I love my job and enjoy spreading the word about the benefits of acupuncture, for example, a better ability to deal with stress, more energy, better sleep etc. However, there is one barrier which holds many back from enjoying the benefits of acupuncture and that’s the needles. People often think that an acupuncture needle is going to be similar to a syringe needle and can’t get beyond this thought so dismiss acupuncture as a possibility. Which is a shame as they could be missing out on a great therapy.
So I would like to put the record straight and, hopefully, allay one or two fears!
So if you’ve ever wondered what acupuncture is all about but have worried about the needles, then maybe make 2016 the year you overcome those fears and give acupuncture a go. By Western Daily Press | Posted: December 04, 2015
A woman who was crippled with daily migraines which left her unable to leave a dark room for days on end has finally been cured - by an ear piercing. Samantha Fisher, 25, started suffering with headaches when she was just four-years-old but they became intolerable five years ago. She took up to 11 medications a day to prevent or treat them - as well as trying endless alternative therapies - but nothing worked. But she finally found a cure in when her mum Angie read an article about a young woman in America who cured her migraines with an ear piercing. Desperate Samantha got the same piercing through her ear's innermost cartilage fold five weeks ago and claims she has been free of headaches ever since. It is thought the procedure - known as a daith piercing - helps ease migraines because it is the same pressure point targeted by acupuncturists to relieve chronic headaches. Astonished Samantha, of Tiverton, Devon, said: "I suffered horrific migraines for most of my life. "They were so bad that I was unable to leave my home. "I didn't think that the piercing was going to work but I was willing to try anything. I've tried all the holistic stuff, lots and lots of different medications, so I thought it old costs £20 - the price of two prescriptions - so I figured why not. I had it pierced on the Saturday and I had been off work all that week with three migraines - something that was pretty common. It bled quite a lot but as soon as I had it done I felt a relief. I don't know if it was just because it was bleeding, or the acupuncture effect, but I could feel the pressure lifting." "I didn't have a headache the next day, but I thought it must just be a coincidence and it was going to come back, but it didn't - and it never has. I haven't had one since. It's amazing. I've finally got my life back. I can finally get on with things without the fear of getting a migraine." Samantha's headaches were so bad that she would suffer migraines four days a week and found socialising almost impossible. She had to lock herself in a pitch black room with no stimulation - TV, laptop or phone - for days on end, only emerging to go to the loo. The unpredictable headaches came on suddenly without warning, and one Christmas Day she suffered too much to open her presents or come down for dinner. She was taking four different kinds of preventative medicine a day to stop them, as well as seven other different painkillers when she was having a migraine. Desperate Samantha visited a chiropractor and a massage therapist in a bid to find a cure, as well as trying peppermint diffusers, cold packs and essential oils - but nothing worked. But three months ago her mum read an article about daith piercings, and she went to a piercing shop to have a heart-shaped metal looped inserted through her ear. Now five weeks later, she hasn't suffered with a single migraine. "I can finally have a social life, be at work and just have a normal life," said Samantha. It is thought that daith piercings work in the same wasy as acupuncture - involving the placing of needles at specific pressure points on the body's surface. It causes the blood vessels around the needle to open up and become wider, allowing for an increase in blood flow to the tissues in the immediate area. A report published in 2012 in the Archives of Internal Medicine analysed nearly 18,000 patients and doctors from eight universities and hospitals in the UK, US and Germany. The results showed in conditions including chronic headache, acupuncture was twice as effective as the drugs and exercise recommended by most doctors. The US-based Migraine Relief Center recognises the link. A blog on their website says: "The principle is that the piercing mimics acupuncture by hitting a pressure point, which relieves the pressure in the patient's head. "By having it done on the same side as most migraines occur, it's thought to help reduce the incidence of migraines in the area. At this point, the effect of daith piercings on migraine has not been officially studied so it's difficult to determine whether there's any truth to the claims or not." 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:
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. Article by Health CMI 04 DECEMBER 2015 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. cupuncture and herbs relieve sciatica, a condition characterized by lower back pain radiating through 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. Bladder channel acupoints needled with copper handle needles. The primary acupuncture points used in the semi-protocolized acupuncture point prescription were:
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:
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. I came across the following article in Acupuncture Today by Christopher Oswald which discusses the research which demonstrates the importance of Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids on both male and female fertility. An interesting read...
___________ Starting or expanding one's family is a major milestone. It's something that more and more people seek out health care advice and support for. While not an expert in eastern medicine, I have co-treated patients with several acupuncturists and Doctors of Oriental Medicine, and the results have impressed me. I have found that for some patients, the appropriate use of fish oils can be a cornerstone of good reproductive health, both in men and women. A primary reason that supplemental omega-3 nutrition can be so effective is the powerful impact that the current Western diet has upon cell membrane health, specifically its essential fatty acids (EFA) content, which is an integral component to a balanced cell membrane. In Westernized societies, the current ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is generally greater than 10:1 — some argue it is much higher. An appropriate ratio is closer to 4:1, or in some cases, even 1:1. This ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is identified with multiple processes that are very important for a healthy, fertile couple. Prostaglandin production, transcription factors (which control gene expression and affect cellular concentrations of enzymes), and cell membrane properties are all affected by the balance of available omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The impact of healthy EFA balance in regard to fertility is not only important for women. Research has shown that semen quality is related to the types of dietary fat that a man consumes. Men consuming the highest levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have the highest quality. By maintaining healthy levels of omega-3 fats in the diet, and through supplementation, men can help preserve their hormonal health for as long as possible. Additional research has demonstrated similar results through the measurement of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Results showed that the most fertile men had the highest ratios of EPA+DHA to AA. Animal studies are consistent with these findings. Regarding the impact in women, studies have demonstrated that women with the highest dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids have prolonged, healthy reproductive function into advanced maternal age. The impact of omega-3 fatty acid intake, even in the short term, is associated with healthy oocyte quality. Studies with women undergoing in-vitro fertilization showed an association between successful pregnancies and a healthy balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. With the tremendous impact that EFA balance can have on the biochemistry associated with fertility, it is important to be able to identify a potential problem. To ascertain the specific levels of EFAs within the cell membrane, a couple types of laboratory assessments are readily available. This includes evaluation via measurement of EFA content in the red blood cells from either a whole blood sample, or a dried blood spot analysis — otherwise known as the Holman Omega-3 Test. Both are great options, but the blood spot testing can be done from your office, without the need for referral to a blood collection site, or the ability to perform an in-office blood draw. When couples are working to start, or expand, their families, it is important to support their reproductive health. While many options can be pursued, the prudent use of omega-3 fish oil supplementation, and dietary changes to balance their EFA levels, can go far to support conception. Even without lab data, it is very safe to provide recommendations of up to two grams of EPA+DHA daily, with some studies reporting that far higher doses are well tolerated for long periods of time. Studies also show that omega-3s are safe when co-administered with many medications, and may even improve their effectiveness. The human body does need AA, as there are several important processes which it is responsible for, one being cholesterol metabolism. So, when using higher doses, one must remember that it's all about balance. If you do have laboratory data, it becomes very easy to determine dosing requirements. And, the test can be performed again, in many cases six months later, to determine the appropriate dose for the patient in order to ensure the best outcome. With rising fertility challenges, it is important to understand how omega-3 fish oil can help support healthy EFA balance. These powerful nutrients may be exactly what a couple needs to maintain their reproductive health when they are ready to expand their family. ________________ Christopher Oswald, DC, CNS, is a chiropractor, certified nutrition specialist and a graduate of Northwestern Health Sciences University. He practices in Wisconsin focusing on whole body care for those suffering from head and neck pain. In practice, he utilizes the combination of functional movement assessment and functional medicine principles to identify the underlying causes, which guides his direction for the appropriate clinical care. He is an advisory board member of Nordic Naturals and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. He can be reached at cso@hudsonheadache.com The workaholic presenter also has to fit in his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show around his busy schedule and has been having trouble getting some kip
New Top Gear host Chris Evans has had acupuncture to cure insomnia, saying he was “too excited” to sleep. The workaholic DJ is to front a new series of TFI Friday, as well as hosting his morning show on Radio 2. But he feared the early starts on top of late finishes would leave him exhausted without a good night’s kip. He complained: “Can’t sleep. I’m too excited about a show I’ve already done.” Chris tweeted “Think the sleep thing is more about the mind. Very peaceful at the moment-ironically. Never been busier. also had some acupuncture on Monday” But the Chinese needle treatment was a success. Evans, 49, Tweeted his 1.9 million followers: “Now that’s what I call a sleep. Seven hours is like hibernation for me.” Later he added: “Seven hours again! Now That’s What I Call Sleep 2. Out now. At all good record snores.” He will use his 10 weeks of annual holiday from Radio 2 to work on Top Gear. The nation's stress levels are on the increase and we are risking our health by turning to sugary food, takeaways and alcohol to help cope with modern life a new survey has revealed.
The brand new study by the British Acupuncture Council to mark 'Acupuncture Awareness Week' (2nd-8th March 2015) shows that over half of the UK residents surveyed are more stressed now than ten years ago and turn to junk food and booze in a bid to feel better. The study of 5,000 adults found that a third of us admit to comfort eating when stressed, a quarter confess to drinking alcohol and as a result 1 in 5 admit they put on weight. Despite 70% saying they are aware prolonged periods of stress can have a long-term impact on their health, almost half of people admit they just put up with it with two thirds saying stress is totally unavoidable in their life. A lack of time (41%), wanting to have it all (25%) and difficulty switching off from work (24%) were cited as the top reasons for the rise of burnt out Brits. There are many symptoms associated with stress including anxiety, nausea, insomnia, headaches and stomach pains. So how can we de-stress our lives, surely depriving ourselves of our junk food and alcoholic cravings just adds more pressure? According to Tamzin Freeman, a qualified member of the British Acupuncture Council reaching for your favourite foods or treating yourself to that bottle of wine after a hectic day may feel good in the moment but won't tackle the root cause of the problem. Traditional acupuncture is an effective, evidence based therapy that can be a positive step for anyone wanting to get their stress levels back under control. Although traditional acupuncture has been an integral part of Chinese medicine for nearly two thousand years, particularly as treatment for stress - just 4% of the UK have tried it. The following recent article in the Nottingham Post demonstrates how acupuncture is becoming more mainstream and accepted in the NHS. One of the biggest benefits of acupuncture is that it has the potential to reduce the use of medication, especially for painkillers, which can have side-effects with longterm use and this benefit is now being recognised. Totally safe and side-effect free, acupuncture is now finding its rightful place alongside conventional Western medicine.
_____________ Spending on ancient pain-healing treatment has risen by more than a third in Nottingham in the past four years. The NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which buys and plans health services, spent almost £505,000 on acupuncture therapy in the 2013-14 financial year – £145,000 more than in 2010-11. The treatment, which derives from ancient Chinese medicine, involves inserting fine needles into certain parts of the body to ease pain. City GPs and specialist clinics said it had become increasingly popular for patients suffering from problems such as chronic backaches and migraines. Dr Peter Holden, chairman of the British Medical Association in the East Midlands, said: "There's no question that acupuncture does work in the right patients and some of the reasons for the increasing bill is because we have better access to logical pain management clinics. GPs can't just refer someone to acupuncture – we refer them to a clinic, which suggests ways forward. "It's not that people are now 'wasting' money on alternative medicine – acupuncture has a proven place and there's sound physiology in the way it works." In the past, sceptics have dismissed it as a myth relying on the placebo effect. But the treatment has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, though only for chronic lower back pain, chronic tension headaches and migraines, claiming it has scientific evidence. Dr Arun Tangri, a GP at Riverlyn Medical Centre in Bulwell and GP clinical lead for the city's CCG, said it had carried out a large public consultation, with patients "overwhelmingly" in favour of continuing acupuncture services. He added: "It can be good because it means people are using less medicine like ibruprofen and co-codamol, which can have long-term side effects, such as damaging kidneys and the liver. People are requesting it more, which is probably because they are getting benefits from it." Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Pinpointing-need-acupuncture/story-23249765-detail/story.html#ixzz3HRHKi7cC In 2008 Duke University sent out a press release that stated, “Acupuncture is more effective than medication in reducing the severity and frequency of chronic headaches, according to a new analysis conducted by Duke University Medical Center researchers.”
That is a pretty unequivocal statement from a prestigious institution. The National Institutes of Health recommended acupuncture as a viable treatment for chronic headaches over a decade ago and, while research in this field has increased, there have been conflicting reports about its efficacy. “We combed through the literature and conducted the most comprehensive review of available data done to date using only the most rigorously-executed trials,” says Tong Joo (T.J.) Gan, M.D., a Duke anesthesiologist who lead the analysis. While everyone experiences an occasional headache, more than 45 million Americans (one in six) suffer from chronic headaches, 20 million of whom are women. Medication remains the mainstay of treatment with varying levels of success. The Duke team looked at more than 30 studies (4000 patients) that compared traditional acupuncture to either medication or a control group who received sham acupuncture. Similar to traditional acupuncture, the sham therapy entails inserting needles into the skin but the acupuncturist avoids meridians or areas of the body that Chinese medicine teaches contains vital energy associated with achieving balance needed for good health. The findings were published in the December 2008 issue of Anesthesia and Analgesia. “One of the barriers to treatment with acupuncture is getting people to understand that while needles are used it is not a painful experience,” Gan says. “It is a method for releasing your body’s own natural painkillers.” Acupuncture therapy is becoming more available worldwide and many people begin experiencing relief following the first visit. Most patients require several treatments, especially if it has been a chronic condition, for more permanent relief. If you are plagued by chronic migraines and headaches give acupuncture a try! I wish to congratulate my associate Lianne Aquilina on the publication of her book Acupuncture for IVF and Assisted Reproduction. I can highly recommend this book to fellow acupuncturis as it provides a wealth of information and the specialist knowledge needed to work with patients seeking acupuncture for natural fertility or ART.
There is no stone left unturned – extensive information is provided from both Western and TCM perspectives on every aspect of fertility, from conception and reasons for sub-fertility through to the procedures of ART. In particular it reflects the many years’ of experience the authors have within this field as it also provides information on the more difficult to treat cases, clinical issues during ART, complications, ethical considerations and patient management. Well done Lianne! |
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