The inhibition effect and the mode of action of electro-acupuncture upon discharges from the pain-sensitive cells in spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Acupuncture, one of the important branches of Chinese traditional medicine, is unique in its capability of treating many kinds of diseases. Owing to its pain-relieving action, it has been much used for the treatment of pains since ancient times and is used recently for surgical operations, major or minor, to replace drug anaesthetization. As to the mechanism of its action, there is much to be learned and this is the problem that we are now tackling.