The ancient Chinese believed that acupuncture can improve health
by correcting “imbalances of Yin and Yang.” This overlaps
with the modern concept of homeostasis. Indeed, research suggests
that acupuncture activates the homeostatic mechanism, modulating
various physiological functions in either direction as necessary
to achieve balance. With regards to the immune system, it has been
observed that acupuncture can both stimulate the immune mechanism
(e.g. to treat AIDS) (Chen et al 1992) and suppress the immune system
(e.g. in the management of rhinitis, asthma or eczema) (see sections
on EAR NOSE AND THROAT, RESPIRATORY and DERMATOLOGY conditions above).
Acupuncture appears
to have the potential to modulate the immune system: it releases
ß-endorphin from the pituitary in association with ACTH, and
has been shown to modulate the sympathetic nervous system via the
hypothalamus and at various other levels. Acupuncture influences
specific and nonspecific cellular and humoral immunities. It activates
cell proliferation, including blood, reticuloendothelial, and traumatized
cells and activates leucocytosis, microbicidal activity, antibodies,
globulin, complement, and interferon.
The onset of a response
to acupuncture is often delayed by 12 to 24 hours and lasts for
7 days or longer. This time scale appears to be more like that of
an immune response than that of a neurotransmitter release. (Bossy
1994).
See the following:
Chen,
Cai, Zhai, Zhao. 1992 Investigation on the feasibility of
treating AIDS with acupuncture and moxibustion. International
Journal of Clinical Acupuncture 3(1):13-17
Bossy 1994 Acupuncture
and immunity: basic and clinical aspects. Acupuncture in
Medicine 12(1):60-62
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