Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on chronic pain in human and animals were reviewed. Firstly, the role of sensitization of pheripheral and/or central nervous systems on the mechanisms of chronic pain was introduced based on the basic researches in experimental animals. Secondly, the effects of acupuncture on neuropathic pain and postoperative pain patients were reviewed and its possiblemechanisms were discussed. Finally, effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion on several kinds of chronic nociceptive pain (low back pain, neck pain, headache) was systematically reviewed based on the online database

There have been many studies of electro-acupuncture analgesia (EAA), but whether EAA develops mainly on the stimulated meridians or irrespective of these meridians has not yet been clarified. We evaluated the association between endogenous analgesia (plasma β-endorphin), and meridians in electro-acupuncture of the large intestine meridian of the hand-yangming LI4 (Hegu, Gokoku) point. LI4 electro-acupuncture resulted in EAA on the meridians associated with LI4, other meridians, and acupuncture points in the forehead glabella (Yintang, Indou), abdomen CV 12 (Chungwan, Chukan), and crus ST36 (Zsusanli, Ashi no Sanri) point. Simultaneously, LI4 electro-acupuncture significantly increased plasma β-endorphin level. These results suggest that analgesia observed after LI4 electroacupuncture is not associated with meridians, and is caused by the increases in the plasma β-endorphin level.

A patient with uterine cervical cancer underwent radical operation and radiotherapy in 1956 and subsequently began to suffer from impaired bowel movements. For the next 40 years, a large amount of cathartics was used to induce defecation, a urination was induced by applying abdominal pressure, but a large volume of urine remained. In this patient, the effects of acupuncture treatment were evaluated using the vesical residual urine volume as measured by abdominal ultrasonography. After acupuncture treatment, defecation became easily, and the amount of cathartics could be reduced. Simultaneously, spontaneous urination became possible, and residual urine disappeared.

An educational video describing the acupunctural stimulation of the pudendal nerve for treatment of urinary disturbances was produced. Treatment points on the meridian were selected within the limits of the top 1/2 to 3/5 of the line that connects the superior posterior iliac spine and the inner lower edge of the ischiatic tuberosity. Since the pudendal nerve is situated between the sacrospinous ligament in this region, it could be readily stimulated from the body surface. A 90mm (#24) acupuncture needle was used for the treatments. When the needle was inserted to a depth of 50-80mm from the body surface, the pudendal nerve was reached. Echo sensation in the penis indicated that the acupuncture needle had contacted the pudendal nerve.
Either the sparrow-pecking, needle-twisting, or the low frequency acupunctural techniques were used to delver stimulation to the pudendal nerve. In conclusion, acupunctural stimulation of the pudendal nerve was clinically useful for treatment of urinary disturbances, such as uncoordination of the detrusor muscles in neurogenic bladder and urinary incontinence.

Temporomandibular arthrosis, whose major symptoms are trismus, pain of the temporomandibular joint and articular noise, has recently been increasing, primarily in younger people. This condition is often accompanied by unexplained complaints (e. g., headache and stiffness of the neck and/or shoulder) which are indications for the application of acupuncture therapy. To deepen the recognition of temporomandibular arthrosis by clinicians, we recently prepared a video tape showing detailed procedures of acupuncture therapy for this disease. The first half of this video tape consists of an explanation of the anatomical features of the temporomandibular joint, the pathophysiology and classification of temporomandibular arthrosis, and magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joint. The latter half consists of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for this disease, including the acupoints often stimulated for its treatment and the techniques of acupuncture therapy.

In order to clarify whether the difference in the appearance rate of tenderness exist between the patients with abnormal neurological findings and the patients without them, the tenderness were examined in 81 patients with low back pain.
In the measurements, the pressure of 5-6kg/cm² was given on each points by fingertip. The compression were made in turn from proximal points to distal points. The appearance of the tenderness were significantly greater in the group with abnormal neurological findings than in the group without them (P<0.01-0.05). The marked tenderness appeared along the posterior branches of lumbar and sacral nerves and sciatic nerve.
It was suggested that the tenderness would be one of the important index reflecting well the condition of the disease.

In order to clarify the clinical significance of tenderness in the patients with low back pain, the tendernesses were measured on 32 points in 81 patients and 40 healthy volunteers.
The points which are well used in acupuncture and moxibustion treatments, were chosen as points for measurement, and are situated on the surface area in the low back and the lower limb.
In the measurements, the pressure of 5-6kg/cm² was given on each points by fingertip. The compression were made in turn from proximal points to distal points.
It was found that in the patients with low back pain, tendernesses appeared more significantly than in the healthy volunteers, and these points accorded with the tissues which were easy to accept the load in daily living and were along the nervetrunks. “Sharp tendernesses” appeared only in the patients.
It was suggested that tendernesses would be one of a consultation to know the condition of disease.

To study the efficacies of acupuncture (tapping technique) to the scalenus muscle (SC) used with acupuncture to the minor pectoralis muscle (MP) in patients with SC and MP syndromes, the plethysmograms (PTG) of the second finger during the Allen's and Wright's tests were measured with photo plethysmograph.
The neck was rotated 40 degrees to opposite direction, and then the acupuncture needle was inserted into the strained SC and tapping technque was perfomed.
As a result, this technique reduced markedly the decrease of PTG during two tests associated with improvements of symptoms such as dullnesses (numbness).
It was suggested thut this technique may releaf the muscle tension.