Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation
Abstract As a traditional therapeutic approach, acupuncture benefits from modern biomechanics, which offers a unique perspective for understanding its mechanisms by investigating the mechanical properties of biological tissues and cells under force, deformation, and movement. This review summarizes...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BioMedical Engineering OnLine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01357-w |
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| author | Liang Yunshan Xu Chengli Zhang Peiming Quan Haocheng Liang Xudong Lu Liming |
| author_facet | Liang Yunshan Xu Chengli Zhang Peiming Quan Haocheng Liang Xudong Lu Liming |
| author_sort | Liang Yunshan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract As a traditional therapeutic approach, acupuncture benefits from modern biomechanics, which offers a unique perspective for understanding its mechanisms by investigating the mechanical properties of biological tissues and cells under force, deformation, and movement. This review summarizes recent advancements in the biomechanics of acupuncture, focusing on three main areas: the mechanical effects of acupuncture, the transmission mechanisms of mechanical signals, and the personalization and precision of acupuncture treatments. First, the review introduces the structural basis of the tissues involved in acupuncture; analyzes the mechanical responses of the skin, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues from needle insertion to point activation; and discusses how these responses impact acupuncture efficacy. Second, the phenomenon of mechanical coupling during acupuncture is discussed in detail, especially the role of connective tissues, including the wrapping and self-locking of collagen fibers, the remodeling of the cytoskeleton and the regulation of mitochondrial function triggered by acupuncture. Third, this article examines the mechanisms of mechanical signal transmission in acupuncture, explaining how mechanosensitive ion channels are activated during the procedure and subsequently initiate a cascade of biochemical responses. Finally, the review highlights the numerical simulation methods used in acupuncture, including the mechanical modeling of skin tissues, the exploration of the mechanical mechanisms of acupuncture, and visualization studies of the needling process. By integrating multidisciplinary research findings, this paper delves into the entire mechanical process of acupuncture, from skin penetration to point stimulation, and analyzes tissue responses to provide a solid theoretical foundation for the scientific study of acupuncture. In addition, directions for future research to further refine acupuncture techniques for clinical applications are proposed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9cc8c33935704fb6b989e8be2d26ef73 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1475-925X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BioMedical Engineering OnLine |
| spelling | doaj-art-9cc8c33935704fb6b989e8be2d26ef732025-08-20T02:59:54ZengBMCBioMedical Engineering OnLine1475-925X2025-03-0124112410.1186/s12938-025-01357-wIntegrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovationLiang Yunshan0Xu Chengli1Zhang Peiming2Quan Haocheng3Liang Xudong4Lu Liming5Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology(Shenzhen)Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineCollege of Engineering and Applied sciences, Nanjing UniversitySchool of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology(Shenzhen)Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineAbstract As a traditional therapeutic approach, acupuncture benefits from modern biomechanics, which offers a unique perspective for understanding its mechanisms by investigating the mechanical properties of biological tissues and cells under force, deformation, and movement. This review summarizes recent advancements in the biomechanics of acupuncture, focusing on three main areas: the mechanical effects of acupuncture, the transmission mechanisms of mechanical signals, and the personalization and precision of acupuncture treatments. First, the review introduces the structural basis of the tissues involved in acupuncture; analyzes the mechanical responses of the skin, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues from needle insertion to point activation; and discusses how these responses impact acupuncture efficacy. Second, the phenomenon of mechanical coupling during acupuncture is discussed in detail, especially the role of connective tissues, including the wrapping and self-locking of collagen fibers, the remodeling of the cytoskeleton and the regulation of mitochondrial function triggered by acupuncture. Third, this article examines the mechanisms of mechanical signal transmission in acupuncture, explaining how mechanosensitive ion channels are activated during the procedure and subsequently initiate a cascade of biochemical responses. Finally, the review highlights the numerical simulation methods used in acupuncture, including the mechanical modeling of skin tissues, the exploration of the mechanical mechanisms of acupuncture, and visualization studies of the needling process. By integrating multidisciplinary research findings, this paper delves into the entire mechanical process of acupuncture, from skin penetration to point stimulation, and analyzes tissue responses to provide a solid theoretical foundation for the scientific study of acupuncture. In addition, directions for future research to further refine acupuncture techniques for clinical applications are proposed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01357-wAcupunctureSkinMechanical signalingNumerical simulation |
| spellingShingle | Liang Yunshan Xu Chengli Zhang Peiming Quan Haocheng Liang Xudong Lu Liming Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation BioMedical Engineering OnLine Acupuncture Skin Mechanical signaling Numerical simulation |
| title | Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation |
| title_full | Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation |
| title_fullStr | Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation |
| title_short | Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation |
| title_sort | integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation |
| topic | Acupuncture Skin Mechanical signaling Numerical simulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01357-w |
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