Acupuncture & Inflammation: Comparing Chinese Medicine & Biomedical Theories & Evidence

Ben Elliot
Nov 28, 2024
5 min read

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury and infection. It is a protective process designed to remove harmful invaders, repair damaged tissue, and restore normal function. However, when inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it can lead to tissue damage and contribute to various health problems including:

Auto Immune disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Infection
Chronic conditions such as Rhinitis, Sinusitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Neuro-degenerative Disease such as Alzheimer and Parkinson's
Musculo-Skeletal issues such as Osteo-Arthritis and Tendonitis
Skin Conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne and Rosacea

Inflammation & Acupuncture theory

As acupuncture is a holistic therapy, each of the above examples of inflammatory conditions need analysing and interpreting individually to form a diagnosis. That said, the broad interpretation of inflammation in Acupuncture theory is an excess of heat. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concept of heat within the body can be generated and manifest in a many different ways. To determine which acupuncture points are most appropriate for treatment depends on the specific presentation of symptoms, taking into account all aspects of a patient's health. TCM components of inflammation include:

Full Heat

Full heat is seen as an excess of Yang in the body which can create a rising effect within the body and causes redness, swelling and pain. All of which are key symptoms of inflammation. Heat can generate internally through factors such as diet and stress, or it can penetrate from the exterior due to hot weather or pathogenic factors.

Empty Heat

While excess heat is due to an excess of Yang, empty heat is generated due to a deficiency of Yin, the moistening and cooling characteristic of the body's function. This lack of cooling allows heat to dominate and is often associated with skin issues. You would expect to see dryness of the skin if empty heat is present.

Stagnation

Stagnation is the notion of stuck-ness which can develop from or into emotional or physical blockages. When these blockages occur, the friction generates heat, which again creates symptoms of pain, swelling, and redness.

Pathogenic Factors

Pathogenic factors in TCM are figurative descriptions of groups of symptoms that can invade from the exterior to create issues and conditions within the body. The most notable Pathogenic Factors that relate to inflammation are:

Heat: From environmental or climactic factors - Creates pain and redness and hot to touch -such as an infection.

Wind: Wind is the spearhead of disease so present whenever a pathogenic factor invades - Associated with pain with sudden onset, stiffness and pain that migrates around the body. For example rheumatoid arthritis.

Damp: Associated with swelling, heaviness, and stiffness and conditions such as bursitis and Gout

Cold: Cold constricts and stagnates, particularly in joints and muscles. Once penetrated within the body, cold often transforms into Heat.

Internal Organs

Internal organs in TCM differ from how we understand our organs function in Western Biomedical Medicine. Some examples of how TCM and Biomedical organs relate to inflammation are as follows:

Liver: The biomedical Liver filters toxins from the blood so plays a part in reducing inflammation. In TCM terms, the Liver controls smooth flow around the body. If impaired, the flow is not smooth and stagnation can occur.

Spleen: The Biomedical spleen also filters blood, removing cellular waste and old blood cells. It also generates white blood cells, important components in fighting infection and reducing inflammation. In TCM terms the Spleen transports and processes food and fluids. If impaired, unprocessed fluids can lead to an accumulation of Damp.

Kidneys: The Biomedical kidneys filter waste from the blood and excrete it via urine. In TCM terms the Kidney's are the root of Yin & Yang, an impairment of the Yin aspect of the organ can lead to a reduction of Yin, giving rise to Yang and heat.

Stomach: The biomedical Stomach is responsible for the mechanical digestion of food. It can become inflamed due to excess alcohol consumption, infection or autoimmune conditions - inflammation ultimately effects the bodies ability to digest food. The TCM stomach is also related to digestion. when digestion is poor heat is generated.

By determining which of the above aspects of TCM theory relates to a person's inflammatory condition will guide me to which acupuncture points to use. It may be that needles are insert in or adjacent to the area of inflammation, or it may be that acupuncture points in seemingly unrelated areas of the body are used in conjunction with the acupuncture framework of acupuncture channel function. That said, the acupuncture point Stomach 36 (ST36) has profound effects on inflammation as a standalone point. A literature review published at National Library of Medicine found that "Acupuncture at ST36 has clinical benefits in relieving inflammation through several mechanisms such as vagus nerve activation, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signaling, macrophage polarization, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and cholinergic anti-inflammatory" - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8790576/

Which brings us nicely into how acupuncture effects inflammation using Western Biomedical knowledge.....

Western Evidence & Theories

There has been significant and positive research into how acupuncture effects our bodies inflammatory response. So much so that the acupuncture's ability to reduce acupuncture both locally and systemically could be a huge component in understanding why acupuncture operates on many levels.

Stimulation of the Nervous System

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, which in turn triggers the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin. These chemicals can have anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the immune and inflammatory responses.

Regulation of Cytokines

Inflammation is controlled by cytokines which signal immune activity. A systematic review showed that acupuncture can influence the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Activation of the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve plays a critical role in the body's inflammatory regulation. Acupuncture, particularly auricular (ear) acupuncture, has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps reduce systemic inflammation through the release of neurotransmitters.

Improved Blood Flow and Micro-Circulation

Acupuncture promotes local blood flow around the needle insertion points, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation in targeted areas. Increased circulation allows for the removal of inflammatory waste products and the delivery of nutrients and oxygen we need for tissue repair.

Stress Reduction

Chronic stress can exacerbate inflammation through prolonged activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Acupuncture helps regulate the stress response, reducing levels of cortisol and other stress-related hormones, which in turn helps manage inflammation. If you wanted to know more about the HPA Axis, have a look at this blog post - https://www.benelliot.co.uk/post/acupuncture-anxiety-depression-and-the-hpa

Acupuncture - A Powerful Alternative

From both western and eastern perspectives, acupuncture is a proven way to deal with inflammatory conditions. It is a powerful alternative for those who either aren't able to take medication, or those who simply don't want to be taking strong anti-inflammatory tablets or steroids. You can also support your treatment by including more anti-inflammatory food in your diet, such as: Turmeric, fatty fish, broccoli, mushrooms, grapes and dark chocolate. Although I would recommend speaking to a professional to ensure these options are suitable for your specific case.