The article has three parts: (a) a summary of some Chinese work on the effects of AP on the immune system; (b) a discussion of the influence of TianGui on immune function, in line with the Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) theory of acupuncture (AP); and (c) the results of AP treatment of four cases of SLE.
As proposed in the theory of TCM, TianGui seemed to activate the immune response. On applying TCM theory to four clinical cases of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), AP was seemed to be an effective therapy for this difficult condition.
This is a clinical study of a small number of cases. Because of its limited nature, it is not scientific proof of the efficacy of AP in SLE. However, it suggests that controlled studies of AP in SLE are desirable.
