Role of Acupuncture in Improving Immunity and Sleep : Dr Raman Kapur

Acupuncture has been proven scientifically by many studies to improve immunity against all types of viral and bacterial infections.

India

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New Delhi, July 10, 2020 :

Acupuncture is a complementary medical practice that entails stimulating certain points on the body, most often with a needle penetrating the skin, to alleviate pain or to help treat various health conditions. Acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific anatomic sites–commonly referred to as acupuncture points, or acupoints.

Dr Raman Kapur,“PADMA SHRI” Awardee

Mechanism of Acupuncture in modulating immunity:- Immunity is of 2 types ( Born innate and acquired immunity). Acupuncture works to improve our acquired immunity by:

• Reinforcement of natural killers cells (NK). NK cells play a vital role in killing virus infected cells by increasing levels of interon and β endorphins in the body.
• Modulation of TH1/TH2 cell responses:- is an important cause of immune diseases/infections. Acupuncture rebalances these cell responses by activating certain cytokines which helps to fight the disease. For Example:- In chronic asthma/allergic bronchitis, the TH₂  cell response is overactive, leading to high levels of IGE in the body.  Acupuncture helps restore the TH₁ and TH₂ balance to normal.
• Neural-Immune communication:- Acupuncture activates the hypothalamus, which causes release of β endorphins, which further act on opoid receptors present throughout the body. Activation of hypothalamus also regulates activity of Autonomic Nervous System.

Mechanism of Acupuncture in sleep disorders/stress due to fear of covid infection:-

1. insertion of Acupuncture needles activates peripheral nerves and muscles through sensory stimulation which further modulates the parasympathetic nervous system ( a major regulator of sleep)
2. Acupuncture regulates various neurotransmitter’s and hormonal factors like endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, ACTH and melatonin. ( All of which play a major role in sleep regulation).

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT:-

Most common scientific studies have been conducted using acupoints DU.20, P.6, ST.36 and SP.6.  Treatment with acupuncture to promote immunity is generally given thrice a week for about 4 weeks and then a maintenance treatment of once a week is sufficient.

Other adjuvant modalities:

1. Moxibustion, in which a herb ( Artemesia vulgaris) is made into a roll and burnt over an acupuncture point ST.36 ( 10 minutes each side). It can also be used a a self help device to improve immunity. This point is also known in Acupuncture as a point for treating 400 diseases.
2. Ear press needles at specific ear points can also be used to promote immunity and restore normal sleep patterns. Ear points used are shenmen, sympathetic, Lu, K and spleen points.
3. Catgut embedding therapy at a specific point on the anterior chest wall (REN 17) has also been used to improve respiratory capacity in patients with chronic asthma and COPD.
4. Electro Acupuncture(EA)- Electrodes are applied to certain acupuncture points in order to stimulate the body’s central nervous system ( specially the hypothalamus) to produce specific neurotrasmitters and opoids. These chemicals further enhance the patient’s immunity.
5. Cupping therapy:- Application of special cups ( Bamboo, plastic or glass) at certain target points, helps to relax the tense muscles and induce a sense of calmness in the body. This helps induce sleep.

Author : Dr Raman Kapur is the Head of the department of Acupunture, Ganga Ram Hospital, ND

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