Prof., Dr. H. Heine – M.D.
Germany
Recent anatomic research has shown that therapeutic effects of acupuncture may well be explained scientifically:
Acupuncture points (APs) are characterized by a nerve-vessel bundle wrapped in a sheath of loose connective tissue (mesenchyme). 82% of all classical AP are circumscript perforations of the superficial body fascia piereced by a nerve-vessel bundle. In body areas not covered by this fascia (i.e. face, skull, fingers and toes) the principle of the mesenchym-covered nerve-vessel bundle can also be demonstrated for APs.
The spinal nerve of a nerve-vessel bundle contains among others substance P reactive axons which are able to antagonize the sympathetic nerve plexus in the adventitia of the wall of the arterie(s) and vein(s) of an AP bundle. Each change within in an AP can generate local axon reflexes which could spread along a meridian. Morphologically meridians are fascia – myo – tendinous kinetic chains. All events affecting such a chain are registered by corresponding APs causing a regulatory answer.
In case of pathophysiological events the APs involved react painfully (“triggerpoints”). Injections of homeopathic – antihomotoxic remedies into these points can have a remarkable effect restoring segmental-regulatory reflexes (“homeosiniatry”).