Results of a study by the University of Duisburg-Essen which shows the effectiveness of acupuncture, were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).It showed Acupuncture reduces activation in several brain areas involved in the perception and processing of pain. According to fMRI results, acupuncture affects the incoming pain signal to the brain. Acupuncture also sparks an analgesic type response in the brain.
Until now, the role of acupuncture in the perception and processing of pain has been controversial," said lead researcher Nina Theysohn, M.D., from the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology at 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." "Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture," Dr. Theysohn said.
Until now, the role of acupuncture in the perception and processing of pain has been controversial," said lead researcher Nina Theysohn, M.D., from the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology at 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." "Activation of brain areas involved in pain perception was significantly reduced or modulated under acupuncture," Dr. Theysohn said.