Background: In one series of studies, we observed the effects of acupuncture treatment (AT) on the autonomic nerve system (ANS). We experimented from various view-points. At last, we discovered a specific pattern for modifying ANS status, which showed that functions of the parasympathetic nerve increased while those of the sympathetic nerve decreased. To further study systematic modification of ANS balance, we focused on the lower body (feet). Moreover, two kinds of stimuli, tapping and vibration, were applied while measuring the value of finger floor distance (FFD) and heart rate (HR). Finally, the effects on ANS were discussed. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study, and they were divided into two groups; the tapping group and the vibration group. The former received 50 taps on the feet, and the latter received vibrations for two minutes. In order to indicate ANS status the effects of these stimuli were evaluated by FFD values and a kinetic record of changes in HR. Results: Both groups showed improvement in FFD values, which was the same as the results for AT via modification of ANS. However, changes in HR showed a different pattern from AT; in this study sympathetic nerve) dominantly showed an increase without a decrease in parasympathetic nerve. Discussion and Conclusions: The reasons for differences in ANS modification may be found in the role, especially in an emergency, of the lower body. The lower body is heavy in skeletal muscles, which needs energy and blood to react during acute stress. The ANS, which controls blood distribution, may shift and concentrate system blood from the smooth muscles of the stomach (controlled by parasympathetic nerve) to the skeletal muscles of the legs and feet (controlled by sympathetic nerve). Thus, this study indicated that local stimuli of the foot induced systematic ANS modification.

Objective: We investigated the effects and the mechanism of the acupuncture. Methods: Nishijo/Mori and colleagues studied the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) with the instantaneous heart rate (IHR) as indicator. With the ANS blockers we also revealed the response of ANS when we insert needles to human body. For example, in our study of 1991, we conducted an experimental study on humans and elucidated that the physical stimulation promoted the resilience and the homeostasis of our body. Our recent study (2013) showed the physical stimulation (not acupuncture) on the lower thighs (mainly the bottom of the feet) also enhanced the above mentioned effects. Results and Discussion: 1.　The subjects sat on the chairs and they were given the acupuncture stimulation on their wrists (the skin and subcutaneous tissues) at the expiration. The stimulation for the duration of 15 consecutive breaths increased the function of the parasympathetic nerve (PN). At the same time that of the sympathetic nerve (SN) also enhanced. In short, firstly that of PN enhanced and secondly that of SN followed. Thus, it was observed that the physical stimulations promoted the resilience and the homeostasis of our body and we may regard that this is the first mechanisms. 2.　In our recent study (2013) the subjects sat on the chairs and there were given the stimulation (50 times of fist-strikes) on the sole of the feet. Immediately after the stimulation the result of Floor Finger Distance test （FFD) was improved. At the same time IHR, the indicator of the function of ANS, showed that those of SN (adrenaline β stimulus) and PN were simultaneously increased as soon as the stimulation started. The same result was obtained from the study of the body vibration (the SOUND healing). This process of 2013 was different from that of 1991, however, both of them provided the effect; the promotion of the resilience and the homeostasis of our body. Therefore, we could regard it as the second mechanism of the physical stimulations which promotes the resilience and the homeostasis of our body. Conclusion: In this way, there are two mechanisms of the physical stimulation in promoting the resilience and the homeostasis of our body.

 Acupuncture can be applied directly only on the body surface and thus can directly treat disorders of skeletal muscles near the surface of the body. However, acupuncture cannot be applied directly on internal parts and must be mediated by some kinds of body mechanism to treat internal diseases. Therefore, theories are needed to use the mechanisms of the body to treat internal diseases and disorders related to the autonomic nervous system. The author and his colleagues have organized the theories based on experimental and clinical studies performed over the years.
1. Basic vital reactions to physical stimuli and clinical vital reactions by body mechanisms
 Effective physical stimuli arouse vital reactions. The reactions are modified by the mechanisms of the body and arouse clinical reactions.
2. Mechanism of the body I: Postures and sympathetic nerves
 A change in posture from lying to standing causes changes of the autonomic nervous system, especially of the sympathetic nerve system. Nerve tension increases quickly upon standing, and the nerves relax when the body lies down. Sympathetic nerves can be stimulated by posture. Standing enhances their functions, and lying relaxes the nerves. Stimulating the autonomic nervous system by a physical stimulus weaker than the threshold value facilitates changing autonomic functions, and the reaction of the autonomic nervous system is determined by posture.
3. Mechanism of the body II: Rhythm of breathing and parasympathetic nerves and the healing power of living bodies
 The activity of parasympathetic nerves increases during expiration and decreases during inhalation, showing rhythmic changes. The functions of the autonomic nervous system can be enhanced by synchronizing the biological functions with the parasympathetic nerves, improving various distortions of the body.
4. Mechanism of the body III: Reaction mechanisms of sympathetic nerves to stimuli
1) Reaction of α receptor of sympathetic nerve
 Tissue of receiving stimulus: Skin
 Reaction: Exacerbation of the α receptor
2) Reaction of β receptor of sympathetic nerve (Mechanism 3:M3)
 Tissue of receiving stimulus: Skeletal muscle
 Method of applying stimulus: Application of acupuncture to a skeletal muscle to give low-frequency stimuli
 Reaction: Somatic and internal organ reflections via centrifugal routes of sympathetic nerves
3) Relaxing reactions of skeletal muscles and blood vessels (Mechanism 2: M2)
 Application of acupuncture to a skeletal muscle
 Reaction: Reactions of mostly axon refiexes

Patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) sometimes visit acupuncture practitioners for treatment. We can find descriptions of acupuncture procedures and methods for treating facial spasm in textbooks of clinical acupuncture. However, there is almost to literature that presents data on the actual responses of HFS patients to acupuncture. Therefore, we cannot judge satisfactorily whether acupuncture is suitable for treating of HFS at this time.
Six HFS patients (37 to 56 years old) who had not responded to conventional medical treatment were treated with electro-acupuncture therapy (EAT). EAT was applied to facial muscles for twenty minutes once or twice a week.EAT was continued until the patient dropped out or changed treatment. The period of treatment ranged from one month to one year. After a course of weekly treatments, ranging from one week to one month, the frequency and degree of spasms decreased in five of the six patients. No serious adverse events due to the treatments were observed.
It seems that EAT is safe and produces a gentle anticonvulsant effect. Therefore, it is conceivable that EAT could be applicable for HFS. Thus, if the treatment with microvascular decompression or botulinum toxin is contraindicated, EAT may possibly be an alternative.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of bathing in artificial CO₂ spa water (CO₂ 260ppm, at 38°C for 10 minutes) on the autonomic nervous system of man in comparison with those of bathing in plain water. The heart rate, coefficient of variation of R-R intervals of ECG (CV_RR), blood pressure, and pulse wave were measured, and dynamic autonomic nervous function tests as described by Nishijo et al. were performed on eight gealthy volunteers (female).
The results obtained showed that the heart rate and height of pulse wave increased and blood pressure decreased during bathing both in artificial CO₂ spa water and plain water. However, the systolic blood pressure increased after bathing in plain water but did not increase after bathing in artificial CO₂ spa water. Though CV_RR decreased during and after bathing in plain water, it did not decrease after bathing in artificial CO₂ spa water. Furthermore, the related degree of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous functions increased after bathing in artificial CO₂ spa water (as measured after 40 minutes and 50 minutes). These results suggest that bathing in artificial CO₂ spa water can enhance the functions of the autonomic nervous system.