Strengthening the Immune System & Medical Acupuncture

What is the Immune System?

The immune system of a living organism is a system of organs and biological mechanisms responsible for its defense. It consists of many different organs and tissues. The most important of these are, the bone marrow and the thymus gland. In them, special immune cells are created and developed. Secondary organs are the tonsils, the spleen and the lymph nodes.

In many species, there are two main subsystems of the immune system: a) the innate immune system and b) the adaptive immune system. Both subsystems use chemical and cellular immunity to perform their function.

The Immune System and the Contemporary Man

The modern environment, as well as habits and lifestyle, have a direct impact on the Immune Systems functionality, which is responsible for defending the body in order to maintain our good health. Excessive workload, poor eating or overeating, poor sleep quality, stress and sadness can reduce the body’s immunity, leaving us defenseless on internal and external factors.  Each disease is usually created at a slow pace, an observation made first by Hippocrates.

Our body is daily attacked by bacteria, viruses and other germs, but it can remain healthy. In addition, certain drugs such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, as well as medication used in chemotherapy, although often necessary, when used for a long time, destroy the protection provided by the immune system.

Our body has a particularly complex barrier against foreign invaders, which consists of millions of cells of different types and functions, responsible for ensuring the body’s defenses, and maintaining the smooth function of a disease-free body.

These cells learn to memorize, recognize and destroy foreign microorganisms entering the human body. They are the most basic mechanism that keeps us alive.

This mechanism is based on the recognition of the different chemical or cellular molecules (hostile or friendly to our body), but also the corresponding attack which our body is able to carry out.

The main physiological factor that causes a limited ability of the immune system in adults, is aging.

This is due to many simultaneous pathophysiological disorders, while the main external factor that causes suppression of the immune system is smoking.

The Immune System is integrated into a complex network that interacts with the Central Nervous System and the Endocrine System. Unfortunately for us there is no specific drug that can enhance this defense mechanism.

Strengthening our defenses through Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a valuable ally for the protection of our body, as it restores and maintains the energy balance of cells, stimulating the circulation of the so-called WeiQi energy (our defense energy). Proper functioning of the body’s immune system is also vital for slowing down biological aging, and preventing certain diseases such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Important data has been gathered on the pathophysiological mechanism of Medical Acupuncture, which can directly or indirectly affect the immune system, activating the neuroendocrine axis for a better quality of life, for the patient.

The Immune System works in defense, homeostasis and monitoring, and Acupuncture enhances immune resistance.

More and more research reveals that Acupuncture can regulate immunity, for example, to enhance anticancer and immune function, and cause anti-inflammatory effects. This feature is the basis of Acupuncture, in the prevention and treatment of subsequent diseases.

See related articles: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540978/