Acupuncture and Hormone Balance
Chapter 3: Adrenal Gland and Cortisol
Acupuncture can optimize adrenal gland function
1. Anti-inflammatory
R.X. Zheng published a paper in the Journal of Alternative Complement Medicine regarding acupuncture's effect on adrenal gland function. Electroacupuncture at 10 Hz significantly reduced chemically induced hind paw edema in rats. The effect was partially blocked by adrenalectomy. Electroacupuncture significantly increased plasma levels of cortisol but caused no noticeable signs of stress. Electroacupuncture at 10 Hz may activate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and enhance adrenal gland function to produce more endogenous cortisol.
2. Balancing different hormones from the adrenal gland
Dr. H.S. Lee of the Republic of Korea did extensive research on the effects of acupuncture on water metabolism and high blood pressure. Applying manual acupuncture on UB15 (1.5 inches lateral to the midline of the spine at the T5 level) decreased plasma levels of aldosterone (a chemical stimulating the body to retain more water and sodium), whereas acupuncture on the UB23 (1.5 inches lateral to the midline of the spine at the L2 level) decreased plasma renin activity (a chemical simulating blood vessels to constrict in order to increase blood pressure). Both points helped lower blood pressure. These results suggest that acupuncture on specific meridian points may have site-specific regulatory effects on hormone levels and that the meridian points, UB23 and UB15, are associated with the regulation of body fluids and of electrolyte balance to optimize the blood pressure level...