5-HT	5-hydroxytryptamine
A1R	Adenosine A1 receptor
ADL	activities of daily life
ADP	adenosine diphosphate
AIDS	acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AMP	adenosine monophosphate
ATP	adenosine triphosphate
BCEC	Biologically Closed Electric Circuits
BMI	body mass index
cAMP	cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CGRP	calcitonin gene-related peptide
CLBP	chronic low back pain
CNLBP	chronic nociceptive low back pain
CNS	central nervous system
CO2	carbon dioxide
COPD	chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CSP	chronic spinal pain
CVDs	cardiovascular diseases
DALYs	disability-adjusted life years
dCF	deoxycoformycin
DRG	dorsal root ganglia
EA	electroacupuncture
ECG	electrocardiogram
EEG	electroencephalogram
EU	European Union
fMRI	functional magnetic resonance imaging
GBD	The Global Burden of Disease Study
GERAD	German Acupuncture Trials
GIDs	gastrointestinal disorders
G proteins	guanine nucleotide-binding proteins
GV	Governing Vessel
H+	protons
H2O	water
HIV	human immunodeficiency virus
HM	Heart meridian
LBP	lower back pain
MA	manual acupuncture
MFE	Medium-Frequency Electrotherapy
mTrPs	Myofascial Trigger Points
MUS	medically unexplained symptoms
NGF	nerve growth factor
NRS	numerical rating scale
NSAIDs	non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSCLBP	non-specific chronic low back pain
P2X3	P2X ligand-gated ion channel 3 receptor
PAP	prostatic acid phosphatase
PGI	patient global impression
PN	primo node
PPT	pressure pain threshold
PV	primo vessel
PVS	primo vascular system
RCTs	randomised control trials
ROM	range of motion
SQID	Superconducting Quantum Interference Device
TCM	Traditional Chinese Medicine
TENS	transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation
TRP	transient receptor potential
TRPA1	transient receptor potential ankyrin 1
TRPV1	transient receptor potential vanilloid 1
VAS	visual analogue scale
WHO	World Health Organisation
YLDs	years lived with disability