Presentation summary

1/ This presentation will review the various principles of needle manipulation according to TCM and explain their mechanisms of action from a scientific perspective and based on EBM literature.

– By reviewing the biochemical and biophysical properties of the acupuncture point, we will describe the optimal needle manipulation to obtain maximum information.

– By exploring the close correspondence between fascia and the acupuncture point, we will describe how to achieve optimal stimulation of mechanotransduction processes and the correlation between fascia and meridians.

– The recent demonstration of rich fascial innervation will help us understand the importance of puncturing the acupuncture point at the appropriate depth.

– All of these mechanisms of action allow us to understand the importance of correct puncture and the cellular reorganization around the acupuncture point that it induces for acupuncture analgesia.

– Finally, we will discuss the importance of eliciting Deqi during acupuncture point stimulation to adequately modulate brain mechanisms.

It will introduce the symposium, focusing on the various acupuncture point stimulation techniques.

2/ Premature ovarian failure affects approximately 1% of women under the age of 40. In the majority of cases, theetiology is idiopathic and patients experience significant anxiety following diagnosis.

Several studies haveshown that acupuncture can act not only on the regulation of reproductive hormones and the expression ofsome genes but also that it has an impact on stress and anxiety levels.

In addition, recent research hasdemonstrated the presence of a disrupted intestinal microbiota in patients with premature ovarian failure, which opens the way to a possible better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease. Two studies published in 2022 suggest that electroacupuncture could also influence the intestinal microbiota andpromote fertility.

We can therefore conclude that with the aim of integrative management of premature ovarian failure,acupuncture should be considered as a complement to conventional therapies because it meets the needs of patients, whether medical or in terms of well-being. It has the advantage of being a minimally invasive therapy focused on the innate response of the human body and which has no significant side effects.

In addition, with the advancement of research, the understanding of the effects of acupuncture and the evidence of its effectiveness in the field of infertility are only growing and expanding, which should strengthen our interest inthis alternative therapy.

Premature ovarian failure – Integrative medicine – Acupuncture – Innate response – Anxiety – Hormones –Intestinal microbiota.