Point specificity in acupuncture
<p>Abstract</p> <p>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-re...
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doaj-66353ea0a9404a56ac378474dc4439512020-11-24T23:18:02ZengBMCChinese Medicine1749-85462012-02-0171410.1186/1749-8546-7-4Point specificity in acupunctureChoi Emma MJiang FangLonghurst John C<p>Abstract</p> <p>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.</p> http://www.cmjournal.org/content/7/1/4 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Choi Emma M Jiang Fang Longhurst John C |
spellingShingle |
Choi Emma M Jiang Fang Longhurst John C Point specificity in acupuncture Chinese Medicine |
author_facet |
Choi Emma M Jiang Fang Longhurst John C |
author_sort |
Choi Emma M |
title |
Point specificity in acupuncture |
title_short |
Point specificity in acupuncture |
title_full |
Point specificity in acupuncture |
title_fullStr |
Point specificity in acupuncture |
title_full_unstemmed |
Point specificity in acupuncture |
title_sort |
point specificity in acupuncture |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Chinese Medicine |
issn |
1749-8546 |
publishDate |
2012-02-01 |
description |
<p>Abstract</p> <p>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.</p> |
url |
http://www.cmjournal.org/content/7/1/4 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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