Search
- Page Path
- HOME > Search
Review Articles
- Role of Acupuncture on the Brain-Gut-Joint Axis in Osteoarthritis
- Jae-Hwan Jang, Seok Hee Han, Yurim Song, Ju-Young Oh, Hi-Joon Park
- Perspect Integr Med. 2025;4(3):153-163. Published online October 22, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2025.10.004
- 832 View
- 21 Download
-
Graphical Abstract
Abstract
PDF
Supplementary Material 
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a predominantly degenerative disease with heterogeneous phenotypes, including subsets with low-grade inflammation. Emerging data suggest that the gut microbiota may contribute to OA biology. While noting that definitive, longitudinal links between acupuncture-induced microbiome modulation and joint outcomes are yet to be established clinically, acupuncture has been associated with symptomatic improvement of OA alongside immune and microbiome changes. Within a brain-gut-joint framework, preclinical, and mechanistic studies (N = 13) were assessed in this scoping review. The neuro-immune pathways, such as the vagal–adrenal/splenic, and sympatho–adrenal/splenic axes, when activated by acupuncture, can modulate gut microbial composition. These activated pathways likely involve the vagus nerve (a component of the parasympathetic nervous system) and the sympathetic nerves (which are connected to gastrointestinal-related organs, including the adrenal gland, spleen, and gut). Acupuncture may also activate the neuroendocrine system via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which regulates stress, thereby releasing hormones that contribute to anti-inflammatory effects. Acupuncture may support the treatment and management of OA via the brain-gut-joint axis. Given that acupuncture is associated with fewer side effects than conventional medications, it represents a promising therapeutic strategy for OA.
- Effects of Acupuncture on Cartilage Degradation and Joint Pain in Osteoarthritis
- Jae-Hwan Jang, Jaejin Han, Changsu Na, Hi-Joon Park
- Perspect Integr Med. 2024;3(3):134-141. Published online October 23, 2024
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.10.002
- 9,578 View
- 155 Download
- 2 Citations
-
Graphical Abstract
Abstract
PDF
- Osteoarthritis, resulting from joint decline, leads to various symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, tenderness, and local inflammation. These symptoms may be caused by the remodeling of the five structural phenotypes: inflammatory, subchondral bone, meniscal cartilage, atrophic, and hypertrophic phenotypes. Studies have shown that acupuncture can inhibit cartilage degradation by regulating extracellular matrix-degradation and enzyme synthesis. Notably, the efficacy of acupuncture treatment in osteoarthritis may be attributed to regulated inflammation and apoptosis of chondrocytes, as well as endogenous opioid production, and activation of the endocannabinoid systems (in the central and peripheral nervous systems), to contribute towards cartilage protection and joint pain relief. This review provides a current summary of the mechanisms of action of acupuncture in osteoarthritis, indicating that acupuncture, a therapy with fewer side effects than conventional medications, may be an effective treatment strategy for the management of osteoarthritis.
-
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Electroacupuncture at nerve innervation zones combined with exercise rehabilitation for early-stage knee osteoarthritis in older adults: A randomized controlled trial protocol
Huang Jin-Hao, Marwa Osama, Ge Si-Yuan, Hu Miao-Miao, Shi Tian-Hui, Dong Lu, Xu Guo-Hui
European Journal of Integrative Medicine.2026; 83: 102630. CrossRef - Effects of 650 nm laser acupuncture on cartilage, bone, and skeletal muscle in osteoarthritis
Seung-Ho Seo, Sang-Mi Kang, Yang-Hee You, Chang-Su Na
Bone Reports.2025; 26: 101864. CrossRef
- Electroacupuncture at nerve innervation zones combined with exercise rehabilitation for early-stage knee osteoarthritis in older adults: A randomized controlled trial protocol
First
Prev
