Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into Chronic Pain Care in Portugal: Neuroimmunological and Clinical Perspectives

Chronic pain affects 42% of the Portuguese population, with a high socioeconomic impact. Tra-ditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers promising therapies, such as acupuncture, electroacu-puncture, herbal medicine, mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Qigong), Tui Na massage, and moxibus-tion.
This literature review aims to critically analyse the neurophysiological mechanisms and scien-tific evidence of these interventions in pain control. It concludes that these therapies modulate key neuroimmunological pathways. Acupuncture activates endogenous analgesia (β-endorphins) and suppresses inflammation via TLR2/NF-κB. Phytotherapy blocks pain recep-tors and inhibits glial activation. Qigong, as a mind-body exercise, regulates the stress axis (cor-tisol). In addition, moxibustion improves circulation and reduces neuropathic pain. The integra-tion of these approaches offers an effective multidimensional strategy, supported by current ev-idence, although standardized, randomized clinical trials with large samples from different populations are still needed.