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Source: Acufinder
https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/5+Ways+Acupuncture+Creates+Lasting+New+Year’s+Resolutions
It is the beginning of a new year and, once again, a time to reflect on what changes we can make to improve our lives. If you are intent on improving your health this year, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be the very thing you need to “stick” to those resolutions.
Here’s how acupuncture can help you achieve your goals:
Resolution 1: Reach Target Weight and Stay There
Losing weight is the #1 most common New Year’s Resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings.
From an Oriental medicine perspective, the acupuncture points, foods and herbs that are chosen to assist with weight loss directly influence the Qi of the Spleen and Liver systems to treat the root imbalances that are causing the weight gain.
From a Western perspective, acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been shown to have an effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.
The beauty of acupuncture is that each treatment is catered to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body will be chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by themselves or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs.
Resolution 2: Stay Sharp
Your New Year’s resolution may be to learn a new language or take a class at your local college. However you choose to exercise your brain, acupuncture can help. Numerous studies suggest that acupuncture can help improve memory, mental clarity, concentration and cognitive function.
One recently published study (see below) shows how acupuncture can be used to treat memory impairment induced by diabetes and cerebral ischemia. Other studies have looked at how acupuncture affects the performance of students during an exam, post-menopausal “brain fog”, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. All results, thus far, have been positive.
Resolution 3: Relieve Pain Naturally
If pain is keeping you from living your life to the fullest, acupuncture can help. Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medications. Acupuncture has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it provides can last for months.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain shows dramatic decreases in activity in the pain centers of the brain – up to 70%.
In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.
Resolution 4: Quit Smoking
Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. In fact, researchers say that acupuncture is a promising treatment for all types of addiction from cigarettes to heroin.
In one study, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction. Results showed that 54.8% of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 23.5% and 9.1% in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.
The acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.
Resolution 5: Eliminate Stress
Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions and for a good reason. Stress is often the cause of illness and the deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure
In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.
Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance, consider coming in for a treatment to regain peace of mind and stay healthy.
December 30, 2015 by admin
Source: Health CMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1574-acupuncture-alleviates-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs
Acupuncture alleviates chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Research published in the Guangxi Medical Journal finds acupuncture effective for the relief of fatigue, depression, and other symptoms of CFS. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by severe fatigue that does not improve with rest. Additional signs and symptoms include memory loss, cognitive impairment, sore throat, lymph node swelling, musculoskeletal pain, and headaches. Etiologies may include viral infections, stress, and other factors. The clinical trial reveals that a special type of acupuncture has a high total effective rate and a significant total recovery rate for patients with CFS.
Conventional acupuncture was compared with Qihuan acupuncture. The total effective rate and total recovery rate were significant in both groups. Although both forms were effective, Qihuan acupuncture produced a higher percentage of positive patient outcomes as part of the total effective rate. Conventional acupuncture produced an 80.85% total effective rate and Qihuan acupuncture produced a 95.83% total effective rate.
Qihuan acupuncture produced a superior total recovery rate to conventional acupuncture. Of forty-eight patients receiving Qihuan acupuncture, a total of sixteen patients had a complete recovery. A total recovery was defined as a complete resolution of all symptoms and the patients were able to return to a normal social and work life. Of forty-seven patients receiving conventional acupuncture, ten had a total recovery. As a result of these findings, Qihuan acupuncture is regarded as an important method for the treatment of CFS.
Qihuan acupuncture involves several Chinese medicine principles. Qihuan acupuncture benefits the Zang-Fu organs. In addition, Qihuan acupuncture benefits qi, alleviates depression, restores the liver, promotes blood circulation, and relieves heat and toxins. According to Chinese medicine principles, CFS affects many Zang-Fu organs including the spleen, liver, and kidneys. As a result, the effectiveness of Qihuan acupuncture is well-suited for this type of treatment.
Qihuan acupuncture is the application of eight acupuncture needles in a 0.5 inch radius around the navel at 45 degree angles forming a complete circle. A different way to visualize the acupoint locations is at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock to CV8 (Shenque) plus the areas halfway between each clock designation for a total of eight directions. Needle depth maximum was set to 0.8 inches and needle retention time was thirty minutes per acupuncture session.
The filiform acupuncture needles used in the Qihuan and conventional acupuncture groups were 0.25 x 25 mm. Acupuncture was administered once every three days for a total of ten acupuncture treatments comprising once course of care. A three day break from care spaced courses of care from each other. Two courses of care (i.e. twenty acupuncture treatments) were administered.
The conventional acupuncture group received needling at the following acupoints:
Pishuu, BL20
Ganshu, BL18
Shenshu, BL23
Shanzhong, CV17
Zusanli, ST36
Guanyuan, CV4
Baihui, DU20
Supplementary acupuncture points were added based on differential diagnostics. For spleen qi deficiency, Taibai (SP3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were added. For insomnia, Shenmen (HT7) and Zhaohai (KD6) were added. For memory impairment, Yintang and Shuigou (DU26) were added. For liver qi stagnation, Taichong (LV3) and Neiguan (PC6) were added. Mild reinforcing and reducing acupuncture techniques were applied to the acupoints.
Qihuan acupuncture and conventional acupuncture achieved significant total effective rates. Qihuan acupuncture achieved optimal results with a 95.83% total effective rate. Notably, Qihuan acupuncture achieved superior patient outcomes for the total recovery rate. As a result, Qihuan acupuncture is recommended for patients with CFS.
References:
Li MK, Mo QL, He XF, Huang JJ, Zeng JR, Song N, Li J & Han HT. (2014). Effect of Acupuncture in Qi Huang Point of Chuang Medicine on Treatment of 48 Cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Guangxi Medical Journal. 36(12).
Yang JX. (1999). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Shanghai Journal of Disease Prevention. 11(10): 435-436.
December 30, 2015 by admin
Source: Health CMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1575-acupuncture-restores-the-sense-of-smell
Acupuncture alleviates impairment and dysfunction of the sense of smell, dysosmia. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted an acupuncture clinical trial of ten patients with dysosmia. Acupuncture achieved a total effective rate of 90%. Two patients completely recovered, three patients achieved excellent clinical improvements, four patients achieved significant clinical improvements, and one patient demonstrated no signs of improvement. The results indicate that acupuncture restores olfaction.
The acupuncture treatments were applied using a semi-protocolized acupuncture point prescription. The primary acupuncture points were applied to all patients and secondary acupuncture points were applied based on differential diagnostics. Patients were needled with 0.25 x 40 mm Hua Tuo brand acupuncture needles. Mild reinforcing and reducing manual acupuncture techniques were applied to elicit deqi. Manual acupuncture was applied twice per acupuncture session. Total needle retention time was thirty minutes per acupuncture session. Acupuncture was applied once per day for seven consecutive days followed by a one day break from treatments. This process was performed three times for a total of twenty-one acupuncture treatments.
The primary acupuncture points were:
Baihui, DU20
Shangxing, DU23
Yingxiang, LI20
Shanyingxiang
Tongtian, BL7
Fengchi, GB20
Hegu, LI4
Supplementary acupoints were chosen based on three differential diagnostic patterns. For blood stasis, Xuehai (SP10) was added. For liver deficiency with qi stagnation, Taichong (LV3) was added. For qi deficiency with poor blood circulation, Zusanli (ST36) was added. The total effective rate was 90%.
The Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine research is consistent with findings published in the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. The researchers found acupuncture effective for the treatment of dysosmia and anosmia. The acupuncture points used were:
Fengfu, DU16
Baihui, DU20
Yingxiang, LI20
Lieque, LU7
Taiyang, LU9
Zusanli, ST36
Taixi, KD3
Manual acupuncture techniques were applied to the needles. Total needle retention time was thirty minutes. This trial specifically tested for intractable dysosmia that is unresponsive to biomedical intervention. All patients in the study tried biomedical treatments, without improvement, prior to enrollment in the clinical trial.
Both clinical trials indicate that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of dysosmia. Scalp acupuncture and local acupuncture points were used in both trials. In addition, manual acupuncture techniques were applied in both trials and the needle retention time was thirty minutes. Given the consistent results, acupuncture is indicated for the treatment of dysosmia and further research is warranted.
Tanaka et al. tried something different in their investigation. The researchers tested the efficacy of auricular acupuncture on olfactory capabilities. The auricular lung acupoint was tested on twenty-three healthy volunteers in a single blinded controlled investigation. The researchers note that the lung point was chosen, in part, due to its innervation by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The scent of two odiferous substances (ß-Phenyl ethyl alcohol, methyl cyclopentenolone) were used to measure the modulation of olfactory thresholds by acupuncture. Acupuncture successfully downregulated olfactory recognition thresholds and increased olfactory sensitivity.
References:
Zhao H. (2014). Study in Clinical Effect of Sensory Dysosmia Patients in 10 Cases Treated With Acupuncture. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine. 29(8).
Julia Vent, MD, PhD, Djin-Wue Wang, MD, Michael Damm, MD; “Effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture in post-viral olfactory dysfunction,” Journal Otolaryngology, Head Neck Surgery, 4-1-2010, v. 142, 4-505-509.
Osamu Tanaka, Yoshito Mukaino, Am. J. Chin. Med. 27, 19 (1999). DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X99000045.
December 20, 2015 by admin
Source: Health CMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1573-acupuncture-alleviates-atherosclerosis-benefits-arteries
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for atherosclerosis. Researchers from the Qian’an Hospital of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) investigated the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of carotid artery related atherosclerosis. The study compared two types of acupuncture treatments with drug therapy. One acupuncture protocol produced significantly greater positive patient outcomes than drug therapy. Another acupuncture protocol produced equivalent results to drug therapy.
Drug therapy, involving the administration of 20 mg of simvastatin per day, was compared with standard acupuncture needle insertion and threading needling insertion.
Simvastatin, also known by the brand name Zocor, is a statin drug used to lower LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides while increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol levels. Uses of simvastatin include lowering the risk of stroke, heart attack, coronary heart disease, and other disorders of the heart. The group receiving simvastatin had a 36.76% total effective rate. Standard acupuncture produced a 40% total effective rate and threading acupuncture (Tou Xue) produced a 66.7% total effective rate.
Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup inside arteries that is composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, fibrin, and cellular waste. Threading acupuncture produced the best clinical results of the three study groups with the greatest reductions in carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). The IMT of extracranial carotid arteries is widely used as a measurable index of atherosclerosis.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture successfully regulates high and low shear blood viscosity. The viscosity of whole blood reflects the ability of blood to move freely through the vessels. It is a measure of blood flow resistance and includes both thickness and stickiness as parameters. High blood viscosity increases friction against vessels, impedes oxygen delivery, and increases demands on the heart to move blood. As a results, elevated blood viscosity is linked to cholesterol level disorders, hypertension, and many other cardiovascular disorders.
High shear rate blood viscosity occurs during systole, the normal contraction of the heart. The blood is moving faster when the heart is pumping and the blood is thinner. Low shear rate blood viscosity is during diastole, when the heart is at rest and dilated. The low shear rate viscosity is significantly greater than the high shear rate viscosity. Threading acupuncture significantly downregulated both high and low shear rate blood viscosity levels and outperformed simvastatin. In addition, threading acupuncture reduced plasma viscosity more than simvastatin. Overall, threading acupuncture produced the greatest improvements in the hemorheology index, a measure of blood flow properties.
Threading acupuncture produced the greatest reductions of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. The same applied for reductions of triglycerides. Overall, threading acupuncture produced the most significant improvements in blood lipid indices of the three groups.
The study involved ninety patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis that were randomly and equally divided into three groups: standard acupuncture, threading acupuncture, and statin drug therapy. All groups received antihypertensive drugs and had hepatic function panels monitored.
The threading acupuncture group received Tou Xue acupuncture from one acupoint to another. The point pairings were as follows:
GB19 (Naokong) to GB20 (Fengchi)
BL9 (Yuzhen) to BL10 (Tianzhu)
DU17 (Naohu) to DU16 (Fengfu)
GB20 (Fengchi) to GB20 (Fengchi), bilateral
After insertion, a mild rotation technique was applied. Total manual acupuncture stimulation time was three minutes. The needles were retained for thirty minutes per acupuncture session. Acupuncture was applied once per day.
The standard acupuncture group received needling at acupoints including:
PC6 (Neiguan)
DU26 (Shuigou)
SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
HT1 (Jiquan)
LU5 (Chize)
BL40 (Weizhong)
Mild reinforcing and reducing techniques were applied. Total needle retention time was thirty minutes per acupuncture session. Acupuncture was applied once per day.
These findings are consistent with a related study by Gao et al. The research was conducted at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The researchers note that results of the study demonstrate that acupuncture increases “blood perfusion of ischemic myocardium” for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). They added that SPECT “clearly display(s)” the “therapeutic effects of acupuncture on CHD, thus providing a new visible research method for CHD studies.”
The randomized study compared electroacupuncture results with nitroglycerine results and determined that electroacupuncture is effective. Nitroglycerine was chosen because it liberates nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator. Nitroglycerine widens blood vessels and improves blood flow to the heart. The researchers applied electroacupuncture bilaterally to PC6 (Neiguan) and BL15 (Xinshu). The acupuncture needles were retained for 30 minutes with electroacupuncture set between two to fifteen Hz at nine to eighteen mA.
The work of Xu et al. is consistent with the aforementioned investigations. Xu et al. conclude that acupuncture alleviates angina pectoris, heart pain. In a meta-analysis, acupuncture was found safe for use in patients taking nitroglycerine, isosorbide mononitrate, or propranolol. The data shows that acupuncture reduced the side effects of the medications while increasing the beneficial clinical results. The meta-analysis shows that acupuncture has a total effective rate for the treatment of angina in a range from 80% to 96.2%. The researchers add that acupoint P6 (Neiguan) “has a therapeutic effect on cardiac and chest ailments including angina pectoris.”
References:
Li YH, Huang HB, Wang WX & Yang LX. (2014). Observation of the head acupuncture through hole on the treatment of carotid artery atherosclerosis. Hebei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 36(8).
Gao, Z., S. Hu, Z. J. Wang, Q. Chen, and S. W. Jia. “[Treating coronary heart disease by acupuncture at neiguan (PC6) and xinahu (BL15): an efficacy assessment by SPECT].” Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi= Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine/Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he xue hui, Zhongguo Zhong yi yan jiu yuan zhu ban 33, no. 9 (2013): 1196-1198.
Xu, L., H. Xu, W. Gao, W. Wang, H. Zhang, and D. P. Lu. “Treating angina pectoris by acupuncture therapy.” Acupuncture & electro-therapeutics research 38, no. 1-2 (2012): 17-35.
December 20, 2015 by admin
Source: Medical News Today
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/304311.php
Study leader Angela Johnson, practitioner of Chinese medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL, and colleagues publish their findings in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies.
Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts at least 12 weeks. It is estimated that around 20-35% of children and teenagers across the globe have chronic pain.
Treating adults with chronic pain has its difficulties, but treating children with the condition is even more challenging; there is little evidence on effective drug therapies for chronic pain in children, and health professionals are often wary of providing certain treatments to youngsters because of their vulnerability during growth and the fear of possible long-term health implications.
“Effective treatment of pain can be particularly difficult because it’s subjective; but with children, it is increasingly difficult because a child may not be able to communicate effectively depending on the age and accurate recognition of pain,” adds Johnson.
As such, the search is on to identify safe and effective therapies for chronic pain in children, and with this latest study, Johnson and her team may have found one: acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a practice used in traditional Chinese medicine, which involves stimulating certain pressure points on the body, most commonly with the insertion of thin needles through the skin.
While acupuncture is considered an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults, there is little information on whether the procedure may be an effective form of pain relief for children.
“This study looked at the effect of acupuncture in children directly, rather than examining data collected from adults,” says Johnson. “This focus is especially important, since children experience pain in different ways than adults.”
Johnson and colleagues enrolled 55 children and adolescents aged 7-20 years to their study, all of whom had chronic pain conditions.
Each participant attended eight sessions in which they received an individually tailored acupuncture treatment, with each treatment lasting around 30 minutes.
Using the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT), participants rated their pain and nausea before and after each treatment. The APPT asks patients to disclose pain areas through a body outline diagram and describe pain intensity through circling words such as “no pain” and “worst possible pain.”
The researchers found that participants reported a significant reduction in pain throughout the entire eight sessions and from the beginning to end of each individual session, with greater pain reduction reported in the earlier sessions.
What is more, through the completion of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, the researchers found patients experienced improvements in overall health and reductions in social, emotional and educational problems.
According to the researchers, their findings suggest acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for children with chronic pain. Johnson adds:
“The results of this study suggest that acupuncture can have a profound positive impact on the health and well-being of children who experience the disabling effects of chronic pain.
Like any good doctors, we want to reduce children’s suffering, and we hope that this study will be a first step in our being able to do more for these kids.”
December 12, 2015 by admin
Source: Air Force Space Command
http://www.afspc.af.mil/news1/story.asp?id=123464703
12/4/2015 – PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The Air Force has always been innovative when creating new and better ways to accomplish the mission, and another new way they are paving the way is with an increasingly popular medical treatment known as “battlefield acupuncture,” a form of auricular acupuncture.
Acupuncture is one method of relieving pain, originally practiced by the Chinese, using needles inserted through the skin at specific points. Auricular acupuncture is a specific form of acupuncture that involves temporary needles placed at specific points in the ear for a variety of treatments.
Capt. Heather Mundy, medical director for the Peterson Family Health Clinic, said battlefield acupuncture was developed by a retired Air Force physician, Richard Niemtzow, at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. It is a five point treatment, on both ears, with areas that correlates to the brain structure having to do with pain.
“Over the years they’ve done a lot of studies using functional MRIs that correlate specific areas within the ear with areas in the body,” she said. “There’s an area that correlates to the lower extremities, the upper extremities, the face. There’s a whole body lay out on the ear.”
The process takes just a couple minutes and is performed by placing needles into the ear, which releases small, almost microscopic, barbs into the ear, Mundy said. The temporary needles appear as golden studs scattered throughout one or both ears, remaining for three to seven days to allow for continued treatment. The studs fall out on their own. These studs are considered a medical device, similar to sutures or staples, and meet military standards for dress and appearance.
Battlefield acupuncture’s quick and easy pain relief make it an ideal choice while deployed, Mundy said. If a service member develops acute or chronic pain, simply inserting a few needles into the ear allows them to return to duty faster without impairing their ability to complete the mission.
In addition to the quick results, Mundy said battlefield acupuncture can reduce dependence on addicting pain relievers.
Battlefield acupuncture is typically used for treating pain, however there are thousands of points on the ear that can be used for other treatments (such as allergies, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems and PTSD), Mundy said.
While the technique is gaining popularity, Mundy said it is still only offered on a limited case-by-case basis due to the extensive training required. Individuals interested in this new therapy should contact their primary care manager to determine if it would be helpful for their condition(s).
December 12, 2015 by admin
Source: The Herald News
http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/12/09/whats-the-point-of-acupuncture/at1kk15/
Addiction, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, infertility, asthma, dental pain, and more ailments are being treated with acupuncture, reports WebMD:
“Recent advances in technology have helped unlock the biological mysteries of this 2,000-year-old medical practice. Researchers are closer to understanding how an acupuncture needle can subtly adjust the body’s tissues, nerves, and hormones. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization have both given formal approval of certain uses of acupuncture.”
Doctors at Ostir Physical Medicine, based in Joliet, offer acupuncture to help patients suffering from lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
They explain, “Traditional Chinese acupuncture is based on the idea that energy flows through the body in 12 pathways, reaching every tissue in the body. Very thin, solid, sterile needles are inserted in the skin, and used to cause an effect on certain points along the pathways that correlate to certain ailments, or parts of the body. The acupuncture needles can stimulate, re-route, or release any built-up energy.
“Inserting needles into the acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain, to increase blood flow to the affected areas. These chemicals can either change the experience of pain, or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating systems.”
WebMD cites research that’s hailed as “the largest, longest, and most rigorous study of acupuncture” which confirmed that acupuncture “reduces pain and improves function and movement among patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.”
An NIH study focusing on carpal tunnel syndrome concludes that “short-term acupuncture treatment is as effective as short-term low-dose prednisone for mild to moderate cases.”
The NIH adds that acupuncture has advantages over other treatment options relying solely on pain-relieving drugs, which may have greater side effects.
December 6, 2015 by admin
Source: HealthCMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1562-acupuncture-relieves-shoulder-pain-ups-range-of-motion
Acupuncture relieves shoulder pain, inflammation, and range of motion impingement. Researchers from the Yuxi Hospital of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) investigated the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of acute shoulder periarthritis. Commonly known as frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, this condition is an inflammatory disorder of the rotator cuff and surrounding tissues that leads to pain and immobility of the shoulder. The investigation reveals that acupuncture has a total effective rate exceeding 90%.
One hundred shoulder periarthritis patients were randomly divided into two equal acupuncture groups. One group received a style of acupuncture known as the Hui approach. The second group received conventional acupuncture treatments. The Hui acupuncture group had a 96% total effective rate and the standard acupuncture group had a 94% total effective rate. The scores indicate that acupuncture effectively reduces shoulder pain and improves range of motion. Moreover, the Hui acupuncture approach to care shortened the total treatment time needed to resolve the condition over standard acupuncture therapy.
A key component of the Hui acupuncture style is the elicitation of deqi at the acupuncture points. Traditional functions of this style include relieving spasms, dredging the meridians, and expelling stasis. The Hui acupuncture style for periarthritis involved the application of GB34 (Yanglingquan, Yang Mound Spring) and Ashi acupoints. The treatment protocol begins with the patient in a seated or supine position and GB34 is needled with a rapid insertion technique on the affected side.
Perpendicular insertion with 0.3 x 40 mm acupuncture needles was used. Rotating and pulling manual acupuncture techniques were applied. During rotation of the needles, patients were advised to maximize shoulder movements including stretching, raising of the arms, reaching behind the back, and other movements on the affected side. Additional movements of the needle in the range of fifteen to forty-five degrees in all four directions to a depth up to one inch were made. The additional procedure repeated the process of rotating and pulling the needle during maximization of shoulder movements on the affected side.
The Ashi part of the Hui technique involved palpation to find sensitive areas at the rotator cuff region. Needles were inserted into the areas of sensitivity with a rapid technique using 0.3 x 40 mm acupuncture needles at a perpendicular angle. Rotating and pulling were applied during the initial insertion process. Next, the needles were pulled to a level just below the surface of the skin and patients were advised to slightly stretch the shoulder joint outwards, upwards, posteriorly, and medially.
The needles were then inserted at an angle of fifteen to forty-five degrees to a depth up to one inch in all four directions during pulling and rotating manual techniques. The procedure was repeated in all four directions. Total needle retention time was twenty minutes. Acupuncture was conducted once per day for seven days.
The conventional acupuncture group received acupuncture needles at the following acupoints on the affected side with mild reinforcing and reducing techniques:
Jianliao, SJ14 (Shoulder Crevice)
Jianqian, MUE48 (Front of Shoulder)
Naoyu, SI10 (Upper Arm Shu)
Waiguan, SJ5 (Outer Pass)
Hegu, LI4 (Joining Valley)
Total needle time was twenty minutes per acupuncture session. Acupuncture was applied once per day for seven days.
The total effective rate for both groups included everything from significant relief of pain and improvement of rotator cuff movements to complete resolution of the condition. The Hui group had greater positive patient outcomes but the conventional acupuncture group demonstrated a very high total effective rate. Coming in at 96% and 94% respectively, the Hui acupuncture and conventional acupuncture groups demonstrated significant total effective rates.
References:
Wang XY, Zhang YM, Jia YT, Wang H, Yue Q, Wu JK & Chen S. (2015). Treatment of 50 Patients with Acute Shoulder Periarthritis by Hui Acupuncture. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 31(4).
Ma Y. (2009). Yun Ling Shu · Analysis of Guan Acupuncture and Zui Technique. Journal of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 33(5): 404-407.
November 25, 2015 by admin
Source: Health CMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1554-acupuncture-relieves-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs
Acupuncture alleviates irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers from the Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine investigated the efficacy of electroacupuncture for the treatment of IBS. A comparison group in the clinical trial received oral administration of pinaverium bromide. The acupuncture treatment group demonstrated an 86.7% improvement rate. The drug group demonstrated a 50% improvement rate.
Sixty patients were randomized equally into two treatment groups. Group one received electroacupuncture and group two received pinaverium bromide. Electroacupuncture was applied to Huatoujiaji acupoints of the back at the level of T11, T12, and L1.
The researchers note that the acupuncture prescription was developed using a traditional approach to care. They note the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principle that Huatoujiaji acupoints are located between the du and bladder taiyang channels and have the ability to regulate both of these bordering channels and respective acupoints at specific spinous process levels. For example, the spleen back-shu point of the bladder taiyang channel is located lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of T11. Likewise, the stomach-shu point is located lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of T12. In addition, the sanjiao-shu point is located lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of L1.
All three bladder taiyang channel acupoints have traditional functions for regulating the digestive system. At the same spinous process levels, the Huatoujiaji acupoints share similar medicinal actions. The same applies for du channel acupoints. They too share similar actions to Huatoujiaji points at corresponding spinous process levels.
The acupuncture needles were inserted and manual acupuncture techniques were used to elicit deqi at each acupuncture point. The needles were 0.30 x 40 mm stainless steel filiform type and needle depth was 20 to 40 mm. Once deqi arrived, manual stimulation was applied for an additional two minutes followed by electroacupuncture of 60 Hz at patient tolerance levels for intensity. Needle retention time per each acupuncture session was thirty minutes. Acupuncture was applied once per day at a rate of five days per week for a total of three weeks.
The medication group received 50 mg of pinaverium bromide at a rate of three times per day for three weeks. Pinaverium bromide is a gastrointestinal calcium antagonist. As a spasmolytic agent, it relieves spasms of the smooth muscle of the bowels. This medication is used for the relief of IBS for purposes of controlling abdominal pain and other bowel disturbances. Ultimately, the data shows that electroacupuncture significantly outperformed pinaverium bromide.
Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM researchers had similar findings. Their meta-analysis of eleven trials with a sample size exceeding 950 patients demonstrates that acupuncture plus moxibustion relieves IBS. The study also revealed that acupuncture outperformed medications. The Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM researchers concluded, “Acupuncture-moxibustion for irritable bowel syndrome is better than the conventional western medication treatment.”
Chinese herbal medicine has also been shown effective for the treatment of IBS in modern research. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the findings of a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial noting that Chinese herbal medicine “offer(s) improvements in symptoms for some patients with IBS.” The study represents a joint effort by gastroenterologists and herbalists.
References:
Sun YZ & Song J. (2014). Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 34(9).
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012 Oct;32(10):957-60. [Meta analysis of acupuncture-moxibustion in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome]. Pei LX, Zhang XC, Sun JH, Geng H, Wu XL. Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Department, Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM, Nanjing, China.
JAMA. 1998 Nov 11;280(18):1585-9. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized controlled trial. Bensoussan A, Talley NJ, Hing M, Menzies R, Guo A, Ngu M. Research Unit for Complementary Medicine, University of Western Sydney Macarthur, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
November 20, 2015 by admin
Source: Sun Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/video/originals/sun-sentinel-shorts/sfl-komodo-dragon-gets-acupuncture-for-aching-back-20151113-story.html
Hannah the Komodo Dragon has been in pain. To relieve it, her doctors and keepers are taking an approach that has not yet been tried on an animal at the Palm Beach Zoo: acupuncture. Additionally, Hannah recently had a CT scan, commonly known as a cat scan, to try to better pinpoint the source of her pain. Neck pain has left her unable to eat at times and has her sidelined from the breeding program. Hannah is the first animal at the Palm Beach Zoo to have acupuncture treatment.
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