Investigation of the Phenomenon of Propagated Sensation along the Channels in the Upper Limb Following Administration of Acupuncture and Mock Laser

Stimuli-induced NOergic Molecules and Neuropeptides Mediated Axon Reflexes Contribute to Tracers along Meridian Pathways

An abundance of studies from different international groups have demonstrated tracers along linear pathways resembling meridians over the body surface of humans. All experiments of the studies have been conducted by injection of a radiotracer solution or tracer dyes in a volume of solution into acupuncture points (acupoints). The solution injected into acupoints produces much stronger mechanical stimuli than acupuncture, which causes axon reflex. Anatomical studies have demonstrated that acupoints/meridians exist higher number of small nerve fibers and blood vessels with rich nitric oxide (NO) and neuropeptides in the cutaneous tissues as structures for the biomolecules mediated axon reflexes. Recent advances have determined that NO and calcitonin generelated peptides play crucial roles in the comprehension of the axon reflex. The stimuli-evoked axon reflex and NOergic biomolecules/neuropeptides increase local blood flow with higher levels in acupoints/meridians, which move radioactive substances or tracer dyes in the skin and subcutaneous tissue under a linear path resembling acupoints and meridians, the important phenomena of meridians induced by the stimuli. The evidence and understanding of the biomolecular processes of the tracers along linear pathways resembling meridians have been summarized with an emphasis on recent developments of NO and neuropeptides mediating stimuli-evoked axon reflexes to increase local blood flow with higher levels in acupoints/meridians, which move radioactive substances or tracer dyes in the skin and subcutaneous tissue contributing to tracers along linear pathways resembling meridians in this mini-review.

Therapeutic Sensations: A New Unifying Concept

Physical sensations of tingling, warmth, dull pain, and heaviness are a common phenomenon in mind-body interventions, such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, osteopathy, qigong, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. Even though there are striking parallels between sensations produced by many different interventions, no attempt has yet been made to understand them from a unifying perspective that combines information from different therapies and practices. Therefore, this narrative systematic review introduces the concept of therapeutic sensations and summarizes studies of their sensory quality, bodily topography, and the meaning that patients attach to them. Furthermore, it highlights the essential role of therapeutic sensations in the development of vital energy concepts, such as qi, prana, pneuma, and orgone, in various traditional medicine systems, body-oriented psychotherapy, and so-called energy medicine. Finally, the assessment of therapeutic sensations may help to gain a deeper understanding of such concepts, finding a common language between scientists, patients and practitioners, and bridging the wide gap between materialistic and vitalistic views.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Emergency Treatment Mechanism and Application

Traditional Chinese medicine has usually been recognized to be efficacious to treat chronic diseases from the western point-of-view. However, there is a long history in China of applying traditional Chinese medicine in many acute and urgent medical conditions. In this review, selected methods documented in traditional Chinese medicine including blowing air to ear, nose insufflating therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion were presented as the common practices to promote consciousness recovery from coma. We aimed to explore the mechanism of these four methods with current scientific evidence, further discuss the potential of traditional Chinese medicine to be applied in emergency medicine and provide a path forward to more rigorously validate these procedures. The development of the integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicines provides a new therapeutic direction for the new first-aid treatment.