Lewith G T, Kenyon J N
Soc Sci Med. 1984;19(12):1367-78. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(84)90026-1.
Many suggestions have been made about the possible mechanism of acupuncture as an analgesic therapy. This review provides a comprehensive account of the neurological, neurohumoral and psychologically-based hypotheses put forward. Although the exact mechanism of this treatment remains unclear, it is apparent that reproducible neurological and chemical changes occur in response to acupuncture, and that these changes almost certainly modify the response to, and perception, of pain. The mechanism of chronic pain is completely understood, but within this framework we understand acupuncture as completely as most other types of analgesic treatment.
关于针灸作为一种镇痛疗法的可能机制，人们已经提出了许多建议。本综述全面介绍了所提出的基于神经学、神经体液学和心理学的假说。尽管这种治疗的确切机制尚不清楚，但很明显，针刺会引起可重复的神经学和化学变化，而且这些变化几乎肯定会改变对疼痛的反应和感知。慢性疼痛的机制尚未完全明了，但在此框架内，我们对针灸的了解程度与大多数其他类型的镇痛治疗相当。
