Pinpointing pain

For the first time, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) researchers have shown that acupuncture can process pain in a way that diminishes the experience of it and can even prevent pain from being perceived in the first place. The results of the study were announced at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

“Until now the role of acupuncture in the perception and processing pain has been controversial,” said lead researcher Nina Theysohn, MD University Hospital in Essen, Germany. “Functional MRI gives us the opportunity to directly observe areas of the brain that are activated during pain perception and see the variances that occur with acupuncture.”

Eighteen healthy volunteers underwent the fMRI while an electrical pain stimulus was applied to the ankle. Acupuncture needles were then placed at three points on the opposite side. Images were taken when pain was created both with and without the needles.

“Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture,” Dr. Theysohn revealed. Interestingly, not only did the acupuncture needle reduce activity in the pain centers of the brain, but also in the centers of the brain which anticipate pain similar to a placebo analgesic response.

“Acupuncture is suppose to act through at least two mechanisms -- nonspecific expectancy-based effects and specific modulation of the incoming pain signal,” Dr. Theysohn explained. “Our finding support that both these nonspecific and specific mechanisms exist, suggesting that acupuncture can help relieve pain.”

Source: RSNA, ScienceDaily