A POSSIBLE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE AGAINST PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS *

Abstract

Acupuncture and Oriental meditation, particularly of Zen Buddhists have essential features in common. The physiological correlates of these features are discussed as they apply to therapy of psychosomatic disorders. Both acupuncture and meditation are characterized by alpha rhythms of the encephalograms, by relaxed wakefulness, by analgesia, by their pervasion of virtually the entire body. This set of correspondences is taken as sufficient to postulate that acupuncture induces a stillness with properties similar to those of the "quiet" of meditation. This induced deep relaxation may account for the vasolidation and increased vascular-capillary flow, intrinsic in acupuncture. Among the shared properties are the presence of low physiological noise-level and unresponsiveness to the aversive components of conditioned stimuli which ordinarily reactivate residues of affective trauma. The cessation of these disturbances has allowed existence of the stillness with its alpha rhythm. The original indifferent signal of the conditioned stimulus continues to elicit its response. Perceptions consistent with the above were reported by Zen Buddhist meditators. Because of the low noise-level of background, sensory signals appear more vivid than ordinarily, more intense, better resolved and more comprehensive in the information they communicate to the nervous system. The superior information enables the nervous system to regulate more precisely and to call upon hitherto unmobilized innate defenses to restore normal homeostasis. Imbalances originating in the psychosomatic disease are erased throughout the body. In consequence, the possibilities of acupuncture seem peculiarly suited for the therapy. This conclusion is reached from postulates subject to experimental test.