Acupuncture’s evidences: even slight stimuli could alter body functions, suggesting a “resetting” effect

Abstract

Once the acupuncture had mushroomed after the visit of former president Richard M. Nixon to China in 1972 1, 2）, quite a few researchers denied the effects, concluding with theatrical placebo 3-7）. We showed, however, the acupuncture’s evidences and propose a new interpretation of the mechanism, a “resetting” effect. Even slight stimuli, such as needle-patches, could affect our body function: heart rate variability (HRV) and pupillary light reflex. In addition, the treatments significantly reduced the variations observed before the treatment. As for the frequency domain analysis using FFT (fast Fourier transform), the total power of the frequency domain was reduced as compared with that of placebo case after the treatment. Base on the evidence presented here, the homeostasis could be awakened by the slight stimuli of the insertion of the needle and thereafter the subsequent relief of the stress could make the homeostasis more ffective, resulting in returning to the initial condition, so-called healthy status. This phenomenon looks like that computer systems become normal by pressing the resetting switch. The “resetting” effect of acupuncture is thought to be useful idea in elucidating the mechanism hereafter