Acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine practiced for thousands of years, is increasingly recognized as an effective therapy for a variety of autoimmune diseases. A recent review highlights the experimental and clinical evidence supporting its role in managing these complex conditions. This review, encompassing randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from 2000 to 2023, sheds light on acupuncture’s therapeutic potential in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis (UC), and more. Furthermore, the review reveals the anatomical uniqueness of acupuncture points. [1]
How Acupuncture Works in Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune diseases arise from dysregulation of immune homeostasis, resulting in the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues. Standard treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), often come with significant side effects. This has driven many patients to explore complementary therapies, including acupuncture.
The review reveals that acupuncture downregulates inflammatory cytokines, promotes anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression, enhances Treg cell differentiation, and modulates macrophage polarization in experimental models of RA and UC. These biological mechanisms involve the activation of vagal-adrenal and cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways, while its pain-relieving effects engage both peripheral and central anti-nociceptive systems.
Acupuncture’s impact extends beyond manual needling to complementary methods like electroacupuncture (EA), moxibustion, and laser acupuncture. Each of these approaches activates specific biological responses, including mast cell degranulation, which triggers an analgesic and anti-inflammatory cascade. [2]
Clinical Evidence for Acupuncture in Autoimmune Diseases
Randomized controlled trials support the use of acupuncture in alleviating symptoms of RA, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Additional evidence points to its potential in managing multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. For these disorders, acupuncture has been shown to address common symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and inflammation.
The safety profile of acupuncture is another significant advantage. Studies evaluating tens of thousands of treatments report an exceptionally low rate of adverse effects, making it a highly safe option for patients.
A Mechanistic Insight
The review highlights how acupuncture interacts with distinct acupoint structures, which are densely packed with mast cells and nerve endings. Needle insertion and manipulation trigger biochemical cascades involving the release of histamine, serotonin, and adenosine, all of which contribute to acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. These effects are further enhanced by alternative stimulation methods such as heat (moxibustion) or electrical currents (electroacupuncture).
Acupuncture Point Discovery
The anatomical uniqueness of and physiology of acupuncture points are revealed. The reviewers note, “It appears that acupoint structures are quite distinct from other skin areas, are characterized by high density of mast cells, and by abundance of nerve endings [3].” They add that manual acupuncture needle stimulation, through the twisting of collagen fibers, “triggers degranulation of mast cells through mechanosensitive transient receptor potential vanniloid-2 (TRPV2) channel protein on their membrane [4].” This is followed by releases of histamines, serotonin, adenosine, ATP, and other mediators which produce analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. [5]
Global Recognition and Clinical Integration
Acupuncture has earned endorsements from respected health organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), for its effectiveness in treating certain conditions, especially chronic pain. The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society recommend acupuncture as a first-line non-pharmacological therapy for chronic low back pain [6].
Conclusion
The reviewers note that acupuncture presents a compelling option for patients with autoimmune diseases, offering symptom relief with minimal risks. As research continues to unravel its mechanisms and expand its clinical applications, acupuncture may become a cornerstone of integrative approaches to managing these challenging conditions.
Source
1–6. Gamus, Dorit, and Yehuda Shoenfeld. "Acupuncture therapy in autoimmune diseases: A narrative review." Autoimmunity Reviews (2024): 103709. Centers: Complementary and Integrative Medicine Service, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. Reichman University, Herzelia, Israel. Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
