Scientists Find New Clue about Acupuncture

http://english.epochtimes.com/news/4-3-22/20539.html

By Jerilyn Watson
VOA News
Mar 22, 2004

American researchers have reported progress in learning how the
ancient traditional Chinese method of acupuncture fights pain and
other health conditions. During acupuncture, very small, sharp
needles are placed in the skin at targeted points on the body.
Acupuncture has been practiced in China for thousands of years, but
Western medicine has been unable to understand its how or why it
works.
Doctor Bruce Rosen presented an acupuncture study at a meeting of
the American Psychosomatic Society in Orlando, Florida. Doctor Rosen
is with the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

Doctor Rosen reported that the study findings could show how the
brain might help people suffering from a number of health problems.
These include pain, unexplained worry and sadness and some disorders
of the stomach and intestines. The findings also may aid people who
are fighting dependence on substances like illegal drugs.

Doctor Rosen led a team that studied about twenty healthy people.
The team examined the people with functional magnetic resonance
imaging devices. MRI's can show changes in the flow of blood and the
amount of oxygen in the blood. They studied the people before,
during and after acupuncture. The researchers placed acupuncture
needles in the skin on the peoples' hands. They chose places linked
to pain relief in traditional Chinese acupuncture.

Most of the people reported that their hands felt heavy after the
needles were placed. Blood flow to some areas of the brain decreased
quickly in these people. Doctor Rosen said that was a sign that the
acupuncture was working correctly.

But a few of the people said their hands hurt. Their needles were
probably not placed correctly. Their MRI's showed an increase in
blood in the same areas of the brain where the other people showed a
decrease.

Doctor Rosen reported that this means that acupuncture eased the
work of the brain. The affected brain areas are the forebrain, the
cerebellum and the brainstem. They help control pain and emotions.
These areas have a rich supply of a chemical called dopamine.

Doctor Rosen said the reduced blood flow may lead to changes in
dopamine. This, in turn, leads to a reaction that releases
endorphins. These brain chemicals reduce pain and help fight
feelings of sadness.