TITLE:
Exploring Combined Immune Mechanisms of Acupuncture and Stretching—A Narrative Review
AUTHORS:
Yiping Zhou Thelander, Huijun Z. Ring, Guikang Wei, Yingqiu Wang, Yinghua He, Chenyang Bai, Haisheng Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Acupuncture, Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms, Fibroblasts, Macrophages, Mast Cells, Stretching
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.16 No.12,
December
25,
2024
ABSTRACT: This narrative review explores the synergistic anti-inflammatory mechanisms of acupuncture and stretching. Acupuncture induces mechanical forces that activate neuro-immune pathways, modulating immune cell functions and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Through tissue tension, stretching promotes fibroblast activity and macrophage polarization, further amplifying anti-inflammatory responses. Together, these interventions strengthen macrophage activity, accelerate tissue repair, and improve treatment outcomes for chronic inflammation, sports injuries, and cancer recovery. This review consolidates experimental evidence to provide a theoretical basis for advancing research into fascial acupuncture and its clinical applications.