Researchers find acupuncture combined with tuina massage more effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis than ibuprofen. Across two independent studies, researchers made several important findings. One important discovery is that acupuncture plus tuina produces superior treatment outcomes compared with oral intake of ibuprofen (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Keep reading, you may find some shocking information about ibuprofen therapy that may make you reconsider long-term exposure to the drug. Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine researchers (Fan et al.) conclude that acupuncture plus tuina has a 90.0% total treatment effective rate. Ibuprofen achieved an 87.5% total...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture alleviates fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Researchers from multiple independent investigations conclude that acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for fibromyalgia patients. One study finds acupuncture effective for enhancing the therapeutic benefits of medications and other studies find acupuncture, as a standalone therapy, more effective than medications for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Let’s take a look at each study, how they achieved clinical results, and the therapeutic benefits associated with each treatment protocol. First, a brief summary about fibromyalgia syndrome will get us started. FMS is characterized by widespread pain, heightened sensitivity to pain upon pressure, fatigue, and insomnia. FMS may...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture is more effective for treating chronic migraine and causes fewer side effects than either botox or drugs, report Iranian researchers. One hundred and fifty patients were randomly allocated to receive acupuncture, botox injections or drug therapy (sodium valproate) for three months. Subjects in the acupuncture group received thirty treatment sessions. The main acupuncture points used were Zulinqi GB-41, Fengchi GB-20, Toulinqi GB-15, Yangbai GB-14, Foubai GB-10, Shiaigu GB-8, Hegu L.I.-4, Taichong LIV-3, Waiguan SJ-5, Baihui DU-20 and M-HN-9 Taiyang, along with individualised points for associated symptoms. During the three months of the study, headache pain severity, number of migraine...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at Kŏngzuì (孔最LU 6) for hemorrhoids. Methods Seventy six cases of hemorrhoids patients, 19 cases were diagnosed with internal hemorrhoids, 25 cases were diagnosed with external hemorrhoids, 32 cases were diagnosed with mixed hemorrhoids , they were treated with acupuncture, Kongzui (孔最LU 6) was perpendicular inserted bilaterally with a depth of 0.5-1cun, and reducing manipulation was performed. Treatment of 24 days were given and the improvement of hemorrhage and pain, the reducement of size of hemorrhoids and the recurrence were compared before and after treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results Sixty...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture is a promising therapeutic option for the management of radicular pain of discogenic origin, according to Turkish researchers. Eighty patients, referring with acute radicular pain of either either lumbar or cervical origin, were randomly assigned to receive either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy with tenoxicam (Mobiflex) or acupuncture. In patients with cervical discopathy, acupuncture was carried out at bilateral Weizhong BL-40, Fengchi GB-20 and ashi points 0.5 cun lateral to midline at the levels of C4-6 or C5-7. These patients also received intradermal needles at auricular points Shenmen and Cervical Vertebrae. In patients with lumbar discogenic pain, acupuncture needles were inserted bilaterally at Shenshu BL-23, Dachangshu BL-25, Ciliao BL-32, Weizhong BL-40...Weiterlesen

Researchers conclude that acupuncture and herbal medicine provide relief for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis characterized by inflammation of the spine, joints, tendons, or ligaments. Long-term, AS can lead to ankylosis, which is stiffening and often immobility caused by fusion of bones. Ankylosing spondylitis is categorized in Traditional Chinese Medicine in several domains: lower back pain, kyphosis, spinal rigidity. In the advanced stages of the illness when bone fusion is present, it is categorized as zhu jie yang (bamboo spine). Clinical trials at the Shaanxi Baoji Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital determined that acupuncture...Weiterlesen

Researchers find warm needle acupuncture effective for alleviating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The same investigation reveals that a modified herbal formula prescription of Juan Bi Tang is also effective. The study’s objective data also demonstrates that both approaches to patient care produce significant positive patient outcomes. Acupuncture and the herbal formula produced significant reductions in rheumatoid factors. These are substances in the bloodstream that lead to pathological autoimmune responses, causing the body to attack its own tissues. Rheumatoid factors are often elevated in rheumatoid arthritis patients and a reduction of these factors is correlated with reductions in systemic inflammation. Two important...Weiterlesen

Distal acupuncture needling results in immediate pain reduction in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) and adding acupuncture to conservative therapy for the condition results in shorter recovery times. In this German randomised study, 60 volunteers with primary AC were assigned to acupuncture with press tack needles or placebo press tacks.  Thirty-four volunteers subsequently received normal acupuncture plus conservative therapy in an open follow-up clinical application, while 13 volunteers received conservative therapy without acupuncture. Acupuncture treatment was performed using distal points. An immediate improvement of 3.3 points in shoulder pain score was seen in the press tack needle group compared with...Weiterlesen

Acupressure can improve recovery after acute ankle sprain, leading to shortened disability time, say Chinese clinicians. A total of 62 patients with acute ankle sprains were were randomised to either standard treatment (ST), standard treatment plus acupressure (AP) or standard treatment plus mock acupressure (mock AP). Acupressure treatment consisted of ten minutes of pressure at Yongquan KID-1 on the affected foot, along with pressure at a tender point on the thenar eminence of the contralateral hand. The results showed that the mean volumetric measurement of the foot, ankle and lower leg (a measure of swelling) in the AP group decreased...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Research indicates some women experiencing depression during pregnancy are dissatisfied with conventional depression treatments due to incomplete effectiveness, dislike of side effects, unsatisfactory experiences with providers and concerns regarding in-utero and breastfeeding safety. Consequently, many explore alternative options including acupuncture. To further understand women’s views, preferences and motivations in this regard, as well as their experiences of receiving acupuncture as part of a three-armed pragmatic randomised controlled trial evaluating acupuncture for antenatal depression in Sydney, Australia, in-depth interviews were conducted with a group of acupuncture recipients. METHODS Eight participants who had completed the eight-treatment intervention were interviewed. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS The...Weiterlesen