Acupuncture research in Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan has a unique cultural milieu and integrated medical education so that is a bellwether for acupuncture research. Pioneer researches here on electrophysiology and neuroendocrine illustrate a crucial role of the central nervous system (CNS) plays in acupuncture treatment. With different frequency of stimulation, acupuncture can elicit different physiologic responses in the CNS and neuroendocrine systems. Researches in Taiwan on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), cardiovascular system, meridian theory, and acupoint specificity further shed light on the mechanism of acupuncture treatment. The strong research background in Taiwan enables clinicians here to conduct integrated trials on different disorders. Pain syndromes and neurologic disorders are the leading issues on acupuncture clinical trials. Novel concepts and studies hailed from Taiwan have great impact worldwide. In addition to pain syndromes, Taiwanese clinicians pay much attention to diverse kinds of diseases. This broadens the spectrum of acupuncture trials and clinical application of acupuncture treatment. The exploration conducted in Taiwan leads acupuncture research worldwide.

Attitudes toward acupuncture in Hong Kong

“…As a result, acupuncture has drawn a considerable scholarly attention. Many of the studies focus on acupuncture's clinical effects (e.g., Chen and Hsieh, 2012;Ernst et al, 2007;Kaptchuk, 2002;Lee et al, 2004;Sun et al, 2001;Yeung et al, 2009;Vickers, et al, 2012), and most social science research treats acupuncture as a form of complementary or alternative medicine. Very few studies focus on acupuncture per se.…”

Effects of electroacupuncture at KI3 and ST36 on the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in a rat model of chronic glomerulonephritis

“…28–33 Moreover, by varying the stimulation frequencies, EA can trigger different physiological reactions in the CNS and neuroendocrine system. 34…”

Contemporary acupressure therapy: Adroit cure for painless recovery of therapeutic ailments

“…Acupressure is more compatible to pharmacotherapy due to ease of self-administration. It plays a vital role in pain restoration, promotion of psychological well-being as well as patients' quality of life 96 . People who are not yet comfortable with needles or when there is need of stimulating more delicate acupoints, acupressure therapy is preferred.…”