The pharmacological mechanisms of electroacupuncture.

Acupuncture is a therapeutic procedure that has been practiced for thousands of years in South East Asia to treat a variety of pathological symptoms and conditions. In 1997, the NIH released a consensus statement concluding that acupuncture is effective or at least useful for the treatment of 13 conditions including nausea and vomiting induced by surgery or chemotherapy, dental pain, and lower back pain. Although the beneficial aspects of acupuncture have been widely accepted, the mechanisms by which acupuncture acts are only partially understood. This review highlights the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the neurological (sensory), cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects of electroacupuncture.