Indian investigators have found that acupuncture is more effective for pain relief than analgesics in the treatment of pulpitis (inflammation of dental pulp tissue). A total of 157 patients were randomly assigned to three groups; real acupuncture with placebo drug, sham acupuncture with placebo drug, and sham acupuncture with ibuprofen. Acupuncture needles were inserted for 15-20 minutes at Hegu L.I.-4, Jiache ST-6, Xiaguan ST-7 and Yifeng SJ-17 on the same side as the dental pain. Needling was carried out at non-acupoints for sham acupuncture. Patients treated with acupuncture reported faster pain relief that was sustained over a longer period of...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture stimulates knee osteoarthritis cartilage repair by regulating proteins TGF-β1 and IGF-1. Beijing University of Traditional Chinese medicine researchers determined that acupuncture accelerates articular cartilage repair in the osteoarthritic knee by inhibiting the overexpression of TGF-β1 and IGF-1. With multiple objective laboratory instruments measuring outcomes, the investigation also reveal that acupuncture smooths the surface of knee cartilage while regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. [1] Under the results section of this article, you will be able to read more about this groundbreaking discovery. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) often presents with pain, limited mobility, and a reduction in quality of life. Pathologically, it...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of musculoskeletal pain, headaches, shoulder pain, and arthritis related pain. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) researchers conclude that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are superior to sham controls and the pain relief persists over time. The research team concludes that acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for chronic pain and referral to an acupuncturist is a reasonable treatment option. In a meta-analysis of 20,827 patients across 39 clinical trials, researchers determined that acupuncture’s pain relieving effects for patients with musculoskeletal pain, headaches, shoulder pain, and arthritis persist over time—with only a...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture may lead to long-term improvements in clinical outcomes and levels of of pain neuromediators in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, according to researchers from Turkey. Seventy-five women with FM were randomised to one of three kinds of acupuncture treatment; real acupuncture (RA), sham acupuncture (ShA) and simulated acupuncture (SiA). Treatments were applied twice weekly for four weeks. Serum serotonin values increased significantly after treatment in both RA and ShA, however the increase in the RA was significantly greater than in both of the other groups. Levels of substance P (the main pain neurotransmitter) decreased in the RA group, but increased in...Weiterlesen

Researchers conclude that acupuncture increases the effectiveness of rehabilitation exercises after knee meniscus repair surgery. [1] Patients receiving acupuncture in a controlled clinical trial had less quadriceps atrophy, limping, locking, pain, and swelling than patients receiving only rehabilitation exercises. Patients receiving acupuncture also had significantly better range of motion, stability, and the ability to walk, jump, and climb stairs. Researchers from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University combined acupuncture with functional training exercises. Patients receiving both functional training exercises and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients receiving only functional training exercises. The...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture can have a significant effect on pain and quality of life in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), according to a pilot case series carried out by Iranian researchers. Twenty-four patients with LSS who had exacerbation of pain with walking were randomly selected and all underwent 10 sessions of acupuncture over three weeks. Twenty-three needles were inserted per patient per session (Yaoyangguan DU-3, Mingmen DU-4 and Baihui DU-20, plus bilateral Shenshu BL-23, Dachangshu BL-25, Guanyuanshu BL-26, Yinmen BL-37, Weizhong BL-40, Zhibian BL-54, Chengshan BL-57, Hegu L.I.-4 and Kunlun BL-60). Comparisons of scores at baseline immediately after the treatment period...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture is a proven and effective therapeutic method for the alleviation of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Hubei Hanjiang Hospital researchers compared two Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) protocols. [1] One group used acupuncture plus moxa. The other group used electroacupuncture and rehabilitation training. Both treatment protocols were effective, with the second protocol outperforming the first. Let’s take a look at the results. About Lateral Epicondylitis Tennis elbow is a chronic aseptic inflammatory condition involving the muscles and tendons of the forearm. The origin of the extensor carpi ulnaris (muscle and tendon) becomes weakened or damaged from overuse or trauma. Tennis elbow...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for the alleviation of frozen shoulder. Also termed adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is characterized by shoulder pain and range of motion loss in the rotator cuff region. Arm movements become difficult and frozen shoulder often interferes with a peaceful night’s sleep. In a controlled experiment conducted at the Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital, researchers determined that acupuncture alleviates pain and restores range of motion to the shoulder for patients with frozen shoulder. Researchers measured the efficacy of electroacupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as separate and combined treatment modalities. Both protocols achieved significant positive...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Objectives To explore the feasibility and acceptability of providing acupuncture treatment to relieve pain and nausea symptoms in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Design Prospective feasibility study. Settings/Location: Public safety net hospital with a 20-bed mixed medical/surgical ICU. Subjects: Patients from all services admitted to the ICU from November 14, 2014 to April 2015. Interventions Three 20min acupuncture treatments given for consented patients who were experiencing pain and/or nausea, in addition to usual care. Outcome measures Primary outcomes assessed were the proportion of patients offered acupuncture who accepted it, their perceptions of the effects of acupuncture treatment on pain...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods Electronic databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for LDH. A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 and the evidence level was assessed using GRADE methodology. Results Thirty RCTs involving 3503 participants were included in the study. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture had a higher total effective rate than lumbar traction (RR=1.1, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15; p<0.001), ibuprofen (RR=1.24, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.48; p=0.02), diclofenac sodium (RR=1.44, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.67; p<0.001) and meloxicam (RR=1.16, 95% CI 1.03 to...Weiterlesen