
• myofascial pain
• fibromyalgia
• tennis elbow
• osteoarthritis
• low back pain
• carpal tunnel
• asthma

Question 2

Describe the normal pain pathway.

Answer 2

1. stimulus
2. travels along C fibers (unmyelinated, small) and Ad (small, myelinated) => STT
3. thalamus
4. somatosensory cortex

Question 3

Compare and contrast LF and HF stimulation.

Answer 3

LF/HI

• 2-15 Hz
• stimulation => Type II and III nerve fibers => ATL => releases enkephalin and dynorphin B onto STT (presynaptic inhibition), releases enkephalin, SE and NE onto midbrain (postsynaptic inhibition; turns off cell 9; stimulates cells 10, 11, and Raphe to allow pain suppression), releases B-endorphin and ACTH on hypothalamus (inhibits cell 9; added anti-inflammatory effects)
• effect is blocked by naloxone (opioid antagonist)
• slow onset, long duration
• cumulative effects

HF/LI

• 30-200 Hz
• stimulus => type II and III => release GABA on STT (presynaptic inhibition)
• effect NOT blocked by naloxone
• fast onset, short duration
• non-cumulative

Question 4

Describe the thermoelectric coupling effect of Kelvin-Thomas.

Answer 4

• electron gradient + temperature gradient from the body to the outside of the needle
• allows needles to suck out electrons and heat from the body

Question 5

Describe Benedick’s effect.

Answer 5

• acupuncture needles are metal + wrapped in metal
• creates a capacitor - able to store electrons
• reinforces the removal of electrons from the body