Earticle

초록

영어

According to Rev. Sun Myung Moon, “The body should follow the mind as its center. When the mind and the body become one, a person's character and actions naturally align with heaven.” For many patients, their first encounter with meditation occurs unexpectedly during an acupuncture session. According to research, both meditation and acupuncture stimulate the body's regulatory systems, particularly the neuroendocrine and musculoskeletal systems to promote balance and healing. Together, they create a therapeutic experience that supports both mental and physical well-being. Meditation is often spontaneously induced during acupuncture treatments particularly once the needles are inserted and the patient is left to rest in a quiet, undisturbed environment for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. This naturally occurring meditative state enhances the therapeutic impact of acupuncture by activating neurophysiological mechanisms associated with mindfulness. Meditation has been shown to increase neuroplasticity, regulate key neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA to create a shift towards autonomic balance toward parasympathetic dominance. These changes promote emotional stability, downregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and foster greater coherence between the mind and body. Similarly, acupuncture modulates neurophysiology by stimulating afferent nerve fibers that transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain, activating regions involved in pain regulation, emotion, and autonomic control. This stimulation pro-motes the release of endogenous opioids, serotonin, dopamine, and GABA contributing to analgesia, mood stabilization, and parasympathetic activation. Additionally, acupuncture influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and often overlaps with dermatomes and myotomes, supporting both neurological and endocrine regulation. Acupuncture naturally relaxes the body, and in this restful state, the mind is often guided back to its center where the virtues of one’s character and actions can naturally relax into the healing process. This paper articulates the therapeutic integration between meditation and acupuncture and how it supports neuroendocrine and musculoskeletal health. By recognizing the meditative potential inher-ent in acupuncture sessions, practitioners can more intentionally support this process and empower patients to extend these benefits beyond the treatment room by encouraging the adoption of simple mindfulness-based practices at home to reinforce nervous system regulation, emotional clarity, and overall well-being.

목차

Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Acupuncture and Meditation
2.1. The Meditative State Induced by Acupuncture
2.2. Neuroendocrine and Musculoskeletal Effects of Meditation
2.3. Synergistic Mechanisms of Meditation and Acupuncture
3. Discussion
4. Conclusion
References

키워드

저자

• Tichelle Harris [ Wongu University of Oriental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV 89123, USA ]
• Sanghyun Lee [ Wongu University of Oriental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV 89123, USA ] Corresponding Author

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  선문효정학술연구회 학술대회 프로시딩

• 간기

  반년간

• 수록기간

  2023~2026

• 십진분류

  KDC 238 DDC 289