Sepsis is a serious medical condition in which immune dysfunction plays a key role. Previous treatments focused on chemotherapy to control immune function; however, a recognized effective compound or treatment has yet to be developed. Recent advances indicate that a neuromodulation approach with nerve stimulation allows developing a therapeutic strategy to control inflammation and improve organ functions in sepsis. As a quick, non-invasive technique of peripheral nerve stimulation, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapy to provide significant advantages for immunomodulation in acute inflammation. Acupuncture obtains its regulatory effect by activating the somatic-autonomic-immune reflexes, including the somatic-sympathetic-splenic reflex, the somatic-sympathetic-adrenal reflex, the somatic-vagal-splenic reflex and the somatic-vagal-adrenal reflex, which produces a systemic effect. The peripheral nerve stimulation also induces local reflexes such as the somatic-sympathetic-lung-reflex, which then produces local effects. These mechanisms offer scientific guidance to design acupuncture protocols for immunomodulation and inflammation control, leading to an evidence-based comprehensive therapy recommendation.

脓毒症是一种严重的疾病，免疫功能障碍在其中起着关键作用。以前的治疗集中在化疗以控制免疫功能；然而，尚未开发出公认的有效化合物或治疗方法。最近的进展表明，神经刺激的神经调节方法允许开发一种治疗策略来控制炎症和改善脓毒症的器官功能。作为一种快速、无创的外周神经刺激技术，针灸已成为一种有前途的疗法，可为急性炎症的免疫调节提供显着优势。针灸通过激活躯体-自主-免疫反射，包括躯体-交感-脾反射、躯体-交感-肾上腺反射、躯体-迷走神经-脾反射和躯体-迷走神经-肾上腺反射，产生全身效应。周围神经刺激还会诱发局部反射，例如躯体-交感神经-肺反射，然后产生局部效应。这些机制为设计用于免疫调节和炎症控制的针灸方案提供了科学指导，从而形成了基于证据的综合治疗建议。