Mechanisms of action of acupuncture Objective and subjective effects are observed when a needle is inserted into the acupuncture point.
1. Subjective effects: The needle inserted into the acupuncture point causes a local feeling of tension, pressure, warming and pain in the skin. This is called “Deqi” in Chinese literature (10). When the acupuncture needle is inserted, erythema occurs around the point. The reason for this is histamine, bradykinin and similar substances released from damaged cells.
2. Objective effects
a. Effects on the nervous system
b. Effects on the immune system
c. Effects on metabolism
d. Effects on the gastrointestinal system
When we insert the needle into the acupuncture point, the nerve end (Receptor) is stimulated and this warning reaches the spinal cord and then to the relevant centers in the brain through the nerve. As a result of this, various chemical substances are secreted in different areas in our body, and the chemicals secreted through circulation reach the diseased area and show their effect.
Acupuncture treatment effect is collected in 6 groups:
1. Analgesic effect
2. Sedation effect
3. Homeostatic effect
4 Immune stimulant effect (Immune system strengthening effect)
5. Psychological effect
6. Improvement effect on motor functions.
1.Analgesic effect: Analgesic (Painkiller) effect is achieved by secreted Endorphins and Enkephalins. (Endorphins and Enkephalins are chemicals with very strong pain-relieving properties). The analgesic effect of acupuncture is seen immediately after treatment, which is effective in the treatment of arthrosis, headaches, low back and neck pain and similar painful syndromes. These secreted endorphins and encephalins increase the pain threshold and increase the analgesic effect.
2. Sedation effect: It has been determined that acupuncture provides an increase in the release of Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphin, GABA (gamma-amino-buteric-acid) in the brain. Among these substances, Serotonin and Dopamine are substances that provide sedation in humans and relax the patient. It has been determined that the increase in serotonin and dopamine increases the sedation effect in depression, insomnia, anxiety, hysteria, drug addictions and behavioral disorders. .
3.Homeostatic effect: Acupuncture provides homeostatic effect by balancing the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems.
4. Immune stimulant effect: Acupuncture increases body resistance. It strengthens the immune system of our body and protects it from infections caused by bacteria and viruses. It increases the body’s resistance to diseases. After acupuncture treatment, it has been determined that leukocytes (White blood cells) increase and the levels of gammaglobulins, antibodies and substances that form the body’s resistance power increase in the blood.
The effect of acupuncture on the immune system is thought to be due to the effects of endogenous opioids beta endorphins (BE), LE and methionine enkephalin on this system. It was concluded that the application of electroacupuncture increased the secretion of BE in the spleen and, as a result, increased the NK cell activity and the level of interferon gamma. TNF-alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-2 increase B cell proliferation, while interferon gamma and interleukin-2 increase antibody production.
It has been determined that endorphins and enkephalins increase NK cell activity, cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation, monocyte chemotaxis, interferon gamma, interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 production. It has been determined that alpha, beta and gamma endorphins have different immune functions. It makes this effect by increasing the value of leukocytes, antibodies and gamma-globulins in the blood, thus increasing the body’s resistance against infection.
5.Psychological effect: It is stated that enkephalins, one of the endogenous opioids whose levels increase in the central nervous system and plasma with the application of acupuncture, play a role in regulating the mental and psychological state. It is known that enkephalins have antidepressant, anticonvulsive and anti-anxiety effects. In addition to endogenous opioids, acupuncture has been observed to increase serotonin levels in the central nervous system.
Serotonin is a hormone known as the “happiness hormone” and affects our mood a lot. Serotonin has a calming and tranquilizing effect. As a result of studies conducted today, it is thought that serotonin deficiency is the basis of many diseases such as depression, migraine, obsessive compulsive disorder, obesity, insulin resistance, fibromyalgia and hyperactivity.
It has been determined that serotonin has effects on feeling good, happy and contented, normal appetite and sex drive, and psychomotor balance.
Serotonin regulates sleep, sexual energy, mood, and appetite with sudden and excessive desires. Low levels of serotonin can cause irritable, restless and depressed moods. It manages the movements of the muscular system in the stomach and intestines, regulates your pain perception system and provides a restful sleep. When serotonin levels drop, our mood and general mood are affected. Apart from this, the level of serotonin in the human body is also affected by various hormones. For example, the increase in estrogen in the female body causes an increase in the level of serotonin; Likewise, the decrease in estrogen hormones during menstruation of women also decreases the level of serotonin, and this may cause migraine in women as a result of excessive dilation of blood vessels. A serotonin deficiency in the brain can lead to endogenous depression, impair appetite and lead to obesity or other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa, may also be responsible for insomnia. Before the migraine attack, the level of serotonin in the body is high and decreases after the attack. In addition, it has been determined that many patients who have had a heart attack are depressed and more serotonin is excreted in their urine. Hunger, fatigue, stress, food, light and drugs have been found to reduce serotonin levels. When serotonin is high or sufficient; our morale is high, we sleep comfortably, our appetite decreases, our mental health improves, our energy increases. Many diseases occur in the irregularity of this hormone, which is so effective in our body
6. Improvement effect on motor functions: Improvement effect on motor functions with acupuncture application and therefore it has been applied in hemiplegia (stroke) rehabilitation and facial paralysis (facial paralysis) cases. Acupuncture application affects the nervous system and it is observed that it causes changes in the concentrations of K + , Na + , Ca + in the neurons, the amounts of neuropeptides such as beta endorphin and leucine enkephalin and neurotransmitters such as aspartate in the central nervous system. Researchers mainly hold the view that the effects of acupuncture are regulated by the brain, and they state that EA application causes a strong change in nerve cell action potential. In cases of paralysis, response can be obtained with acupuncture even in the late stages.
Acupuncture, It has been determined that it strengthens the muscle, tendon and bone structure. It is used for doping in athletes because it has been found to increase working power in experimental studies.
