One Medicine, One Acupuncture

Abstract

Simple Summary“One Acupuncture”, modeled after “One Medicine”, embodies a system of translational acupuncture built upon science and hypothesis-driven research. Forging a synthesis between human and veterinary acupuncture requires consistency in point location across species so that meaningful comparisons can be made. The human acupuncture network provides a template of well-studied neurovascular sites that have changed little over the years, in comparison to their veterinary counterparts. This paper identifies disparities that remain. Reconciling inconsistencies will bolster the ability for researchers and clinicians to better understand and interpret findings from acupuncture studies on various species so that more can benefit from these insights.Abstract“One Acupuncture”, like “One Medicine”, has the potential to improve research quality and clinical outcomes. However, while human acupuncture point locations have remained largely consistent over time, the veterinary versions remain imprecise and variable. Establishing anatomical criteria for veterinary acupuncture atlases in keeping with the human template will create congruence across species, benefiting both research and practice. Anatomic criteria for points based on objectively verifiable structures will facilitate translational research. Functionally comparative innervation, in particular, should be similar between species, as the nerves initiate and mediate physiologic changes that result from point stimulation. If researchers choose points that activate different nerves in one species than in another, unpredictable outcomes may occur. Variability in point placement will impede progress and hamper the ability of researchers and clinicians to make meaningful comparisons across species. This paper reveals incongruities that remain between human and veterinary acupuncture points, illustrating the need to analyze anatomical characteristics of each point to assure accuracy in selecting transpositional acupuncture locations.

The Emperor’s New Clothes—An Epistemological Critique of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture

“…Acupuncturists have claimed that acupoints coincide with nerve endings, blood vessels, tendons and many others [31,32]. However, the same can be said about non-acupoint anatomic regions, which helps explain why there is no consensus regarding the number and precise anatomic location of so-called acupoints, especially in animals [37].…”

“…In other words, gold bead implant acupuncture does not act upon osteoarthritis, but instead works by masking its clinical signs ( via neuromodulation) under the veil of periarticular inflammation. Consequently, the discussion lies in pondering whether introducing 14 G needles in the periarticular space—even without implants—in order to cause chronic tissue inflammation may be an acceptable treatment option for dogs with osteoarthritis [37] and not whether traditional Chinese veterinary acupuncture may have therapeutic effects. Finally, the potential complications caused by the embedding of irretrievable gold fragments should not be neglected [37].…”

Guidance for Acupuncture Robot with Potentially Utilizing Medical Robotic Technologies

“…Phantom models are commonly used to test the performance of the emerging image-guided targeting technologies. Variability in acupoint location will hamper the ability of researchers and clinicians to make meaningful comparisons among patients, while anatomic criteria for points based on objectively verifiable structures will facilitate translational research [ 14 ]. Fiducials are placed in anatomic gelatin phantoms and targeted by robotic systems [ 15 ], which can be feasible for the accurate marking of anatomical points.…”

Spotlight on acupuncture in laboratory animal medicine

“…The rotation of the needle disrupts the underlying subcutaneous connective tissue, which creates a mechanical signal to the nervous system. 23 – 25 The somatic sensory information is carried to the spinal cord and this peripheral afferent signal can lead to one of numerous effects, depending on the site stimulated. As the signal travels to the spinal cord, it can stimulate the dorsal horn which results in the release of endogenous opioids and enhanced analgesia.…”

“…51 Anatomical landmarks and nerve anatomy can be used to find the associated animal acupuncture points, and the translated points have been researched and published. 25 , 52 In animals such as nonhuman primates, translating a human point is fairly straightforward given the similar anatomy. However, more challenges arise when treating dogs, cats, and horses.…”