Neurobiological mechanisms invoking the release of endogenous opioids and depression
of stress hormone release are believed to be the basis of acupuncture analgesia. This study
compared plasma β-endorphin and cortisol levels with self assessment scores of intensity of
pain, before and after 10 days of electro-acupuncture treatment in patients suffering from
chronic pain as a result of osteoarthritis knees. Forty patients of either sex over 40years with
primary osteoarthritis knee were recruited into a single-blinded, sham-controlled study. For …