Acupoint sensitization is a new recognition in the recent years, indicating the enhanced responsiveness of the acupoint to diseases and regulation of visceral functions in the pathological state. Acupuncture analgesia or pain relieving has been verified to have very good efficacy both in basic and in clinic study. And the mechanism refers to afferents fibers activated by acupuncture, spinal gate control, brain stem descending regulation and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls, and various neurotransmitters. However, clinical trial is challenged by placebo or sham setting. And recent studies address the adenosine which takes an important role in acupuncture analgesia. Besides visceral pain, acupuncture modulates visceral functions as in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, via regulation of the autonomic nervous system homotopically or heterotopically. Single acupoint and acupoint combination are both used in clinic. Whether the effect of acupoint combination is better than single acupoint or how to select acupoints for combination are still in question. Acupuncture has both universal and specific effect based on stimulation intensity, and how to utilize it well and to the best under different conditions is worth thinking. We invite authors to submit original research and review articles on acupoint sensitization, acupuncture analgesia and anti-inflammation, and modulation of visceral functional disorders. Clinical studies as volunteer trials and clinical observation or RCT test on patients with related diseases are highly recommended.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Human and animal studies on:
  • Acupoints sensitization
  • Acupuncture analgesia and anti-inflammation
  • Acupuncture for visceral modulation in gastrointestinal or cardiovascular systems
  • Acupuncture for modulation of brain function
  • Acupoint combination in treatment of insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders
  • Universal and specific effect of acupuncture based on stimulation intensity