Therapeutic applications and potential mechanisms of acupuncture in migraine: A literature review and perspectives.

Acupuncture is commonly used as a treatment for migraines. Animal studies have suggested that acupuncture can decrease neuropeptides, immune cells, and proinflammatory and excitatory neurotransmitters, which are associated with the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation. In addition, acupuncture participates in the development of peripheral and central sensitization through modulation of the release of neuronal-sensitization-related mediators (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glutamate), endocannabinoid system, and serotonin system activation.

Fire Needling Acupuncture Suppresses Cartilage Damage by Mediating Macrophage Polarization in Mice with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Purpose: Macrophage polarization contributes to the mechanisms of treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In previous studies, fire needling acupuncture has been shown to affect KOA favorably. However, the mechanism of fire needling acupuncture on macrophage polarization is not well-defined.