Bilateral Effects of 6 Weeks' Unilateral Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture on Ankle Dorsiflexors Muscle Strength: A Pilot Study

Unilateral intramuscular needling can improve ankle dorsiflexor strength and muscle activation in both legs

“…3,4 Interestingly, there have been recent reports that unilateral electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture at selected acupoints can also induce a crossover effect on the expression of strength in the contralateral limb, with the magnitude being similar to that found in resistance training or transcutaneous electromyostimulation. 5,6 These findings may have potential implications in the practice of physical conditioning and rehabilitation, as well as in advancement of our understanding of cross education, because most of the previous reports on cross education were based on voluntary resistance training. 7e9 In this paper, we refer to "acupuncture" as applying needles at known acupoints following the practice in traditional Chinese medicine, and "needling" as applying needles at sham points (points not identified in traditional Chinese medicine); in addition, we use "cross education" for the effects of voluntary training and "cross transfer" for the effects of electromyostimulation training or needling.…”

“…3,4 The effect may not necessarily be caused by stimulation at specific acupoints, as reported in some investigations where intramuscular needling was not used or electric needling was applied to sham points. 6 Furthermore, it has been reported that manual acupuncture at selected acupoints can also induce cross-transfer effect similar to that induced by electroacupuncture. 6 It would be interesting to find whether manual needling at sham points can induce a similar effect.…”

“…6 Furthermore, it has been reported that manual acupuncture at selected acupoints can also induce cross-transfer effect similar to that induced by electroacupuncture. 6 It would be interesting to find whether manual needling at sham points can induce a similar effect. Such evidence would be essential in understanding whether it is necessary to stimulate certain acupoints and use electric stimulation to cause cross transfer.…”

Dry Needling versus Acupuncture: The Ongoing Debate

“…Fibroblasts not only produce proteins that make up the extracellular matrix, but also transform into myofibroblasts to repair injury via production of collagen and α smooth muscle actin protein. 36 Findings from research studies on the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of needling not only explain why needling per se is effective for musculoskeletal pain treatment, [29][30][31][32][33][34][35] but also account for the growing use of DN in the musculoskeletal field including sports medicine. Needling may thus improve muscle performance, although large, high quality research studies are needed to determine the optimal parameters of needling, including location and direction of needle insertion, duration of needle retention, the requirement for a local twitch response or de qi sensation, the frequency of treatments, and its potential role as a preventive measure.…”

Immediate Response Gain in Handgrip Strength With Acupuncture: An Experimental Study

“…Recent years have witnessed a growing interest of the scientific community in the possible effects of acupuncture in the variables involved in the physical performance (Zhou et al, 2012). Studies of physical strength and performance are more evident in athletes.…”