How Acupuncture May Support Neurodegenerative Conditions

針灸如何作為神經退化性疾病的輔助治療

Patient education (supportive care). Not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.
病人教育（支持性照護）。不取代醫師診斷與治療。

Disease pathology: what is happening in the brain
疾病病理：大腦中正在發生什麼

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive loss of neurons, accompanied by abnormal protein folding, impaired protein clearance, chronic neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress.

神經退化性疾病的核心特徵，是神經元逐步流失，並伴隨錯誤摺疊蛋白累積、蛋白質清除系統失衡、慢性神經發炎與氧化壓力。

In conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, misfolded proteins are not efficiently removed by the ubiquitin–proteasome system or related clearance pathways, allowing toxic aggregates to form inside neurons.

在巴金森氏症與阿茲海默症中，錯誤摺疊蛋白無法被泛素—蛋白酶體系統與相關清除路徑有效移除，導致有毒蛋白聚集於神經元內。

These aggregates disrupt cellular transport, synaptic signaling, and mitochondrial function, eventually contributing to neuronal dysfunction and cell death.

這些蛋白聚集會干擾細胞內運輸、突觸訊號與粒線體功能，最終造成神經元功能障礙與細胞死亡。

What acupuncture can (and cannot) do
針灸能做什麼（以及不能做什麼）

Acupuncture does not directly remove abnormal proteins or reverse neurodegeneration.

針灸並不能直接清除異常蛋白，也無法逆轉神經退化。

Instead, it is used as supportive care to help regulate physiological stressors that may worsen symptoms and disease burden.

相對地，針灸屬於支持性照護，重點在於調節可能加重症狀與病程的生理壓力因子。

How acupuncture may support the nervous system environment
針灸可能如何支持神經系統的整體環境

Research commonly examines acupuncture in relation to autonomic nervous system regulation, inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress modulation, and cerebral blood flow.

研究多從自律神經調節、發炎訊號、氧化壓力調控與腦部血流等面向探討針灸的影響。

By improving systemic regulation rather than targeting a single molecule, acupuncture may indirectly support neuronal resilience and symptom stability.

針灸並非針對單一分子作用，而是透過改善整體生理調節，間接支持神經元的穩定性與症狀控制。

Clinical goals in supportive acupuncture care
針灸輔助治療的臨床目標

Common goals include supporting sleep quality, reducing pain and stiffness, improving stress tolerance, and maintaining daily function.

常見目標包含改善睡眠品質、減輕疼痛與僵硬、提升壓力耐受度，以及維持日常功能。

These outcomes focus on quality of life rather than disease cure.

這些介入重點在於生活品質支持，而非疾病治癒。