The Role of Acupuncture on Immunity
Research has shown that acupuncture boosts immune function by promoting the release of white blood cells (1). White blood cells defend the body from disease and infection by ingesting foreign materials, cellular waste and by destroying infectious agents and cancerous cells. Natural killer cells are a type of WBC that plays a significant role in the body’s innate immunity. They are known for killing virally infected cells and for their ability to kill tumorous cells.
Acupuncture has been shown to activate natural killer cells therefore reinforcing innate immunity (2). Natural killer cell markers were significantly higher in a study measuring blood samples of people given acupuncture treatment compared to baseline (3). Considering the role Natural Killer cells play in fighting against viral infections, this study’s findings provide evidence of acupuncture’s positive impact on viral diseases.
Acupuncture also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is a natural response the body has to injury or invasion by a foreign pathogen. It is the body’s first line of defense, it allows the body to protect the area and for healing to occur. When you get a cut on your finger, the first inflammatory responses observable is a swelling of the area with redness and a warm sensation. These are all signals that the body is doing its job. Inflammation is vital to the body’s natural healing processes but prolonged or unnecessary inflammation can cause more damage to the body over time leading to inflammatory diseases such as RA, IBD, psoriasis, asthma and chronic pain.
Tumor necrosis factor is a protein secreted by your white blood cells that causes inflammation to help your body fight against foreign pathogens. In healthy people, the body deactivates excessive TNF in the blood to stop excess inflammation. This process does not work properly in people with autoimmune conditions which is why TNF levels are much higher in people with autoimmune conditions or immune systems that are in need of regulation (4). Acupuncture has been shown to downregulate tumor necrosis factor which can help relieve inflammation leading to an overall decrease in systemic inflammation (5).
Acupuncture’s role in stimulating white blood cells while decreasing inflammation can really help to fortify your immune system. Acupuncture induces the relaxation response which can help your body to heal itself overall modulating your immune system.
Dr. Justina Pham, DACM, LAc, Dipl. OM
Eissmann, P. Natural Killer Cells. British Society for Immunology. Retrieved from www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/cells/natural-killer-cells.
Sato T, Yu Y, Guo SY, Kasahara T, Hisamitsu T. Acupuncture stimulation enhances splenic natural killer cell cytotoxicity in rats. Jpn J Physiol. 1996;46(2):131‐136. doi:10.2170/jjphysiol.46.131
Yamaguchi, N., Takahashi, T., Sakuma, M., Sugita, T., Uchikawa, K., Sakaihara, S., Kanda, T., Arai, M., & Kawakita, K. (2007). Acupuncture regulates leukocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 4(4), 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nel107
Bradley JR. TNF-mediated inflammatory disease. J Pathol. 2008;214(2):149‐160. doi:10.1002/path.2287
Piech, E. (2017, February 3). Acupuncture Anti-inflammatory Marker Found. Retrieved from https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1714-acupuncture-anti-inflammatory-marker-found