Stress: A closer look at acupoint ST36

Stomach 36
 In this study from Georgetown University, researchers administered electroacupuncture to acupuncture point St36 to the treatment group, sham acupuncture to another group, and no acupuncture to the control group prior to and following a stressor. They exposed all of the groups to fourteen days in a cold environment in order to induce a physiologic stress response. The sympathetic peptide, neuropeptide Y (NPY), elevated levels of which are found in those suffering from PTSD or other chronic stress conditions, and is hypothesized to contribute to the physiological stress response. No difference in NPY levels was found in the sham and control groups. The treatment group saw immediate and sustained suppression of NPY indicating that acupuncture to St36 may be an effective treatment and prevention of chronic stress. 
 Acupuncture at ST36 prevents chronic stress-induced increases in neuropeptide Y in rat. Eshkevari L, Egan R, Phillips D, Tilan J, Carney E, Azzam N, Amri H, Mulroney S. Experimental Biology and Medicine. In press. (2011).