Toothpicks Match Needles for Acupuncture

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Under functional MRI, EEG and PET scans if the sensory signals do not travel through the later cingulate gyrus then chronic pain will not change.
Dr. Peterson
Science Update Writer
California Journal of Oriental Medicine

Dr. Peterson of CO 2:48PM April 03, 2011

Really Mark? It's all about stimulation? You claim that more stimulation is better than less yet this and hundreds of other studies show time and time again that THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE! sham acupuncture vs. "real" acupuncture produces the same results. Different placement, fake needles, and according to this article toothpicks all produce the same result. Not similar, the same. Using toothpicks does not produce similar results but the same result, that is to say acupuncture yet again is shown to be nothing more than a glorified placebo.

Steve of CA 1:24PM January 12, 2011

I had to laugh at how delusional you people are. Rubbing a toothpick on the skin works just as well as your acupuncture, with all its mythology and ceremony. It's just too hard to admit when you've been wrong that your going to push this farce out even further. So, instead, lets try and rationalize away all the incongruities. Next thing is you'll attest to the fact that you only have to look at the site to get a benefit, then that'll evolve into just thinking about it. And anyone calling themselves doctor and buying into these pre-scientific modalities, you should be ashamed.

Jesse of NY 7:00PM October 04, 2010

I am a licensed Acupuncturist in NYC for over 17 years. Acupuncture works by stimulating energetic zones. So toothpicks or finger pressure, its all about stimulation and there are many styles, like Master Tung's Acupuncture where needles for back pain would go into either upper or low extremities and no back area needles would be used at all.
Acupuncture works and in difficult cases needles provide a lot more stimulation and produce much better results.
Here is a link with a brief explanation on Master Tung's Acupuncture style.
http://www.newyorkacupuncturecenter.com/tung_acupuncture.html
Mark from Tree of Life Acupuncture in NYC.
http://www.newyorkacupuncturecenter.com/index.html

mark of NY 12:47PM September 16, 2010

This study seems credible, but do the results from this particular study correlate with those from similar studies? I mean, how often has it been repeated? Sounds good, though.

Bridget Ames of SD 2:49AM December 03, 2009

Well, manual stimulation of the acupuncture points (acupressure) is effective so why wouldn't toothpick stimulation of the points be effective as well? Either way, you're stimulating the appropriate point.
Also, there is no "standard acupuncture regimen" for back pain. Every case is unique and presents differently and is treated accordingly. I wonder what regimen they are referring to?

Nancy Hyton, L.Ac. of NC 10:06AM May 15, 2009

The use of toothpicks is similar to the use of pointed stone "needles" in ancient acupuncture. The use of objects that cannot penetrate the skin reduces the number of points that can be accessed but the method of treatment remains largely the same.
The result with toothpicks should really only be surprising if someone were unaware of the history of acupuncture, or similar treatment methods like moxibustion and tuina. Of course, the results can vary depending on the condition. For example, recently developed sciatica can take upwards of a dozen treatments to correct with acupuncture if a non-optimal set of points is used (for most people, one of the optimal points requires a long needle to reach). If the optimal points are used, then the condition can be corrected in 1-4 treatments. For comparison, a proficient tuina practitioner should require only 1 or 2 sessions for similar benefit for that particular condition. On a related note, if the person with sciatica has weak back ligaments, the acute symptoms will return unless the practitioner understands how to identify and correct that condition as well.

Lucien of CA 2:44PM May 14, 2009

You make the assumption that the scientists did the procedures themselves (opposite of the assumption that I made). I actually assumed that they had enlisted the aid of willing acupuncturists. Not enough detail is provided for either of those assumptions. I took your advice, and asked several competent acupuncturists, and they said that they disagree whole-heartedly with you comment. According to them, each therapy is targeted slightly differently to treat different concerns.

Thomas Smith of FL 2:23PM May 14, 2009

In my own study of acupuncture, I was taught that where you treat is more important than how you treat. I can see that toothpicks, if used on valid points would work. As a natural doctor with 20 years experience, I've found that the less invasive a treatment ( of any kind ) the better. Acupuncture is a small part of TCM (traditional chinese medicine) and we Americans have become fascinated with the esoteric and bored with the simple. Piercing the skin with a needle will not substitute for the basics of health. Chiropractic adjustments are effecting the meridians of the spine ( and probably the chakras too ), but acupuncture gets much more attention. Telling a patient to eat more fiber is boring but powerful medicine. Too often the mystery of the treatment ( whether a new surgical procedure or drug or ancient protecols from far away) will sway a patient's perception of the results. I never discount a patient's response, placebo or not.At the end of the day acupuncture is highly subjective and that's alright

Ezra Edgerton, DC/ ND of NC 2:42PM May 13, 2009

This study is not new. I have been reading these for years. As far as RCT’s are concerned this is actually a very good one given that it included a standard treatment branch as opposed to simply control and treatment. It is nice to see researchers getting out of their box. In the end however it is not possible to study such a dynamic animal as chronic pain and a holistic treatment approach that understands that the body and the mind are intimately connected. h
Anyone who reads or posts to this article should have an understanding of how incredibly complex chronic pain is. We are not just speaking about pain. We are speaking about living with pain, losing work, changing the dynamics of the household when someone cannot fully contribute, possibly loss of income, loss of sleep and stress; which all have a psychological component that triggers very real chemical responses in the body that prevent healing. Being one of my specialties I could go on but the real controversy seems to center on the placebo effect and sham acupuncture.
The answer is quite simple. The sham acupuncture was not sham at all. The toothpicks touched the skin. The skin contains 3 afferent sensory nerves that signal the CNS as well as modulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system specifically the vagus nerve.
The toothpicks stimulated the cutaneous nerves to send a signal to the spinal cord activating the spinal neurons that secrete enkephalin and dynorphin that inhibit pain messages. Then the signal continues up to the midbrain and pituitary that activates the raphe descending pain-inhibitions system which secretes monoamines, serotonin and norepinephrine that further inhibits pain through a couple different mechanisms that gets quite complicated. If you are interested see Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management.
Additionally, once the sensations from the toothpicks reached the spinal cord several nerve pathways are excited that reaches the cerebral cortex which releases numerous neurochemicals that not only inhibit pain but also promotes homeostasis. Homeostasis is incredibly important because as I said before we are not just talking about pain. This is a human being whose thoughts and emotions influence their body and whose body in distress can influence their mind.
There are too many valid articles and scientific research to speak any further on this. Any one who does not believe in acupuncture can look up studies done with fMRI in which sham and placebos do not exist.
Lastly the term acupuncturist is a misnomer. Acupuncturists practice traditional Chinese medicine which incorporates other modalities such as herbal formulas, massage, tui-na, diet, exercise, lifestyle counseling, tai-chi, qi-gong etc. It is a complete system of medicine that with proper communication with other alternative practitioners and open minded Md’s strives to help people find health and balance in their lives.
Christopher Salah, DAOM., L.Ac.

Christopher Salah, DAOM., L.Ac of CA 1:54PM May 13, 2009