Traditional explanations of acupuncture focus on local stimulation and endpoint physiological changes, often emphasizing direct acupuncture point and organ relationships. However, such linear relationships overlook the complex neural and immune intermediates involved. With the rapid development of neuroscience and immunology, research on acupuncture control of somatosensory autonomic reflex mechanisms is undergoing a revolution. These discoveries change our perception of the long-standing separation between the nervous and immune systems and require an integrative framework that can explain systemic regulation. In this context, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how acupuncture activates somatosensory autonomic reflexes and modulates immune balance. Based on these challenges, deeper research on the neuroimmune mechanisms of acupuncture is needed.
Researchers from Fudan University and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences published a comprehensive review (DOI:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250346) in 2016. Acupuncture research This study systematically synthesizes recent experimental and translational evidence showing that acupuncture modulates immune function through defined neural circuits. By integrating neuroanatomy, immunology, and systems biology, the authors demonstrate how acupuncture point stimulation activates somatosensory neurons, autonomic pathways, and intestinal networks to achieve coordinated immune regulation across multiple organs.
This article shows that acupuncture begins with mechanical stimulation of acupuncture points, where force is converted into neural signals through mechanosensitive receptor and connective tissue interactions. These signals activate specific sensory neurons in the dorsal roots and trigeminal ganglia, which transmit information to the spinal cord and brainstem. Central integration, in turn, engages autonomic outputs such as the vagus, sympathetic, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathways, allowing precise temporal and spatial immune control.
At the local level, acupuncture rapidly remodels the immune microenvironment by inducing controlled neurogenic inflammation, increasing blood flow, and modulating interactions between sensory nerves, mast cells, fibroblasts, and immune mediators. Systemically, vagus nerve-dependent anti-inflammatory pathways suppress the release of excessive inflammatory factors, while sympathetic nerves dynamically modulate immune cell activity depending on disease stage. This study also focuses on the role of the enteric nervous system, showing how acupuncture strengthens the integrity of the intestinal barrier and modulates microbiota and neuropeptide interactions to influence systemic immunity.
Importantly, stimulation parameters such as intensity, frequency, and depth determine which neural circuits are involved, explaining the bidirectional and context-dependent effects of acupuncture. Taken together, these findings establish a structured “mechanical stimulus-neural coding-immune response” framework that translates traditional holistic concepts into modern neurobiological language.
The authors note that these findings reposition acupuncture within modern neurobiology. Rather than acting as a typical placebo or local intervention, acupuncture acts as a form of programmable neuromodulation that affects sensory and autonomic nerve pathways. By deciphering how different stimulation parameters activate specific neural circuits, acupuncture can be aligned with new bioelectronic medicine strategies. They stress that this mechanistic clarity provides a scientific basis for integrating acupuncture-inspired approaches into modern treatment paradigms for immune and inflammatory diseases.
Understanding acupuncture as a circuit-based neuroimmune intervention opens new translational possibilities. This finding supports the development of precision acupuncture protocols and bioelectronic devices. Such an approach may provide a non-pharmacological alternative for managing chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, pain, and gut-related diseases. More broadly, this research bridges traditional medicine and modern systems neuroscience, demonstrating how ancient therapeutic principles inform next-generation neuromodulation techniques. With multi-omics data and artificial intelligence integrated into this framework, acupuncture could help form personalized circuit-targeted therapies that not only suppress symptoms but also restore immune balance.
sauce:
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Reference magazines:
https://dx.doi.org/10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250346
