Acupuncture Dependence：Clinical Characteristics，Formation Mechanisms，and Prevention and Treatment Strategies
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.12.006
- VernacularTitle:针灸依赖的临床特征、形成机制与防治策略
- Author:
Ruiqing DING
1
Author Information
1. Beijing Hospital/ National Center for Gerontology，Beijing，100730
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
acupuncture dependence;
neurobiology;
psychological dependence;
medical objectification
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(12):1272-1276
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Following repeated acupuncture treatments， some patients may develop a psychological dependence on the treatment behavior itself， referred to as "acupuncture dependence"， resulting from overactivation of the endogenous reward system and reinforcement of conditioned reflexes. This paper elucidates the clinical characteristics， neurobiological mechanisms， and psychological learning principles of this phenomenon， and differentiates it from somatic symptom disorder. The essence of acupuncture dependence is "treatment reward-driven overuse". Patients with personality disorders or somatization tendencies face a significantly higher risk of dependence due to deficits in emotion regulation. Clinical management should focus on three aspects including prevention， identification and intervention. Adopting tapering therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients restore rational medical-seeking behavior and avoid over-treatment.
