Acupoint stimulation

"Acupoint stimulation" refers to the therapeutic activation of specific sites on the human body (acupoints) using techniques such as needle insertion (acupuncture), manual pressure (acupressure), electrical stimulation, heat, or laser.[1][3][4][7] These acupoints are believed in traditional Chinese medicine to influence the body's energy flow ('qi'), and in modern research, are associated with areas dense in nerve endings and connective tissue.[5] Scientific studies suggest that stimulation of these points can modulate neural, immune, and endocrine functions, mediated by activation of local nerves, endogenous opioid release, and various neurochemical pathways.[2][4][6][8] "Acupoint stimulation" is an **intervention/modality** and **not a single molecular or pharmacological target**. Key point: "Acupoint stimulation" is not a molecule/receptor/target that can be annotated in a molecular pharmacology database; it is a technique or medical approach. Entries related to proteins, receptors, or genes at acupoints (such as opioid receptors, TRPV1, purinergic receptors) would be the actual molecular targets if detailed mechanism-based annotation is required[4][6]. The term as written is too broad and does not conform to standard target entries.

Other names

Acupuncture stimulationAcupressureAcupoint activationAcupoint therapyAcupoint intervention