NEURO ACUPUNCTURE:BASIC

CONCEPTS: BRAIN-ORGAN
ACUPUNCTURE AND SAFTY IN
ACCUPUNKTUR

Dr. Titiek Hidayati M. Kes.

Dept. Epidemiologi, kedokteran keluarga dan kedokteran masyarakat

Does acupuncture work ?

Adolf Huxley
It cant be believed
That a needle stuck into ones foot should improve the
functioning of ones liver is obviously incredible.

It cant be believed, because, in terms of currently

accepted physiological theory it makes no sense.
Within our system of explanation there is no reason why
a needle-prick should be followed by an improvement of
liver function.
Therefore we say, it cant happen. The only trouble with
this argument is that, as matter of empirical fact, it does
happen.

It is important to appreciate that we do

not know how acupuncture works and
because of this, the results obtained
seem illogical
Consequently :
1. The doctor must appreciate the empirical
evidence concerning the effectiveness of
acupuncture
2. He should understand that the majority of
disorders are self limiting, that the individual has
immense resources available to heal himself
improves the quality of his life
3. Through his knowledge and experience, he must
develop confidence in the usefulness of
acupuncture

How does acupuncture

work ?
British Medical Journal, vol. 283,
195-196
September 19, 1981

Mechanism of acupuncture
stimulation
Via vascular/autonomic nerve system
Via sistem saraf (Neuroacupuncture)

L. Sherwood, Human Physiology, 2004

akupunktur medik
pendekatan ilmiah
mekanisme efek terapi akupunktur
melalui pembuktian
dengan metode kedokteran barat
yang menghasilkan
efek yang terukur, objektif,
bisa diulang,
model penelitian dpt dengan hewan coba

Pendekatan dengan metode barat

(pemakaian peralatan canggih
terjamin objektivitasnya)

Termografi (kamera sinar

inframerah)
Bioassay
Brain CT Scan
fMRI
Mikroskop elektron

Pendekatan dengan metode barat

(pemakaian peralatan canggih
terjamin objektivitasnya)

Termografi (kamera sinar

inframerah)
Bioassay
Brain CT Scan
fMRI
Mikroskop elektron

Penelitian
Litscher, Wang
Termografi
PC-6 + LI-11

 When a nerve is blocked by local anesthetic,

acupuncture is ineffective in the territory
supplied by that nerve
Acupuncture effect is conducted along the
nerve (Cheng, 1973)

Anonymous, The miracle of acupuncture, 1993

 309 acupoints : on or very closed to nerves

286 acupoints : on or very closed to major
blood vessels
Sympathetic nerve also be involved (Goulden
1921)
many acupoints correlate closely with trigger
points (Travell & Simon1983), correspond
with motor points of muscles (Liu, Varela &
Oswald 1977)

Anonymous, The miracle of acupuncture, 1993

Cho, Neuroacupuncture, 2001

Evidence implicating the sympathetic

nervous system in acupuncture effects
A fall in blood pressure and intestinal
vasodilatation following
electroacupuncture in rabbits
(Matsumoto & Mayers 1973)
Skin vasoconstriction followed by
longer lasting warming effect in
human volunteers following manual
and electrical acupuncture
stimulation (Ernst & Lee 1985)
Anonymous, The miracle of acupuncture, 1993

The peripheral nervous system is

neurologically linked to internal organs
through the autonomic system.
Stimulation of the musculoskeletal
system can reach and modify
autonomic activity (Lee & Ernst 1989).

Filshie, J. Medical Acupuncture 1998

Deqi :
A subjective feeling of warmth in
the patient
A red flare in the skin (revealed
by therapist) (axon reflex brought
about by stimulation of C and A
fibers)
Anonymous, The miracle of acupuncture, 1993

 Segmental
Heterosegmental

 Segmental
Heterosegmental

Segmental acupuncture : the

most effective form of pain
relief

Anonymous, The miracle of acupuncture, 1993

Cornu posterior medulla spinalis

Tractus Spinotalamicus

Nociceptive Pathway
1. Tranduksi (transduction) : stimuli kuat
mekanik, termik atau kimiawi diubah
menjadi suatu aktivitas listrik
2. Transmisi (transmission) : penjalaran
impuls melalui syaraf sensoris menyusul
proses transduksi
3. Modulasi (modulation) : interaksi antara
sistem analgesik endogen dengan input
nyeri yang masuk ke cornu posterior
medulla spinalis
4. Persepsi (perception) : hasil akhir dari
proses interaksi yang komplek dan unik

 Cheng Pomeranz
(1979)
Han Ji Sheng
(1998)
Cho, ZH (2001)
Mekanisme
endorphinergic
Dinetralkan
dengan naloxon