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Acupuncture has been proven scientifically by many studies to improve immunity against all types of viral and bacterial infections.
India
healthysoch
New Delhi, July 10, 2020 :
Acupuncture is a complementary medical practice that entails stimulating certain points on the body, most often with a needle penetrating the skin, to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions. Acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific anatomic sites–commonly referred to as acupuncture points, or acupoints.
Dr Raman Kapur,“PADMA SHRI” Awardee
Mechanism of Acupuncture in modulating immunity:- Immunity is of 2 types ( Born innate and acquired immunity). Acupuncture works to improve our acquired immunity by:
- Reinforcement of natural killers cells (NK). NK cells play a vital role in killing virus infected cells by increasing levels of interon and β endorphins in the body.
- Modulation of TH1/TH2 cell responses:- is an important cause of immune diseases/infections. Acupuncture rebalances these cell responses by activating certain cytokines which helps to fight the disease. For Example:- In chronic asthma/allergic bronchitis, the TH2 cell response is overactive, leading to high levels of IGE in the body. Acupuncture helps restore the TH1 and TH2 balance to normal.
- Neural-Immune communication:- Acupuncture activates the hypothalamus, which causes release of β endorphins, which further act on opoid receptors present throughout the body. Activation of hypothalamus also regulates activity of Autonomic Nervous System.
Mechanism of Acupuncture in sleep disorders/stress due to fear of covid infection:-
- insertion of Acupuncture needles activates peripheral nerves and muscles through sensory stimulation which further modulates the parasympathetic nervous system ( a major regulator of sleep)
- Acupuncture regulates various neurotransmitter’s and hormonal factors like endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, ACTH and melatonin. ( All of which play a major role in sleep regulation).
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT:-
Most common scientific studies have been conducted using acupoints DU.20, P.6, ST.36 and SP.6. Treatment with acupuncture to promote immunity is generally given thrice a week for about 4 weeks and then a maintenance treatment of once a week is sufficient.
Other adjuvant modalities:
- Moxibustion, in which a herb ( Artemesia vulgaris) is made into a roll and burnt over an acupuncture point ST.36 ( 10 minutes each side). It can also be used a a self help device to improve immunity. This point is also known in Acupuncture as a point for treating 400 diseases.
- Ear press needles at specific ear points can also be used to promote immunity and restore normal sleep patterns. Ear points used are shenmen, sympathetic, Lu, K and spleen points.
- Catgut embedding therapy at a specific point on the anterior chest wall (REN 17) has also been used to improve respiratory capacity in patients with chronic asthma and COPD.
- Electro Acupuncture(EA)- Electrodes are applied to certain acupuncture points in order to stimulate the body’s central nervous system ( specially the hypothalamus) to produce specific neurotrasmitters and opoids. These chemicals further enhance the patient’s immunity.
- Cupping therapy:- Application of special cups ( Bamboo, plastic or glass) at certain target points, helps to relax the tense muscles and induce a sense of calmness in the body. This helps induce sleep.
Author : Dr Raman Kapur is the Head of the department of Acupunture, Ganga Ram Hospital, ND
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