Pekka J. Pöntinen, M.D, Ph.D, F.I.C.A.E., Tampere University, Tampere, Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland E-mail: pontinen@sci.fi

Traditionally acupuncture means stimulation of specific points on the surface of the body in order to produce mainly regulatory effects on the functions of the internal organs. The same points have been used to increase or decrease the functional state of different organs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the acupuncture points (AP) are connected by channels or meridians in and under the skin and have deep connections to the internal organs. The selection of the proper points has been as important as the correct type of stimulation, either reinforcement or sedation. In the traditional Chinese medicine the human model has been mainly energetic, physiological, not anatomical. The changes in the energy flow induced by the blocks in the channels or acceleration of the flow leading either to the deficit or excess of the vital energy, Chi, were believed to be the origin of diseases. The APs were the loci to balance the energy flow through needle stimulation. Modern acupuncture has a different nature. For the consensus conference arranged by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and held in Bethesda, Maryland in November 1997 the term acupuncture was defined as stimulation, primarily by the use of solid needles, of traditionally and clinically defined points on and beneath the skin, in an organized fashion for therapeutic and/or preventive purposes. Application of stimulus to the reactive points (by needle, heat, massage, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation/TENS, laser, etc.) according to TCM can influence the pathophysiological function of the affected organ-meridian systems.

In modern Chinese AP therapy, a combination of local tender points (AHSHI) and classical peripheral APs is common. Laseracupuncture (LAP) Today LAP provides a noninvasive and low risk alternative to needle stimulation. A combination of local reactive (tender) points or Ahshi points and active muscle TPs form a practical and effective basis for LAP in pain treatment. LAP can replace needles in the treatment of functional disorders and is then directed to classical APs. As a painless modality of acupuncture LAP is well accepted by children and other sensitive patients. LAP provides excellent possibilities for clinical studies on acupuncture. Recently Schlager and coworkers confirmed the efficacy of AP Neiguan (PC6) in the prevention of postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery. In another randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study low-intensity laser therapy effectively prevented the recurrence of Herpes simplex infection.

Our study groups at the Universities of Kuopio and Tampere have studied the analgetic effect of peripheral stimulation (needle acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical stimulation/TENS, massage, electric stimulation, low energy laser) applied on APs or TPs using pressure algometry . We have conducted a series of experiments using different wavelengths (633-904 nm) and both coherent and noncoherent irradiation. LEPT was given directly to TPs (1-2 J/TP) or local tender spots.

In blind, cross-over studies both HeNe- and IR-diode (904 nm) lasers elevated pressure pain threshold (PTH). In a follow-up study on 54 MPS patients LEPT (820 nm, 1-2 J/TP) PTH increased from 2.94+1.44 tp 6.56+0.96 kg/cm² (p<0.001) and MGF from 0.60+0.28 to 1.03+0.29 bar (p<0.05), whereas VAS decreased from 44.6+11.3 to 9.3+6.4 (p<0.001). In this and other series we have found that the effect is greater on the side where PTH and MGF values are initially lower. As in our earlier studies with low and high freguency TENS one sided HeNe-laser irradiation elevated PTH of the corresponding, contralateral nontreated TPs in addition to the response on the treated side. More recently the main emphasis has been turned to the central mechanisms and pathways. In a pilot study LED-light (880 nm, 1J/cm2) given to TPs in trapezius muscle (TE15) bilaterally and upon proc. spinosus of C7 (DU14) significantly altered regional cerebral blood flow e.g. in thalamus, caudate nucleus and prefrontal cortex.

In our experience less than 1 J/point or 100-200 J/cm² given in a contact mode is mainly ineffective in clinical practice when treating musculoskeletal disorders and myofascial pain through TPs. In many well controlled, blind and double-blind cross-over studies showing insignificant results the actual radiant exposure to the target site has been a mere fraction of the dose normally used in clinical practice. When treating APs of low resistance and high sensitivity the irradiation dose should be reduced to about 0.1-0.2 J/point (10 per cent of the normal dose [1-2 J/point] used at muscle TPs).

Laser Acupuncture

Abstracts of the ICMART Symposium, 14.-17. of June 2001, Berlin

Hyposensitization of Allegies with Laser Acupuncture

Becke, H. Walter Rathenaustr. 106,14974 Ludwigsfelde[b.Berlin, Germany

Fax: +49(0)-33 78-87 16 94

Allergies are becoming more frequent, complex - for example cross allergies and complicated.  As a rule the diagnosis is costly (for instants: prick test) and arduous.  Food allergies are mainly controlled by lgE, rarely by IgG.  Allergies which cause skin and mucuos membrane reactions are treated symptomatically with multitude antihistamines and/or cortisones.

The classical hyposensitization is not rarely unsuccessful, but is costly and tainted with side effects.  In the presented method diagnosis and cheek up are carried out kinesiologically.  The tested medium will be placed on the patient's navel. Than the 1. Meridian will be treated with laser beam at 10 Hz per dot for 12-15 seconds (tonicized) at its beginning and end points.

38 patients with various allergies have been treated successfully.  Four patients needed an additional interference field treatment through neuraltherapy.  Food and animal hair obtain the best and most impressive results.  The continual healing effect lasts for months and even years.  A repitition of the treatment produces the same effect.  Presentation of some typical examples.

Needle Acupuncture Versus Laserpuncture: Synergism or Opposition

Küblböck, J., Zeughausgasse 4a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

fax +43-51 2-5 82 29 03,

Needle acupuncture is well established as a classical method, whereas Low Level Laser is used as acupuncture treatment, too.  It is a known fact that different methods, which basically have the same result will always give rise to the question of which is better.  Both methods have influence on live tissue and the energetic system of meridians - the needle by the stimulus, which triggers a reaction in the body, and the Laser by light energy and photons. 

Needles and Laser, both have similar, but also different effects on body functions because of ist special influence on live tissue (harmonizes, neutralizes, tonifies and reduces) it is advisable to use Laser with patients who are either hyper-sensitive, have anticoagulants or very painful areas on the skin. 

Acupuncture triggers reactions in the body's nervous  system, the same does Laser light.  The possibility to use less needles by combining needling with Laser treatment could be employed very effectively and we can also prevent anxiousness of needles with patients. 

Needle acupuncture and laserpuncture will complete each other.  They are both able to be a useful combination depending on the situation. Each method can be used by itself, but  will never replace the other method completely.

Effects of Laser Acupuncture on the Visual Cerebral Cortex: A functional MRI Study

Schlager A.; Siedentopf, Golaszewski, S.; Felber' S.

Dept. of Magnetic Resonance, Radiology', University of Innsbruck,

Austria, Dept. of Anaesthesia', University of Innsbruck, Austria

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the laser acupuncture to the cerebral cortex and to compare our results with the results of a study of Cho et al.1998 with needle acupuncture on the same acupoint.  We studied the effect of laser acupuncture in 10 healthy male volunteers (age: 18-38). 

Therefore, we used the acupoint BL 67 and compared the laser acupuncture with a placebo acupuncture at the same point.  For placebo the laser was put on the skin with same tactile stimulus as verum, but laser was not switched on.  Subjects were not able to differentiate between verum and placebo acupuncture.  All experiments were performed on a 1,5 Tesla MR scanner.  For post-processing we used SPM99 software (Friston et al. 1995). 

A statistical parametric activation map was calculated for the whole subject group as well as single subject analysis was performed using a p value of 0.001 and a cluster size of 4. For comparison of result between verum and placebo we subtracted placebo group result from verum group result.  We found significant difference between the two groups in the Brodmann area 18, 19 and 37 of the left visual cortex with dominant activation focus within the BA 19 and 37 and in Pons.  We got similar activation pattern like Cho et al. 

Our results demonstrate that laser acupuncture elicits similar response within cerebral cortex like needle acupuncture and thus can give further evidence for the therapeutic potential of laser acupuncture.

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