Since heat is associated with inflammation and infection in Chinese Medicine, I got to thinking about how infection might be affected by acupuncture. In particular, how it might be related to/affected by charge. I had previously realized that negative charge is associated with inflammation so I wondered if might be treated the same way. I quickly realized that infection often causes an inflammatory reaction but other than that they are quite different. But upon further thinking, I realized that infection could be treated with charge but different than inflammation. So, let me espouse my thinking on the subject.
I first realized that pathogens such as viruses have to attach themselves to the cell wall first. From there it occurred to me that I could affect that process with charge. By supplying electrons to the area they would attach themselves to the positively charged parts of the pathogen and the cell wall. Thus, making it harder for the pathogen to attach itself to the outside of the cell. Then, it occurred to me that when you stick a needle anywhere, you will naturally have structured water form on its surface since it is hydrophilic. In the process hydrogen ions are released in the surrounding extracellular fluid. They would then possibly be attracted to the negative charge on the cell and pathogen surface. Further impairing the pathogen from attaching to the cell. So, by putting needles around the site of infection, you should see a slowing or stopping of the spread of the infection. In addition, the negative charge of the structured water should attract the positive charge on the pathogen surface thus keeping it from attaching to a cell. Hopefully, none of this will affect the antibodies from doing their jobs.
When we treat acne with microneedling we are doing this type of treatment since we were taught to needle AROUND the pimple and not directly on it (which would spread the infection). Now we have mechanisms why this helps.But you will not get the effects of the structured water since when microneedling the needles do not stay in the tissues long enough.
Acupuncture usually will not cause infections if you use sterilized needles. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and do not cut a plug of whatever they go through due to their hole. When going through the skin an acupuncture needle is actually wiped of debris by the skin.