经络结构及其镇痛作用的机制

Meridian-collateral structure and the mechanism on analgesia

根据近年有关疼痛发生的"非神经元中心"理论,并结合针刺经穴镇痛的临床研究和经络结构研究的最新进展,提出针刺经穴镇痛作用的"经络机制"假说:针刺经穴的镇痛作用是通过对经络结构及功能的直接影响,改变了组织的酸化及炎性介质等对外周感觉神经元乃至中枢神经功能活动而起到镇痛作用。针刺经穴的镇痛作用主要是与经络结构运行气血、调节阴阳的作用直接相关,疼痛的"非神经元中心"机制为其提供了重要的神经生理学基础,而经络结构与神经系统间的相互作用可能仅只是其中的一个重要环节。

The hypothesis of ＂meridian-collateral mechanism＂ on analgesia with acupuncture at meridian points is proposed in this paper in light of the therapy of ＂non-neuronal center＂ relevant with pain discovered in recent years and in association with the latest progress of the clinical research on analgesia with acupuncture at meridian points and the research on meridian-collateral structure.It is believed that analgesia with acupuncture at meridian points results from the direct impacts on the meridian-collateral structure and function,which alters the activities of the peripheral sensory neuron,even with the central nerve involved,such as tissue acidification and inflammatory media.The analgesia with acupuncture at meridian points is correlated directly with the functions of meridian-collateral structure such as circulating qi and blood and regulating yin and yang.The mechanism of the ＂non-neuronal center＂ on pain provides the essential neurophysiologic foundation,in which the interaction between the meridian-collateral structure and the nerve system may be just one of the important links.