In the present paper

the authors review recent development of research on the acupuncture treatment of experimental spinal cord injury from 1) therapeutic methods and acupoint selection; 2) effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the levels of some bioactive substances as endothelin

thromboxane A 2

nitric oxide

acetylcholine

nerve growth factor

neurotrophin-3

etc. in the micro-environment of the injured tissues; 3) effect of EA on the regeneration of nerves; 4) mechanism of EA in promoting the recovery of the injured spinal cord; and 5) prospect of acupuncture therapy for clinical application

and the existent problems of basic research. At the moment

EA therapy is often used as a remedy for spinal cord injury

and the most commonly used main acupoints are Jiaji (EX-B 2)

and Dazhui (GV 14)

Lingtai (GV 10)

etc. of the Governor Vessel.