According to an article from Nature Neuroscience as found HERE, acupuncture at local sites resulted in huge increases in extra-cellular ATP, ADP, AMP, and adenosine in mice.  While ATP levels returned to normal levels after treatment, the levels of  adenosine, AMP and ADP remained at significantly higher levels.

Specifically, the study went on to investigate if the 24-fold increase in adenosine played a role in the anti-nociceptive (pain-relief) effects of acupuncture.  They did this by blocking the A1 receptors originally used to detect adenosine.  Pain sensitivity and relief were observed and clearly linked to this receptor and when blocked with an A1 agonist, the benefit of the acupuncture was not seen.  The pain reducing effect of acupuncture was also not observed in mice that lacked this specific receptor.

The study goes into great detail isolating the actual pain-relieving effect of adenosine and shows a very clear connection between using acupuncture point St36 and the stimulation of adenosine and correlating it's increase in concentration to pain-relief.

While, as an acupuncturist, we've known this for thousands of years, the scientific community can now safely conclude that we now have at least 2 studies clearly showing how, at least for pain-relief, acupuncture is proven to work.  Along with this study, an earlier study as referenced in this article HERE shows a direct connection between acupuncture and the release of B-endorphins.  B-endorphins have a strong analgesic effect to reduce pain.

With this latest update, we can only hope that Western-type doctors can now recommend acupuncture with a clear conscience  knowing that acupuncture is not just a placebo effect.

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Craig Amrine, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and can be contacted through his website www.hiddenrhythmacupuncture.

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