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Date sent: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 05:04:46 EST Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Acupuncture for PD? Maybe TENS? To: [log in to unmask] > Acupuncture does help some types of pain by blocking afferent > nerves, but it doesn't help PD. My latest hunch is that TENS > (Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulator) might prove to have some > value. It's the same principle that DBS works only its not implanted. > Interes That is not the current concept of the way that acupuncture works (at least in Western scientific thought). It is felt that acupuncture works by causing the release of endorphins in the brain (the acupuncture stimulates the brain), and that this is the mechanism for the pain relief which is documented with acupuncture. This has been supported by the fact that, in a patient who achieves pain relief with acupuncture, you can block this relief with the administration of Naloxone, an opiate and endorphin "blocker". Thus, the use of a TENS unit is felt to work via the same system; and, as such, it (theoretically) would not work in PD. I would be interested in good studies, however. Best, Bob Robert A. Fink, M. D. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA 510-849-2555 PLEASE NOTE: Because of the takeover of IBMNET by AT&T, my new e-mail address, effective immediately, is: <[log in to unmask]> The old <ibm.net> address will no longer function after March 1, 2001. PLEASE CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS BOOKS.