One of those was that he proved acupuncture can increase the pain threshold in most humans and animals, and induce an analgesic effect in patients with acute or chronic pain, and in animals.

He also concluded that one of the mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia is that acupuncture may increase the production and release of neurochemical substances such as opioid peptides and some neurotransmitters in the central nervous system that could lower sensitivity to pain. The nerve pathways activated by electro-acupuncture at different frequencies have been partly identified.

Han also invented an electronic medical device to improve the technique of electro-acupuncture by using self-stick electrodes placed on acupuncture points to replace needles so electrical stimulation can be delivered precisely and easily to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. The device was named Han’s acupoint nerve stimulator.

Han and his group have also made a significant contribution to the understanding of acupuncture mechanisms and to promoting the use of acupuncture around the world.

The award is given every two years to one or two winners, together with individual cash prizes of HK$500,000 ($64,450).

Han said he will donate his prize money to researchers who publish great articles in the Chinese Journal of Pain Medicine.