e dorsal horn of the spinal cord to reduce spinal facilitation,

or “wind-up”, and block pain, and/or 4) proceed to higher centers

in the brain, altering neural and hormonal functions. When these
impulses arrive at the brain, they influence activity there as well,
usually in a beneficial manner.
Exactly how the body responds and which parts of the body react
depend on the nerves stimulated.8 However, the body’s pre-needling state may also influence
outcomes.9,10 For example, the
point ST 36 treats both diarrhea and constipation, depending on
pre-treatment gastrointestinal motility status.11,12 In this way, the
same point can either “quiets things down” in cases of hyperfunction, or “fire them up” in
hypofunction.
Yin and Yang in the Modern Era
TCM terms such as “Yang Excess” and “Yin Deficiency” can
now be viewed as sympathetic hyperfunction or parasympathetic hypofunction.13,14 Disease
states that illustrate Yang Excess
The Tai Ji symbol illustrates the balanced, intertwining, and evolving
relationship between Yin (black) and Yang (white), with elements of the
complementary partner held by each component (represented by the
small circles).
Effects of Sympathetic System Effects of Parasympathetic System
Organ
(Yang) (Yin)
Adipocyte metabolism Causes lipolysis ---
Adipocyte, brown Causes heat production ---
Causes adrenaline/epinephrine (80%)
and
Adrenal medulla ---
noradrenaline/norepinephrine (20%)
secretion
Arteries in cranium Vasoconstricts May vasodilate
Arteries in erectile tissue (helical
arteries Vasoconstricts Vasodilates
and sinusoids in penis and clitoris)
Arteries in heart20 (coronary Transient vasoconstriction, followed
Some vasodilation
arteries) by vasodilation
Vasoconstricts (via adrenergic fibers)
under resting tone
Arteries in skeletal muscle and vasodilates large arteries (via
cholinergic fibers)
during exercise