Canadian RMT Magazine Spring 2016 Volume 1 | Page 22

Neurofunctional
Acupuncture:

A mechanism-based model for pain treatment
By Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco, MD (Spain),
Director McMaster Contemporary Acupuncture Program

P

ain problems involve a complex combination of movement dysfunctions, sensory signals, and emotions. To
treat pain successfully we need a treatment model that
considers all relevant contributions by the nervous system such
as peripheral and central sensitization phenomena.
A great contemporary therapeutic intervention based on that
model is neurofunctional acupuncture, a science-based modality with multiple effects in the central and peripheral nervous
system. In a simple definition, neurofunctional acupuncture
consists of the stimulation of peripheral nerves
and their receptors with
acupuncture needles and
electricity for therapeutic
purposes.
Effects to this stimulation include the production of analgesia in muscle
pain by at least two specific
mechanisms: 1) improvement of perfusion in the
painful muscle mediated
by autonomic vascular
reflexes and the release of
nitric oxide; 2) activation
of central endogenous pain
inhibitory systems that
modulate nociceptive traffic at the spinal cord.
Based on a review of
228 basic research studies,
professor Bruce Pomeranz
offers this explanation of
acupuncture analgesic effects: acupuncture needles stimulate
small myelinated A-delta fibers and the type II-III muscle sensory afferents, triggering the release of different neuropeptides
and neurohormones such as beta-endorphine, ACTH, and others with the overall effect of general modulation of pain and the
regulation of several neuroendocrine and immune functions
in the central and peripheral nervous system (spinal cord,
supraspinal centers in the mid-brain, the hypothalamus, and the
pituitary gland).

In addition there are well-described potent anti-inflammatory
effect in response to neurofunctional acupuncture, as well as
regulatory effects on digestive function, cardiovascular system,
and other autonomic nervous system controlled functions.
The wide array of effects is due to the multilevel response—
local, spinal segmental, and supraspinal—induced by the stimulation of relevant neuroreactive sites to the problem (dermatomal, myotomal and sclerotomal sites). Most important
neuroreactive sites are: neurovascular bundles on the limbs,
sensory nerve trunks, muscle
bellies where muscle spindles
are, motor points, muscletendon junctions (Golgi tendon organs), teno-periosteal
attachments, and joint capsules and ligaments (with different mechanoreceptors).
Neurofunctional acupuncture is the ideal modality to
integrate with manual techniques such as massage therapy, as it combines sciencebased neuroanatomical and
neurofunctional approaches.
The
neurofunctional
approach is mechanismbased and consists on a simple three level modulation
model: peripheral nervous
system modulation, central
nervous system spinal and
supraspinal modulation, and
neurohumoral and neuroendocrine effects for systemic regulation.
Each level of modulation is accomplished using specific stimulation parameters, including location of the insertion and electrical frequency used. The full model provides a perfect platform
for the future evolution of massage therapy approaches to the
complex task of helping pain sufferers.
To learn more about neurofunctional acupuncture training
go to: acupuncturecourses.com or call Valerie at 905-521-2100
ext.75175.

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