 |
 |
Date sent: Thu, 18 May 2000 23:37:13 -0700 Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Charles E Murray <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: People Interested in Alternative Medicine To: [log in to unmask] > It is my understanding that our western medical science has no clear > understanding of why acupuncture relieves pain (only that this has > been clearly established). Until our science can unravel this > mystery, wouldn't it be more prudent to say that the western science > of medicine has not been able to validate claims that acupuncture has > a therapeutic effect in the treatment of illness? Chuck, "Western medical science" has developed at least a fairly strong hypothesis as to how acupuncture works. There are studies which show that if one takes patients who achieve good pain relief from acupuncture and then inject them with Naloxone, an opiate antagonist, the pain returns immediately. Thus, it is believed that acupuncture leads to pain relief by the stimulation of the release of the endogenous pain-relievers (endorphins) inside our brains. The above is not "gospel" yet, but it is a strong hypothesis. Best, Bob ********************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 WWW: http://www.dovecom.com/rafink/ mailto:[log in to unmask] "Ex Tristitia Virtus" *********************************************