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A New Theory for Acupuncture: Promoting Robust Regulation
Yuan Xu1, Yang Guo2, Yuru Song3
1Experimental Acupuncture-Moxibustion Research Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
|February 28, 2018
Summary
Acupuncture enhances the human body's self-medicating ability by promoting robustness, which is the capacity of biological networks to maintain function under stress. This review explores acupuncture's role in disease prevention and health maintenance through robustness.
Area of Science:
- Biological Network Theory
- Integrative Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Biological robustness is crucial for living systems to withstand perturbations.
- Acupuncture involves needle insertion to stimulate physiological responses.
- Current understanding lacks a clear framework for acupuncture's mechanism of action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties and functions of acupuncture.
- To elucidate acupuncture's role in disease prevention and health maintenance.
- To propose that acupuncture enhances biological robustness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of acupuncture studies.
- Analysis of biological network theory and robustness principles.
- Synthesis of evidence linking acupuncture to regulatory system activation and homeostasis.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture does not directly eliminate pathogens but enhances self-regulation.
- Acupuncture activates complex regulatory systems.
- Acupuncture promotes physiological homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture's primary effect is regulating the body to enhance robustness.
- Enhanced robustness contributes to disease prevention and treatment.
- Acupuncture supports health maintenance by bolstering the body's inherent resilience.
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