TITLE:
New Insights on Stimulating the Lung Meridian Based on Modern Neurophysiology
AUTHORS:
Peter Chin Wan Fung, Regina Kit Chee Kong
KEYWORDS:
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lung Meridian, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Moxibustion, Spinothalamic, Anterior Corticospinal, Lateral Corticospinal and Bulbospinal Tracts, Respiratory Centers, Pre-Sympathetic Neurons, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Sleep Apnea
JOURNAL NAME:
Chinese Medicine,
Vol.9 No.3,
July
9,
2018
ABSTRACT: Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) caused
3.2 million deaths worldwide in 2015 [1]. Therapeutic
treatments, including acupuncture & herbal medicine have been applied to
handle this disease with certain efficacies in the domain of traditional
Chinese Medicine. However, very few analyses on the mechanisms behind the
efficacies can be found in literature. Without
understanding the basic mechanisms behind any medical treatment is the
bottle-neck to advancement of possibly effective therapy of any kind. Based on
this argument, we start off a series of studies on the neurophysiological
consequence of acupuncture/acupressure applied to the Lung Meridian. We explain
how the sensory signals (by sympathetic nerves) follow the spinothalamic tracts
to the thalamus and then to the primary sensory cortex. The neurons of these
ascending tracts synapse the motor neurons which activate some of the different
organs of the respiratory system—diaphragm, nose, larynx, scalene muscles,
trachea, lungs, intercostal and supporting abdominal muscles. The sensory
signals at the neo-cortex are then passed on to the motor neurons in the
primary motor cortex. The activated neurons project mainly along two descending
tracts: anterior and lateral corticospinal tracts. Neurons of these tracts
project to activate again some of the respiratory organs, plus the motors
neurons related to the digestive system, including the large intestine. On the
other hand, an intrinsic, automatic breathing system in the brainstem sends
rhythmic signals through the bulbospinal tract system, which contains a special
type of neurons—the pre-sympathetic neurons. These neurons, via interneuron
relay, synapse motor neurons which mobilize the organs of the respiratory
organs to function. Since the “Lung Meridian induced” signals and the intrinsic
signals are sent by different types of neurons, we propose that stimulating the
Lung Meridian might activate/supplement the action of the intrinsic system
during some pathological states. Though
the initial suggestion is supported by in
vitro/(in vivo) experiments in
detailed steps, clinical trials await future development.