Page 23 - Time Special Edition Alternative Medicine (January 2020)

Naturally occurring brain opiates appear to be those punctures can hurt a bit, depending on where
activated by acupuncture as well: imag ing stud- the needles are inserted and how deftly. But once
ies show that mu-opioid receptors—the molecular they’re in place, treatment requires nothing more
attachment sites that help nerve cells process the than that you lie still and relax.
pain-relieving chemicals—have im proved binding Maybe acupuncture produces enduring re sults
ability after treatment. Brain scans have also helped and maybe it doesn’t. It is certainly the case that it
to validate an important part of the acupunctur- appears more effective in relieving pain, stress and
ist’s healing technique: the rotation of the needles anxiety than it does with gastrointestinal or respi-

that leads to something known as “de qi,” in which ratory disorders. But as with any com plementary
the body’s tissue seems to grab hold of the metal. treatment, it’s meant to be taken as part of a buffet

There’s nothing mysterious about this; tissue fibers of choices. And when you are suffering from some-
actually wind around the needle, making it signifi- thing as frustrating as chronic pain, why wouldn’t
cantly more difficult to remove. Patients may report you try whatever might help?
a tingle or electric sensation when de qi occurs, and “It’s the effects of the treatment that are im-
this too travels to the brain, quieting pain centers. portant to the patient, even if those effects are

The trade-off is a big payoff of analgesic effect for caused by unspecific factors,” says Linköping Uni-
a little pinprick. versity’s Anna Enblom, who conducted one of the
Ultimately, it’s this minimally invasive qual ity sham-acupuncture studies. Sure, we need to figure
that makes acupuncture so appealing. Yes, a nat- out what those factors are, but that’s a job for doc-
ural skittishness accompanies being punc tured tors and other scientists. The patient’s only job is to
by needles, even exceedingly fine ones. And yes, reap the rewards. 

midst of a pain crisis, as well as an
opioid crisis,” says Helene Langevin,
director of the National Center for
Complementary and Integrative
Health, who adds that non-drug
approaches for chronic pain are
a major research focus for the
center. Studies have shown, says
Langevin, that “approaches such as
spinal manipulation, acupuncture
and yoga can help people manage
their chronic-pain symptoms.”
Moreover, in many instances, these
treatments can be first-line options.
Another promising area of emerging
research, adds Langevin, is “natural
products, including cannabinoids
and animal venoms.”
The NCCIH is aiming to develop
both “new tools and new thinking,”
says Langevin. And to remind
us, above all, that pain demands
a “whole person” approach. By
deepening our understanding of
the interactions between the brain
and the body, she says, “NCCIH
can establish the cross-disciplinary
and integrative thinking needed to
address pain in more comprehensive
ways.” And that will save lives.