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October 16, 2015 by admin
Source: Murfreesboro Post
http://www.murfreesboropost.com/locals-often-surprised-by-benefits-of-acupuncture-cms-43052
DR. MARK KESTNER
Published: October 14, 2015
Earlier this year I was treating a local medical physician with acupuncture for a shoulder, elbow and wrist problem she’d had for years. She had previously undergone surgery with only minimal improvement. After only a few treatments she remarked that she was amazed the pain was completely gone after years of hurting. She said she had no idea what to expect, but was very pleasantly surprised by her amazing response.
Learning, using and now teaching acupuncture has been a remarkable experience. When I first began my earliest research into acupuncture more than 40 years ago, most people had no idea what was involved. If they had ever heard of it they only knew it was something associated with China and involved sticking needles into people.
Today, although most people have heard of acupuncture, unfortunately most people’s knowledge of the treatment remains about the same as it was 40 years ago.
Although the actual knowledge of this intriguing form of treatment is sparse, I have been amazed to watch more people opening up to the option of acupuncture.
In the past few months I have treated surgeons, emergency physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, nurses, lawyers, ministers, administrative assistants, school teachers, bankers, mechanics, surveyors, restaurateurs, home makers, retirees, athletes, musicians and practically every other vocational group imaginable.
It seems that people are much more open to trying the treatment than I would have expected forty years ago.
New patients often ask the same questions: Does it hurt? Does it work? How does it work?
No, our acupuncture doesn’t hurt. Although some patients may occasionally feel a tiny sensation like a mosquito bite at first, most patients literally do not feel the needle insertions at all. The needles are so fine and I have developed an insertion skill that makes the process virtually painless. I say “our acupuncture” doesn’t hurt because there are some techniques used by some practitioners that are somewhat uncomfortable. We use the painless approach exclusively.
Yes, acupuncture works. It actually works for a surprisingly wide range of conditions. Obviously there are exceptions. It doesn’t help every imaginable condition. For conditions where it usually does work, there are individuals for whom it will not be helpful. But our experience has been excellent for a wide range of painful conditions, as well as other conditions such as allergies, neuralgia, anxiety, hormonal and neurological conditions. I can’t list all the possible conditions here but it is surprising.
Research into how acupuncture works has revealed many surprises.
Years ago, the researchers went into the lab thinking they were trying to find a single mechanism of action (MOA) of acupuncture. Now it is widely recognized that acupuncture has a profoundly varied set of effects on human neurological and physiological processes. The question of how acupuncture works has become substantially more complex.
Acupuncture is known to have an astonishingly wide range of effects on a very divergent group of tissues in the body.
Immediately in the area of the needle insertions, the treatment affects the local tissue inflammation response. In my own office, I have seen skin and muscle injuries that have been resistant to normal healing respond almost immediately.
One patient who had a chronically inflamed, indented lesion that had been present on her leg for months returned to normal within weeks. She had tried several doctors, treatments and medical approaches with no benefit. It appears that acupuncture initiated a renewed healing response, as if the treatment had reset the healing cascade in the same way restarting a computer often restores normal operation.
In other cases, patients with abnormal amounts of pain have found that acupuncture seems to somehow restore normal pain thresholds. For these patients, things an average person would not sense as painful caused very disturbing levels of pain. After a series of acupuncture treatments these patients saw their sensitivity to pain return to normal.
For some patients, acupuncture has been successful in restoring normal hormone or digestive function. Patients with hot flashes, poor digestion and other issues have responded very well.
All these varied conditions would seem to require uniquely different mechanisms of action. Yet one common denominator often seen is dysfunction of the area of the central neurological system known as the midbrain. It has been demonstrated by modern MRI imaging that acupuncture actively modulates the function of the midbrain. Perhaps this is the key to the success of acupuncture in such a wide array of conditions.
October 16, 2015 by admin
Source: The Cheat Sheet
http://www.cheatsheet.com/health-fitness/6-reasons-why-acupuncture-may-be-just-what-you-need.html/?a=viewall
You’re stressed. You’re tired. You’re sore. The answer to these ailments might be simpler than you think. It turns out that acupuncture, which has long been used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of issues, can help treat these common afflictions and many more. Race day injuries, seasonal allergies, and fatigue are just some of the things that could be improved by turning to the ancient practice.
“Traditional Chinese Medicine can balance and restore health particularly with acupuncture, which works to help reinstate balance physically, mentally, and spiritually by holistically addressing the root causes of dysfunction,” Jenise Parris, licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and founder of Beauty Water, explains.
The thought of being covered in needles may seem daunting, but they actually cause almost no pain. The needles are sterile, made of stainless steel, and are very delicate (they’re the diameter of a hair); most people feel sensations of heat and tingling, but not pain.
While you’re not going to cure years of built-up tension in a single session, even acute conditions should see benefits after a few treatments. That being said, patients are evaluated on an individual basis and the course of treatment is based on their personal constitution and needs. Expect your initial visit to include questions about your diet, skin, hair, sleep patterns, and general lifestyle habits.
To find out more, we asked Parris to highlight some issues we can realistically expect to alleviate with acupuncture sessions.
1. Workout recovery
Did you know that acupuncture treatments could help you recover faster from sprains, strains, and muscle soreness? Treatment can help reduce swelling, bruising, pain, and inflammation. The body heals faster with increased circulation while improving muscular function with acupuncture and tui na, medical Chinese massage.
2. Sexual performance
Chinese medicine can improve sexual function and reproductive health by increasing blood flow and regulating the endocrine system. Men benefit from treatment and can see an improvement in erections, sperm count, and morphology. Prostrate health can be restored with a reduction in swelling and inflammation.
3. Sleep
Clinical research shows that acupuncture, improved sleep hygiene, and herbs can improve quality and quantity of sleep. Acupuncture can reduce stress hormones and increase serotonin and GABA, the feel-good neurotransmitters that help restore restful sleep patterns.
4. Stomach problems
Acupuncture can improve digestion and elimination by regulating gut motility and absorption. Treatments can reduce gas, bloating, and irregular bowels. When the digestion system is functioning well, optional weight is more easily attained.
5. Stress management
Balance and regulate your nervous system with acupuncture. Living on “high alert” can lead to major health implications. Many men feel more relaxed during and after acupuncture treatment, which can help in restoring a sense of calm and well-being.
6. Allergies
Turns out inserting acupuncture needles around the nose and sinuses can help stop sneezing and relieve congestion. There are also points on the feet that can soothe red, itchy eyes and other points to calm down an overactive immune system. If you’re prone to get allergies at a certain time of year, it’s best to start the treatment before that time to treat the root of the allergies before they manifest.
Source: Health CMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1534-acupuncture-alleviates-knee-pain-due-to-arthritis
Acupuncture relieves pain, stiffness, and improves knee function for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers from the Chengdu University of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) investigated the efficacy of acupuncture and Tui Na massage for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Two groups were compared. Group 1 received only acupuncture and group 2 received a combination of acupuncture and Tui Na massage. Both groups yielded significant positive patient outcomes. The group that received the combined acupuncture and Tui Na care outperformed the acupuncture standalone care group.
Knee osteoarthritis is known by the vernacular ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. It involves physical damage to protective tissues and can lead to joint deformities. Symptoms include pain and range of motion impairment. Biomedical treatments include drugs and surgery.
Chengdu University of TCM researchers randomized 96 patients with knee osteoarthritis into two groups of 48 patients each. In the acupuncture only group, 11 patients had greater than an 80% recovery. In the acupuncture combined with Tui Na group, 21 patients had greater than an 80% recovery. The 80% recovery rate was based on WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) scores of pain, stiffness, and functional improvements. Additional patients in each group demonstrated significant clinical improvements, also based on WOMAC scores. As a result of the findings, the researchers conclude that acupuncture combined with Tui Na is highly effective for the resolution of knee pain and stiffness. In addition, the combined therapy is effective in the restoration of knee functionality.
The acupuncture group and the acupuncture combined with Tui Na group received acupuncture treatments at a rate of five times per week for four continuous weeks for a grand total of twenty acupuncture treatments. The primary acupuncture points included: Acupoint ST36, Zusanli, located near the tibia.
Xi Yan (extra points)
Heding (extra point)
SP10 (Xuehai)
ST34 (Liangqiu)
GB34 (Yanglingquan)
SP9 (Yinlingquan)
ST36 (Zusanli)
Patients rested in a supine position, the acupoints were disinfected, and 0.30 x 30 mm sterile filiform needles were applied. Mild reinforcing and reducing manual acupuncture techniques were performed. In addition, a TDP heat lamp was used to warm the acupoints. Needle retention time was thirty minutes.
Tui Na was conducted after each acupuncture treatment session. Tui Na was applied to the quadriceps and patellar region. Additional Tui Na stimulation was applied to acupoints including:
Xi Yan (extra points)
Heding (extra point)
SP10 (Xuehai)
ST34 (Liangqiu)
GB34 (Yanglingquan)
SP9 (Yinlingquan)
ST36 (Zusanli)
LV7 (Xiguan)
LV8 (Ququan)
LV5 (Ligou)
K3 (Taixi)
LV3 (Taichong)
BL40 (Weizhong)
The results demonstrate that the combination of Tui Na massage with acupuncture is more effective than using acupuncture as a standalone therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. In a similar finding, researchers from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine used a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The researchers conclude that acupuncture plus herbal medicine is safe and effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The researchers document significant reductions in knee pain plus knee functional improvements.
Cao et al. from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital had similar findings in a meta-analysis of fourteen randomized controlled trials involving 3,835 patients. Cao et al. concluded, “Acupuncture provided significantly better relief from knee osteoarthritis pain and a larger improvement in function than sham acupuncture, standard care treatment, or waiting for further treatment.” The study notes that acupuncture for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is “better at relieving pain and restoring function” than both standard biomedical care and sham acupuncture.
References:
Xiong XQ, Li FY & Qian JH. (2014). Acupuncture Combined with Chinese Massage in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 30(6).
American College of Rheumatology Subcommittee on Osteoarthritis Guidelines. Recommendations for the medical management of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Arthritis Rheum, 2000, 43: 1905 – 1915.
Hong, H. P., Wang, T., Xie, Y., Wei, X. E., Wang, J. L., Cao, Y. L. & Zhan, H. S. (2015). Combination therapy of Shi’s acupuncture therapy and oral application of Yishen Juanbi Wan for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The Journal of Traditional Chinese Orthopedics and Traumatology. 27(5).
Source: Health CMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1535-acupuncture-relieves-sciatica-reduces-inflammation
Acupuncture and herbs relieve sciatica, a condition characterized by lower back pain radiating thro ugh the hips, buttocks, and legs. Researchers from the Rizhao Hospital of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Shanghai University of TCM investigated the efficacy of acupuncture for the relief of sciatic pain. Sciatics induces lower back and hip pain. Both acupuncture and acupuncture plus herbal medicine were effective and produced significant positive patient outcomes. In addition, the researchers document that acupuncture and herbs stimulate important biochemical changes causing pain reduction.
Acupuncture as a standalone therapy had a total effective rate of 81.6% for the relief of pain due to sciatica and restoration of normal function. Acupuncture combined with herbal medicine achieved a 95% total effective rate. As a result, the researchers conclude that the combined therapy approach is more effective than using only acupuncture as a standalone therapy for the treatment of sciatica.
Han et al. note that acupuncture increases serum β-EP, which reduces transmission of nerve pain signals. Sciatica is also characterized by increased levels of IL-1，IL-6, and TNF-α. Hand et al. note that acupuncture successfully downregulates these biochemicals thereby contributing to reductions of pain and inflammation. The research of Li et al. from the Rizhao Hospital of TCM and the Shanghai University of TCM confirms the findings of acupuncture’s ability to regulate β-EP, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. Li et al. note that both acupuncture and acupuncture plus herbs regulate the sciatica related biochemical expression but the combination therapy of acupuncture plus herbs outperforms standalone acupuncture therapy.
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to measure changes in pain levels, functions of daily activity, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, socialization, travelling, and other aspects of life affected by sciatica. Measurements were taken prior to therapy and 3, 10, and 22 days after completion of acupuncture and herbal therapy protocols.
The primary acupuncture points used in the semi-protocolized acupuncture point prescription were:
Zhibian, BL54
Chengfu, BL36
Huantiao, GB30
Fengshi, GB31
Weizhong, BL40
Dachangshu, BL25
Chengshan, BL57
Yaoyangguan, DU3
Ashi
Additional acupuncture points were added for specific differential diagnoses. For qi stagnation and blood stasis, Xuehai (SP10) and Taichong (LV3) were added. For liver and kidney deficiency, Shenshu (BL23) and Taixi (KD3) were added. For cold and damp stasis, Yanglingquan (GB34) was added.
Mild reinforcing and reducing manual acupuncture techniques were applied with 0.30 x 40 mm acupuncture needles. Stimulation was applied until deqi was evoked at each acupoint. Total needle retention time for each acupuncture session was 15 to 30 minutes.
The herbal formula Tong Bi Zhi Tong Tang was ingested orally. The primary ingredients are:
Du Zhong, Eucommia ulmoides 15 g
Sang Ji Sheng, Chinese taxillus 15 g
Gou Ji, Rhizoma cibotii 15 g
Gui Zhi, Cassia 10 g
Hong Hua, Safflower 6 g
Dang Gui, Angelica 10 g
Chuan Xiong 15 g
Niu Xi, Cyathula officinalis 15 g
Wei Ling Xian, Clematis 15 g
Sheng Ma, Bugbane 10 g
Bai Zhi, Angelica dahurica 10 g
Tian Nan Xing, Rhizoma arisaematis 10 g
Zhi Gan Cao, Honey-fried licorice root 6 g
Additional herbs were added based on differential diagnostics. For cold and damp stasis, Chuan Wu (Radix aconiti preparata) 15 g and Xi Xin (Asarum sieboldii) 3 g were added. For qi and blood stasis, Ru Xiang (Boswellia carterii) 10 g and Mo Yao (Myrrh) 10 g were added. For qi deficiency, Huang Qi (Astragalus) 30 g was added. For liver and kidney deficiency, Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) 20 g and Shan Zhu Yu (Cornel) 10 g were added.
The clinical and objective tests results indicate significant reductions in pain, increases in functionality, and reductions in inflammatory responses for sciatica patients. Manual acupuncture, on its own, achieved an 81.6% total effective rate and, when combined with herbs, achieved a 95% total effective rate.
In a related study, Hoang et al. find electroacupuncture effective for sciatic nerve regeneration. In a laboratory experiment, electroacupuncture restored motor functions and enhanced recovery rates for injured sciatic nerves. The results demonstrate that electroacupuncture stimulates recuperation from “neuropathic pain that develops following a nerve injury.”
Hoang et al. note that electroacupuncture promotes sensory and motor nerve fiber regeneration while shortening the duration of recovery times following nerve injuries. The researchers concluded that “electro-acupuncture appears to be a valuable method to accelerate motor recovery and alleviate neuropathic pain symptoms that occur after nerve crush.” These findings are consistent with the Li et al. manual acupuncture results.
References:
Li, L., Li, N. J., Xin, D. M. & Zhao, L. (2014). Tongbi Zhitong Decotion Combined with Acupuncture Treatment on 60 Patients with Sciatica of Nerve Roots. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae. 20(20).
Han, C., Sun, Z. R. & Yue, J. H. (2014). Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment on Nerve Root Sciatica. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 41(2): 324.
Hoang et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012, 12:14. Electro-acupuncture on functional peripheral nerve regeneration in mice: a behavioural study. Ngoc Son Hoang, Chamroeun Sar1 Jean Valmier, Victor Sieso, and Frédérique Scamps.
September 30, 2015 by admin
Source: Democrat & Chronicle
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/2015/09/14/six-ways-stay-healthy-change-seasons/72277076/
Many people stress with the change of seasons, particularly with the coming of autumn and the return of school and transitioning of schedules. Autumn is known as a time of decreased immunity. Increased colds and flus and increased stress due to the coming of the cold season combine with the impending holiday season for a stressful time period. But this doesn’t have to be if we follow some simple techniques to stay healthy and whole during the fall season.
Breathe fresh air as often as you can. Just because it is getting a little chillier doesn’t mean that you have to come inside until spring comes around again. Breathe into your belly. This is diaphragmatic breathing, and it improves our immunity, detoxifies us and exercises our internal organs.
Stay hydrated. Autumn is the beginning of the dry season and many people will become dehydrated because they feel it is not hot enough to be drinking water. Increased water intake can improve back pain from doing autumn yard work, improve the immune system, and help prevent many acute and chronic illnesses.
Eat well and eat in season, and local as much as possible. Autumn provides us with root vegetables, fresh fruit, pumpkins and squashes which contain beta carotene, vitamin C, and many other nutrients that can improve our immune function.
Continue to move, even though the cooler season is coming. Maintain or start your exercise routine to improve immune function and to counter the blues and mood swings which can come about with the decrease of light.
Get plenty of rest for restoration and rejuvenation. As the light decreases, embrace it as a time to look inward and improve yourself for your work and your mission. Prepare yourself for the time change and the decreased light by getting to bed earlier.
Get acupuncture at the change of seasons. Many people will receive acupuncture around the time of seasonal changes. Acupuncture has been shown to increase immunity and decrease stress. Evidence demonstrates that those who receive acupuncture regularly have less frequent hospital visits and shorter stays than those who don’t.
September 30, 2015 by admin
Source: The Epoch Times
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1754735-a-natural-alternative-to-botox-facial-acupuncture/
Although Dana Chun, 62, has never had Botox or anti-aging surgery, there are no visible wrinkles on her face. In fact, her 38-year-old son has more wrinkles than she does. Is Chun a Korean Benjamin Button? No, Chun is a Korean facial acupuncturist—and a testament to the effectiveness of her profession.
Twice a year Chun, who’s also a pharmacist and a doctor of oriental medicine, receives facial acupuncture, a natural anti-aging treatment that uses thin, metal needles placed strategically in the face and neck to regenerate the skin.
Wrinkles are caused by a lack of or a decrease in collagen production. When collagen and elastic fibers are unable to regenerate, your skin becomes loose and stiff.
Acupuncture can heal your skin’s fibers naturally. When the needles puncture your skin, your body thinks your face is attacked. As a result, white blood cells gather in your face to restore the old fibers and improve your skin’s elasticity. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, doing acupuncture on the face also helps improve the energetic systems that support vitality.
According to the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, which teaches facial acupuncture, the procedure not only removes wrinkles, but can also reduce fine lines, creases, dark circles, and acne scars.
Patients corroborate these claims and also report other health benefits.
“It got rid of my smile lines. They’re all gone,” said Ruth Shi, 40, an accountant who has been receiving facial acupuncture treatment from Chun for the past four years. “It got rid of my dark circles completely too.”
According to Sue Kim, another one of Chun’s clients, facial acupuncture is not only very effective for her face, it has also improved her overall health.
“Now I have no stress. The blood circulation is better. My energy is up,” said Kim, a 60-year-old retired geology professor. Kim has been getting acupuncture treatments for three years and goes in for acupuncture treatment every four months.
“My body has gotten much better, ” she said. “I was very tired before. I always want to lie down. Now I can exercise. Now I can walk the stairs better. My back pain is gone.”
According to Chinese medicine, there are pathways in the body where energy flows through. Each pathway corresponds to an organ or a group of organs. If energy is blocked in these pathways, it causes illnesses. Acupuncture can clear blocked pathways.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of traditional medicine in the world, with a history of several thousand years. In Chinese medicine, acupuncture commonly serves as a natural pain reliever and is known to heal a variety of illnesses.
It first became widely known in the United States in the early 1970s after a New York Times reporter named James Reston received acupuncture treatment in China.
Reston, enthused by the pain relief that acupuncture bought him after an emergency appendectomy, wrote about acupuncture after he returned stateside.
Pros and Cons
According to Chun, acupuncture is a preferable alternative to Botox because it’s not only more natural, but also offers a more permanent solution.
“Your skin has the potential to return to its original state. But because we are always smiling and eating, it’s not given the time to heal,” Chun said. “If you don’t eat or talk for a year, your skin would rejuvenate by itself. This is essentially the effect of acupuncture.”
“Botox changes the eye shape and mouth,” she added. “It looks artificial. Acupuncture doesn’t alter your eyes and mouth.”
Surprisingly, facial acupuncture is not very painful even though it may look excruciating. Shi described the sensation of having needles pinned to her face as a “soft pinch.”
“You feel a little bit of pain,” Shi said. “On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d say the pain is a 3 or 4.”
The main downside of acupuncture is that you don’t see immediate results. Compared to anti-aging surgeries, acupuncture takes longer to show results because no chemicals are used. Instead, the focus is on your skin’s natural healing process.
“It is a slow process,” Shi said. “But after six months I saw a lot of results.”
Traditional and Modern
At Chun’s acupuncture clinic, each session lasts two and a half hours and involves a combination of traditional and modern treatments. During a typical session, a client receives acupuncture, non-invasive active cell therapy, and a massage.
For cell therapy, Chun uses a medical technology that releases high-frequency currents on your face to induce the natural production of collagen that lifts and firms your skin. Afterward, clients are treated to a whole body massage.
“Usually, your whole body becomes tense during facial acupuncture,” Chun said. “Body massage helps with circulation and relaxes the body.”
A client usually comes in for treatment four times a year although this varies depending on age and intensity of wrinkles.
“I have people of all races come for acupuncture treatment,” Chun said. “Even men come.”
September 27, 2015 by admin
Source: Medical Daily
http://www.medicaldaily.com/acupunctures-benefits-include-lowering-blood-pressure-how-ancient-chinese-therapy-351178
Acupuncture — the ancient Chinese treatment of inserting very thin needles into your skin as a therapy for chronic pain — has for a long time been seen as a traditional form of medicine without any real scientific benefits. However, more and more research has been proving that acupuncture has viable health benefits, from improving skin to reducing pain and stress — and now, even lowering blood pressure.
The latest study, published in the journal Medical Acupuncture, examined the effects of acupuncture on 65 hypertensive patients who weren’t on any hypertension meds. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group received electroacupuncture (low-intensity electrical stimulation on different needle points in the body) on their inner wrists and below their knees, and 70 percent of the participants saw a reduction in blood pressure, an improvement that lasted over a month. This group also saw a reduction of blood concentration levels of norepinephrine, a hormone and neurotransmitter that constricts blood vessels and elevates blood pressure.
Interestingly, it appears that the location of electroacupuncture — such as whether it’s in the wrists, arms, or legs — plays a large role in determining its efficacy. The second group received electroacupuncture on their forearm and lower leg, but they didn’t see the same lowered blood pressure as the first group.
“This clinical study is the culmination of more than a decade of bench research in this area,” Dr. John Longhurst, a cardiologist and an author of the study, said in the press release. “By using Western scientific rigor to validate an ancient Eastern therapy, we feel we have integrated Chinese and Western medicine and provided a beneficial guideline for treating a disease that affects millions in the U.S.”
Traditional Chinese physicians believe that acupuncture is a matter of balancing energy flow throughout the body. This energy or life force, known as “qi,” flows through certain points in the body known as meridians. When the acupuncturist inserts a needle into the meridian, the qi will rebalance itself. The science behind it, of course, is still being investigated, but generally acupuncture has shown the ability to stimulate nerves in these points, releasing chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. The cascading release of chemicals and hormones can have an impact on chronic pain and even overall mental health.
Acupuncture has been used to treat oral pain, headaches, muscle tension, and even menstrual cramps. Other studies have shown acupuncture’s effects can be seen in brain activity changes — especially in areas that process pain. But whether acupuncture truly relieves pain or allows a placebo effect to take hold is still being debated.
And when it comes to blood pressure, acupuncture may reduce your hypertension — but only if you’re not taking any other hypertension medicine. The researchers note that further research will need to be done before they can claim acupuncture works well as a supplement to other medications.
Source: Peng L, Tjen-A-Looi S, Ling C, Dongmei L, Jeannette P, Sivarama V. Long-Lasting Reduction of Blood Pressure by Electroacupuncture in Patients with Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial. Medical Acupuncture. 2015.
September 27, 2015 by admin
Source: NPR
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/09/22/436905063/to-curb-pain-without-opioids-oregon-looks-to-alternative-treatments
When Portland resident Doris Keene raised her four children, she walked everywhere and stayed active. But when she turned 59, she says, everything fell apart.
“My leg started bothering me. First it was my knees.” She ignored the pain, and thinks now it was her sciatic nerve acting up, all along. “I just tried to deal with it,” Keene says.
Eventually she went to a doctor, who prescribed Vicodin and muscle relaxants. In 2012, about 1 in 4 Oregonians received an opioid prescription — more than 900,000 people.
The state also currently leads the nation in nonmedical use of opioids, and about a third of the hospitalizations related to drug abuse in Oregon are because of opioids.
Keene says the drugs helped her, but only to a limited degree.
“My body was saying, ‘Well, if I take another one, maybe it’ll work.’ So, I mean, that’s just human nature. Especially when you’re in the kind of pain I was in. You get to the point after months and months of pain where you’re begging for anything — anything — to relieve the pain,” she says.
In the end, Keene became addicted. Her doctor ended up cutting off her supply of pills.
“I got very upset,” Keene recalls. “I said, ‘What do you mean? You gave them to me. Why’d you give them to me and then tell me that I couldn’t have them?’ I was begging.”
Then Keene went to the Quest Center for Integrative Health, a pain management center in Portland.
Lying on a foldout chair in a darkened room, Keene has about a dozen acupuncture needles in place — all part of her treatment.
“I came in here wearing back braces, and knee braces and a crutch, and Dr. Dave told me, ‘Get rid of them! They’re just weakening your muscles,’ ” Keene says. “And when I could walk out of here after the first acupuncture [treatment], I wanted to grab him and kiss him.”
David Eisen, executive director of the Quest Center, is Keene’s “Dr. Dave.” He is board-certified in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and he says doctors need to stop thinking of opioids as a first-line defense against pain.
“There should be an array of things for people to choose from,” Eisen says, “whether it be chiropractic care, or naturopathic care, or acupuncture, nutrition, massage. Try those things — and if they don’t work, you use opioids as a last resort.”
Oregon wants more patients to try this approach. Denise Taray, coordinator of the Oregon Pain Management Commission, says Medicaid’s traditional way of dealing with back pain involved bed rest and prescription painkillers.
“The only thing that might have been covered in the past was narcotics,” Taray says. “But treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, physical therapy and rehab would never have been covered.”
Starting in January 2016, the state will fund many of these alternative treatments for patients who get their health care via Oregon’s version of Medicaid — the Oregon Health Plan. While the treatments may cost more than a course of pain pills, the hope is to save money by reducing the number of people who become addicted to opioids or abuse them.
Plus, pain pills aren’t always as effective as some people assume.
“Research is out there that suggests that with back conditions we’re spending a lot of money on health care treatments and services that aren’t improving outcomes,” Taray says.
Oregon has not found overwhelming evidence that acupuncture, yoga or spinal manipulation work better than other options. But, as Taray points out, these alternatives don’t involve drugs.
This story is part of NPR’s reporting partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting and Kaiser Health News.
September 19, 2015 by admin
September 16, 2015 by admin
Source: HealthCMi
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1518-acupuncture-relieves-anxiety-and-fear
Acupuncture reduces anxiety levels. Researchers from Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine investigated the efficacy of electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji acupoints combined with scalp acupoints for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The results were compared with a traditional acupuncture group and a drug therapy group. The electroacupuncture group had a total effective rate of 96.7% and the traditional acupuncture group achieved an 83.3% total effective rate. The drug therapy group, receiving paroxetine, achieved a 73.3% total effective rate. Based on the findings, the researchers conclude that electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji and scalp acupuncture points is effective for the treatment of GAD.
GAD is characterized by excessive worry and a feeling of anxiousness. Symptoms include the inability to relax, difficulty concentrating, startling easily, insomnia, headaches, exhaustion, muscle tension, nausea, and irritability. There may be concomitant excessive sweating, difficulty swallowing, twitching, frequent urination, palpitations, and lightheadedness.
All three approaches investigated delivered significant positive patient outcomes. Interestingly, both forms of acupuncture that were studied outperformed the drug therapy. The medication used was paroxetine hydrochloride tablets, 20 mg, taken twice per day. Brand names for paroxetine hydrochloride include Paxil, Brisdelle, and Pexeva. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) often prescribed for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For the electroacupuncture group, 1.5” filiform needles of gauge 30 were applied to Huatuojiaji points slanted medially to a 0.5” to 1” depth. For scalp acupuncture, needles were applied to the emotional area as described by Wang et al.
Results were based on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Symptoms evaluated included those related to the muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, alimentary tract, urinary, reproductive, and autonomic nervous systems. Evaluations included changes in anxiety, nervousness, fear, insomnia, cognitive function, depression, and conversational behavior. The results indicate that electroacupuncture is effective in the reduction of anxiety.
In a related study, researchers from Hebei United University conclude that acupuncture relieves test anxiety. This is a type of performance anxiety related to taking exams. It involves several components including fear of failure and a feeling of unpreparedness. Two types of acupuncture were found effective in relieving test anxiety, wrist-ankle acupuncture and auricular acupuncture. The wrist-ankle acupuncture achieved an 84.2% total effective rate and the auricular acupuncture achieved an 82.8% total effective rate.
The wrist-ankle acupuncture group received needling at acupoints in the upper 1 zones. The auricular acupuncture was applied to heart, shenmen, endocrine, adrenal gland, and subcortex acupoints. The Sarason Test Anxiety Scale (TAS) and an autonomic function test were used to assess the anxiety severity before and after treatment. Based on the data, both types of acupuncture were determined safe and effective for the treatment of test anxiety.
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Meridian Healing
Silicon Valley
4161 El Camino Way, Suite A Palo Alto, CA
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