point specificity in acupuncture点特异性针灸.pdfVIP

Choi et al. Chinese Medicine 2012, 7:4 /content/7/1/4 REVIEW Open Access Point specificity in acupuncture 1 1 1,2* Emma M Choi , Fang Jiang and John C Longhurst Abstract The existence of point specificity in acupuncture is controversial, because many acupuncture studies using this principle to select control points have found that sham acupoints have similar effects to those of verum acupoints. Furthermore, the results of pain-related studies based on visual analogue scales have not supported the concept of point specificity. In contrast, hemodynamic, functional magnetic resonance imaging and neurophysiological studies evaluating the responses to stimulation of multiple points on the body surface have shown that point-specific actions are present. This review article focuses on clinical and laboratory studies supporting the existence of point specificity in acupuncture and also addresses studies that do not support this concept. Further research is needed to elucidate the point-specific actions of acupuncture. Background As TCM has been disseminated worldwide, different Point specificity remains an important underlying prin- versions of acupuncture techniques have been devel- ciple used for prescribing acupuncture treatment in tra- oped, some of which do not follow the TCM principles ditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to TCM for acupoint selection. For instance, ‘trigger point acu- theory, stimulation of acupoints elicits functional puncture’ involves stimulation of only Ashi points, sin- responses that can be used to treat diseases [1]. Practi- gle-point a