Chapter 28. Role of polymodal receptors in the acupuncture-mediated endogenous pain inhibitory systems

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the role of polymodal receptors in acupuncture-mediated endogenous pain inhibitory systems. It was an epoch-making finding that intracranial electrical stimulation periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) midbrain can produce a potent analgesic effect enabled surgical operation rats. The certain brain sites analgesia—a phenomenon later termed as “stimulation produced analgesia” (SPA)—and triggered numerous studies this field. When acupuncture needle is inserted into sensitized tissues, provoke stronger responses than those applied to normal tissues. Consequently activation by and moxibustion induce effects through opiate or non-opiate mediated Thus, existence tender/trigger points may provide major functional basis for understanding clinical significance both treatments.