Laut einer klinischen Mulitcenterstudie, durchgeführt in China, hat Akupunktur eine länger anhaltende Wirkung in der Behandlung von funktioneller Obstipation (Verstopfung ohne medizinische Ursache) als die Therapie mit Laxantien. Insgesamt wurden 475 Patienten mit funktioneller Obstipation in 3 Gruppen unterteilt. Die erste erhielt eine tiefe Akupunktur am Punkt Magen 25, die zweite Gruppe eine oberflächliche Akupuntur am selben Punkt und die dritte erhielt täglich Lactulose. Beide Akupunkturgruppen (tiefe und oberflächliche) erhielten über vier Wochen fünf x pro Woche  Akupunktur, während die Laxantiengruppe täglich über 16 Wochen Lactulose zu sich nahm. Während der ersten vier Wochen nahm die Stuhlfrequenz in allen drei...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture regulates glucose levels in diabetics and improves the performance of metformin, an oral diabetes medication. Combining electroacupuncture with metformin improves glucose lowering performance and regulation of insulin secretion. As a result of recent findings, researchers conclude that a combination of electroacupuncture with an insulin sensitiser may be a new treatment for type 2 diabetes. Liao et al. conducted a laboratory investigation on the effects of electroacupuncture and metformin on insulin resistant rats. The researchers comment that their investigation design is a humane model in that the rats need not be killed at the completion of the experiment. Blood samples, insulin...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture plus herbal medicine outperforms omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) for the treatment of acid reflux. Often referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, or reflux esophagitis, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid reverses direction and enters the esophagus, causing inflammation, heartburn (burning pain), regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth, nausea, or bloating. Acupuncture plus herbs was more effective than drug therapy in both the short and long-term. In addition, acupuncture plus herbal medicine had a lower relapse rate. In research conducted at the Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture plus herbs produced an 89.7% total effective rate,...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are found effective for the alleviation of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Two independent investigations confirm that acupuncture, as a standalone therapy, or acupuncture combined with the herbal formula Si Shen Wan (Four Miracle Pill) is safe and effective. Additionally, investigators confirm that acupuncture is more effective than loperamide, a synthetic opiate used to control diarrhea by inhibiting peristalsis (wavelike intestinal constriction and relaxation). Heilongjiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital researchers determined that acupuncture, as a standalone therapy, produces a 92.19% total effective rate for the treatment of IBS. A group receiving loperamide plus Si Shen Wan...Weiterlesen

Brain connectivity, which is altered in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), appears to become more like that of healthy controls following acupuncture treatment. Chinese researchers compared data from eight FD patients with ten healthy controls. Two main acupoints, Zusanli ST-36 and Taixi KID-3, were used, with additional acupoints including Zulinqi GB-41, Neiguan P-6 and Shenmen HE-7 employed based on symptom pattern. Treatment was implemented once every other day, three to four times a week, for one month. Patients showed significant improvements in FD signs and symptoms after acupuncture treatment. The investigators also identified sub-portions of brain networks that had shown...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture reduces cholesterol. Researchers measured the effects of needling acupuncture point ST40 (Fenglong) on plasma cholesterol levels. In a laboratory experiment, electroacupuncture successfully downregulated LDL cholesterol. Simultaneously, electroacupuncture downregulated several proinflammatory macrophages linked to dyslipidemia: MCP-1, ICAM-1, IL-1gamma. The researchers conclude that electroacupuncture at ST40 downregulates plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and proinflammatory macrophages in cases of hyperlipidemia. A related laboratory experiment reveals similar findings. Zhang, et. al., conclude that electroacupuncture lowers levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in cases of high cholesterol. Acupuncture points LI11 (Quchi), CV12 (Zhongwan) and ST40 effectively lowered LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Nitric Oxide...Weiterlesen

Preliminary Chinese research suggests that combining acupuncture with metformin treatment may be more effective than metformin alone for improving weight loss and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thirty-nine diabetic participants received metformin alone or metformin plus electro-acupuncture (EA) and auricular acupuncture (AA). Ten body acupoints were needled (Zhongwan REN-12, Tianshu ST-25, Zusanli ST-36, Sanyinjiao SP-6, Shuifen REN-9, Hegu L.I.-4, Daheng SP-15, Shuidao ST-28, Quchi L.I.-11 and Qihai REN-6, with electric current applied to eight needles), along with six ear points (Sanjiao, Hunger, Stomach, Shenmen, Endocrine and Spleen). Acupuncture was carried out 10 times (every other day)...Weiterlesen

A Brazilian pilot study suggests that acupuncture can improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with faecal incontinence. Eighteen adults reporting more than six months of daily faecal incontinence symptoms underwent 10 weekly sessions of acupuncture. Twenty-two needles were applied at each treatment to the same preselected points, chosen according to TCM theory (Quchi L.I.-1, Neiguan P-6, Shangiuxu ST-37, Yinlingquan SP-9, Weizhong BL-54, Fuliu K-7, Shuifen REN-9, Qihai REN-6, Zhongji REN-3, Zhangmen LIV-13, Shenshu BL-23, Dachangshu BL-25, Ciliao BL-32, Taiyuan LU-9, Waiguan SJ-5, Sanyinjiao SP-6, Zhiyin BL-67, Dadu SP-2, Linqi GB-41). After 10 acupuncture sessions all patients reported an...Weiterlesen

Clinicians in Hong Kong have found that electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment reduces both the duration of post-operative ileus (POI – hypomotility of the gastrointestinal tract following surgery) and length of hospital stay following laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. In a prospective study, 165 cancer patients undergoing laparoscopy were assigned randomly to three groups, who received EA or sham acupuncture once daily from postoperative days one to four, or no acupuncture. The acupoints Zusanli ST-26, Sanyinjiao SP-6, Hegu L.I.-4 and Zhigou SJ-6 were used. Patients who received EA demonstrated a significantly shorter time to defecation than patients who received no acupuncture (85.9...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture and moxibustion successfully alleviate Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease. Research published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology finds acupuncture combined with moxibustion effective in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Subjective and objective findings confirm the results; both laboratory results and patient symptoms demonstrate significant improvements. Crohn’s disease, also known as regional enteritis, is an inflammatory disease of the intestines affecting the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Symptoms include abdominal bloating and pain, nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcers, weight loss, eye disorders, arthritis, fever, loss of appetite, chronic bloody or watery diarrhea, dermatological disorders, iron deficiency anemia and fatigue....Weiterlesen