Abstract
Used in rheumatology for pain relief. Metallic needles are inserted into specific body points by rotation movement. Acupuncture should induce a balance between “yang” (spirit) and “yin” (blood) principles that run in 14 meridians comprising 361 acupuncture points. AC has been considered as a form of neuromodulation. Its effects have been explained by the gate theory of pain relief, and also by a presumption that the insertion of the needle acts as a noxa, inducing the production of endogenous opiate-like substances (opioids). The locations of acupuncture points often overlap myofascial trigger points and painful muscle points.
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© 2009 Springer-Verlag/Wien
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(2009). Acupuncture (AC). In: Rovenský, J., Payer, J. (eds) Dictionary of Rheumatology. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-79280-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-79280-3_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-68584-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-211-79280-3
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