Roles Played by Acupuncture in Medical Treatment

Based on TCM theory of acupuncture and moxibustion for guidance, acupuncture is a clinical discipline using acupuncture and moxibustion in prevention and treatment of a disease. It is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture has such advantages as wide indications, significant efficacy, easiness in operation, and being economical and safe, welcomed by the majority of people for thousands of years. Different in treatment meausres, acupuncture treatment focuses on points while Chinese medicine focuses on drugs.

Acupuncture still owns a unique addition to the basic theory of TCM, which is meridian theory. Meridians is the internal and external communication throughout from top to bottom for the body to run blood and contact organs. It "belongs to the organs from the inside and links to the limbs from the outside in the body network." The place where meridians and organs in special parts of the body are infusion acupoints, commonly known as acupuncture points. Doctors advice to patients, according to the diagnosis and treatment to determine the reason and law, party, points and acupuncture means to achieve the yin and yang, rouse and clear the meridians leaving patients recovered.

Modern research shows that acupuncture treatment has effects in: the analgesic effects of (A): (1) the role of peripheral nerve; (2) the role of central nervous system; (3) spinal cord level; (4) the hypothalamic level; (5) cerebral cortex level; (6) central neurotransmitter role. (B) the regulatory role of the various systems of the body functions: (1) acupuncture can adjust the functions of the cardiovascular system; (2) Acupuncture has a two-way adjusting effect on blood pressure regulation; (3) acupuncture can treat respiratory diseases; (4) the more obvious regulatory role of acupuncture on the digestive system; (5) acupuncture has a regulatory role of the kidney and bladder functions; (6) acupuncture can regulate the functions of the uterus; (7) acupuncture also has a regulatory role of the nerve functions; (8) acupuncture has a regulatory role in adjusting the blood components. (C) defense and immunization functions. This shows that the acupuncture treatment has specific substantial foundations.

针灸学是以中医理论为指导，运用针刺和艾灸防治疾病的一门临床学科，它是中医学的重要组成部分，针灸具有适应证广，疗效明显，操作方便，经济安全等优点，数千年来深受广大人民的欢迎。针灸治病与中医药的区别只是治疗手段的不同，一者为药，另一者为穴。

针灸除了基本的中医基础理论外尚有自己独特的经络理论。经络是人体运行气血，联络脏腑，沟通内外，贯串上下的经路，它“内属于府藏，外络于肢节”。经络和脏腑之气在体表输注的特殊部位即腧穴，俗称穴位。医生在诊视患者后，根据辨证论治确定理、法、方、穴及具体的针灸手段，以期达到调和阴阳、扶正祛邪、疏通经络的作用而使患者痊愈。　　

针灸治疗作用现代研究表明其有：(一)镇痛作用：①外周神经作用；②中枢神经的作用；③脊髓水平；④丘脑水平；⑤大脑皮层水平；⑥中枢神经递质作用。(二)对机体各系统功能的调节作用：(1)针灸可调节心血管系统功能;(2)针灸对血压的影响具有双向性调节作用;(3)针灸可治疗呼吸方面的疾病;(4)针灸对消化系统的调节作用较为明显;(5)针灸对肾与膀胱功能具有调节作用;(6)针灸可调节子宫的功能;(7)针灸对神经功能亦具有调节作用;(8)针灸对血液成分的调节。(三)防御免疫功能。由此可见针灸治病是有着具体的物质基础的。