Author(s)

Yiping Zhou Thelander^1*, Huijun Z. Ring², Guikang Wei¹, Yingqiu Wang¹, Yinghua He¹, Chenyang Bai¹, Haisheng Zhang¹

¹University of East-West Medicine, California, USA.
²Department of Medicine, Stanford University, California, USA.

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.

Acupuncture, Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms, Fibroblasts, Macrophages, Mast Cells, Stretching

Thelander, Y.P.Z., Ring, H.Z., Wei, G.K., Wang, Y.Q., He, Y.H., Bai, C.Y. and Zhang, H.S. (2024) Exploring Combined Immune Mechanisms of Acupuncture and Stretching—A Narrative Review. Health, 16, 1268-1288. doi: 10.4236/health.2024.1612088.