Potential Synergism between Hypnosis and AcupunctureÛIs the Whole More Than the Sum of Its Parts?

Potential Synergism between Hypnosis and AcupunctureÛIs the Whole More Than the Sum of Its Parts?
Received March 4, 2006; Accepted September 14, 2006.
Published online 2006 October 31
Elad Schiff,1,2 Steven Gurgevich,2 and Opher Caspi3
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM)
PubMed Central

Copyright © 2006 The Author(s).

1Bnai Zion Medical Center, Internal Medicine Division Haifa, Israel, 2University of Arizona, Program in Integrative Medicine Arizona, USA and 3The Recanati Center for Medicine and Research and the Section for Integrative Medicine, Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus) and the Tel-Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine Israel

Corresponding author.

For reprints and all correspondence: Elad Schiff, 69 Yakinton St., Haifa, Israel 34792. Tel: +972-545757733; Fax: +972-48265419; E-mail: eschiff@bezeqint.net

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/uk/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

AbstractBoth hypnosis and acupuncture have gained credibility over the years in their effectiveness for treating various health conditions. Currently, each of these treatments is administered in distinct settings and separate times. That is, even if patients receive both treatments as part of a multidimensional therapeutic program, they would typically receive them separately rather than simultaneously at the same session. This separation however might be undesirable since, at least theoretically, hypnosis and acupuncture could potentially augment each other if administered concomitantly. In this article we outline the rationale for this hypothesis and discuss the potential ramifications of its implementation.

Keywords: Acupuncture, hypnosis, synergism

AcupunctureÛTheory and PracticeAccording to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, certain points on the body are linked together in a network of channels called ÎmeridiansÌ (1). The meridians conduct Qi, a vital force that animates all living things. Qi is believed to regulate spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. TCM theory asserts that a smooth and adequate flow of Qi defines health and suggests that the various characteristics of Qi are determined by a complex set of interactions between external and internal factors (e.g. genetic predisposition, nutrition, physical and emotional influences) (2). TCM practitioners believe that acupuncture may facilitate normal flow of Qi, thus maintaining or restoring health to the body and mind. Various forms and styles of acupuncture are used to that end. In the most traditional form, fine needles are inserted into well-defined anatomic locations (acupoints). A typical acupuncture session includes an initial assessment according to which acupoints are selected and needled. Patients usually lie with needles in place for 20Ò30 min.

The mechanisms by which acupuncture elicits its effects are believed to be the result of three factors (3):

ÎSpecificÌ physiologicalÛeffects that are believed to be directly related to the needling of particular acupoints;
ÎNonspecificÌ physiologicalÛeffects that arise from the micro trauma resulting from piercing the skin, a procedure that has been shown to induce a variety of physiological responses involving the microcirculation, local immune function, and neurally mediated analgesia and
ÎNonspecificÌ psychologicalÛeffects that arise concomitantly with the treatment and emanate from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, treatment environment, patient expectations, practitioner intention, patient-provider rapport, and the natural history of the condition (4).

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