The Underlying Mechanism of Acupuncture on Enhancing Muscle Strength: A Review of Literature

Introduction: Methods to obtain an immediate and long-term increase in muscle strength and function are goals of rehabilitation practitioners, sports therapists, strength and condition coaches and athletes. There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of acupuncture for rehabilitation of muscle function following stroke and there is strong evidence to support the use of acupuncture to enhance muscle strength in healthy individuals [1]. Acupuncture has been shown to affect both acute and chronic improvement in muscle strength. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms by which acupuncture enhances muscle strength are still unclear and to our knowledge have never been fully investigated. The purpose of the current review is to critically appraise randomized control trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses to determine the underlying physiological mechanisms in which acupuncture enhances muscle strength in both animals and humans. This review will lay the foundation for clarifying the likely mechanisms of acupuncture in enhancing acute and chronic muscle strength. Thus, allowing clinicians and researchers involved in sports and/or exercise rehabilitation to justify their selection of acupuncture points.