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Cleveland Clinic Serves up Chinese Herbs

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The Cleveland Clinic opened its Chinese herb therapy ward as part of its Center for Integrative Medicine in January of this year. In the clinic certified herbalists work under the supervision of Western medicine-trained physicians to see patients. A herbal therapist must undergo three to four years of Master’s degree level education in Chinese medicine and pass certification exams in Oriental medicine, herbology and biomedicine. The clinic rules state that patients must be referred by their physician, who oversees their treatment for at least a year.

According to administrators at the Cleveland Clinic, this is the first of its kind to be affiliated with a Western hospital. “We’re incorporating ancient knowledge into patient care,” says in-house herbalist Galina Roofener.

There have been many stories about the dangers of dietary supplements and herbal treatments sold to the general public, including by this author.  But if the process is managed by medical professionals, then much of the risk should be minimized.

Essentially unregulated by the FDA, many supplements contain unspecified ingredients and varied to no amounts of the advertised herb. Drugs and herbal treatments taken together have been known to cause drug reactions that can lead to illness and other medical issues. The program at Cleveland clinic is providing herbal therapies in a well-supervised, thoughtful approach. The herbal therapists are certified and medical doctors supervise the patients.   There is also oversight of the supplement manufacturing  process.

“There are more ways of healing than just our conventional medicine,” Dr. Melissa Young, of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative Medicine. “It doesn’t have to be an either-or, and we’re seeing, I think, the best results often when we can combine both philosophies.” (Today Show, 4/24/14) Conditions like menopause, premenstrual syndrome, insomnia, chronic pain, digestive disorders, headaches and chronic fatigue are among the conditions that respond well to herbal medicines.

There has been very little clinical research of Chinese medicine in the US and there are ongoing concerns about the purity of ingredients in herbal medicines found on the open market.  The Cleveland Clinic has carefully sought out sources for the herbs used in its clinic. The Clinic is working with a Kaiser Pharmaceutical subsidiary out of Taiwan as well as a Chinese herb–specific compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts and California that specializes in custom blends, according to a report in Time.com.

The Cleveland Clinic joins the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern University and the NorthShore University HealthSystem, affiliated with the University of Chicago, in providing herbal medicine for their patients. This new approach is garnering a lot of attention right now; it’s a groundbreaking approach to incorporating a range of modalities in patient care.   Hopefully, these clinics are safe, innovative and effective models for future patient care, as opposed to a laboratory for testing new methods of treatment.

by Gregg Webb, of The Legal Examiner

Acupuncture improves Appendectomy Recovery

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Researchers conclude that combining acupuncture with conventional biomedical post-operative care improves patient outcomes for cases of appendicitis treated with surgical removal of the appendix. Acupuncture improved surgical recovery rates including a more rapid recovery of intestinal function.As a result, the research team concluded that acupuncture after an appendectomy is an effective modality for improving patient recoveries.

 

Researchers from the Shanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) randomly divided 60 acute suppurative appendicitis cases equally into an acupuncture group and a control group. Suppurative appendicitis is a type of acute appendicitis with purulent exudate that is filled with bacteria and inflammation related fluids. This type of appendicitis is often severe, painful, late-stage and life threatening. The acupuncture group receiving the same care as the control group but with the addition of post-operative acupuncture treatments. The acupuncture group significantly outperformed the control group regarding the recovery of intestinal function.

An appendectomy, surgical removal of the appendix, is often performed as an emergency procedure to prevent sepsis and morbidity. In the absence of access to surgical facilities, intravenous antibiotics are often used to prevent sepsis. Many cases treated with perioperatively with intravenous antibiotics resolve completely. Other cases require surgery. This is often performed laparoscopically, a minimally invasive surgical procedure when compared with an open operation.

The researchers investigated the effects of acupuncture on the recovery state of suppurative appendicitis patients who received laparoscopic appendectomies. Anesthesia combined with surgical trauma for the procedure requires a recovery period. A better and more rapid recovery period contributes to improved patient outcomes. After an appendectomy, the intestines are in a protective numb state due to the impact of the operation and anesthesia, causing the slowing down or even stopping of intestinal movement. Therefore, recovering the intestinal function as quickly as possible is critical in reducing the occurrence of intestinal adhesions and obstructions.

The primary acupuncture points used in the study were Zhongwuan (CV12), Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, these points have special functions. CV12 is the front Mu point of the stomach, the influential point for all yang organs, regulates stomach qi and transforms rebellious qi. As a result, this point is indicated for the treatment of stomach and intestinal disorders. ST25 is the front Mu point of the Large Intestine, regulates the function of the intestines, regulates qi and eliminates stagnation. It is often used for the treatment of abdominal disorders including obstructions, diarrhea, pain, distention and edema. ST25 is also widely used in the treatment of menstrual disorders. ST37 is the lower He Sea of the large intestine and is a Sea of Blood point. ST37 regulates the intestines and stomach, clears damp-heat and eliminates accumulations. It is widely used in the treatment of abdominal disorders.

After the appendectomy, the control group received routine biochemical medications while the treated group received acupuncture plus routine biochemical medications. Acupuncture was applied on the first day following operation. The primary acupoints were Zusanli (ST36), CV12, ST37 and ST25. Secondary acupoints were chosen according to differential diagnoses of individual patients: Taichong (LV3) for hyperactivity of Liver-yang, Fenglong (ST40) for damp-heat retention in the Spleen and Neiguan (PC6) for nausea and vomiting. Once the deqi sensation was achieved with manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture was applied using a continuous wave at 6-9V for 30 minutes. Acupuncture was applied once daily for three consecutive days.

After the treatment, the researchers used standard measurements to determine intestinal motility and restoration of function. Acupuncture significantly improved the recovery rates of the first flatulence, borborygmus and defecation. Based on these results, the researchers conclude that timely acupuncture after an appendectomy speeds up the recovery of intestinal function and thus the recovery of the patient.

Reference:
Li, Pengfei, Junhua Ren, and Yonghong Dong. “Clinical observation of acupuncture on recovery of intestinal function after acute suppurative appendicitis.” Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine 4 (2014): 59-60.

– See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1302-acupuncture-improves-appendicitis-recovery-new-study#sthash.6951dVAs.dpuf

Spring Brings Wind

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In traditional Chinese medicine, it is thought that wind brings with it the viruses and allergies that we all suffer.

These often enter through two acupoints on the back of the neck, called Wind Gate. you can find these points by going from the center of your neck, at the top, just under the occiput, and moving over the large tendon to the side, under the occiput, where there is a large hole. This is a spot where it feels good to massage when you have a headache. And, interestingly, when you first catch cold, you sometimes will feel stiff or achey here.

Wind brings with it spasms, twitches, (and itches), and thus we also see a lot of cases of Bells Palsy which begin at this time of year. The classic story is that a parent, or grandparent, has been sitting in the wind watching a child’s first football practice of the season, or an early baseball game, and the next day they wake up with their mouth drooping, or an eyelid that won’t close.

The Chinese would say that wind has invaded the face, entering through the Wind Gates at the back of the neck.

It is very easy to stop Bells Palsy at this stage. Using a combination of needles in the hands and feet, along with a few in the face, we have high rates of success. However, the longer a person waits, the harder it is to help this troubling condition.

I said above that Chinese medicine says that viruses are carried into our bodies on the wind. Interestingly, we often get the sniffles at this time of year. And people are starting to show up at the clinic with sinus infections.

It certainly is windy out there, as the temperature fluctuates between cold and hot every day. Chinese medicine says that we can protect ourselves from the invasion by Wind through the simple act of wearing winter clothes appropriately, and most importantly, by keeping our necks covered with a scarf or turtleneck until it gets a lot warmer outside.

Acupuncture Research News

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Researchers at the Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School have discovered that a form of acupuncture called electroacupuncture controls inflammation and may help to save lives.

The researchers proved that electroacupuncture fights infections including polymicrobial peritonitis. In addition, they found that electroacupuncture reduces severe systemic inflammation due to infections or sepsis.

The researchers discovered that the anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture “are voltage dependent.” Non-acupuncture points (sham points) did not exert anti-inflammatory responses. Additionally, “electroacupuncture with a wooden toothpick” did not reduce inflammation. Only true acupuncture (verum acupuncture) was effective in regulating cytokine levels, producing anti-inflammatory effects and preventing death.

The researchers discovered important biochemical changes stimulated by electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture was found to significantly boost dopamine levels. Using this evidence, the researchers used the drug fenoldopam in their experiments because it has similar effective actions as dopamine. This drug was also effective in reducing sepsis.

Sepsis is responsible for approximately 250,000 deaths per year in the USA. In many cases, it is not infections which kill patients because antibiotics are often effective. However, the resultant sepsis is a dangerous inflammatory disorder caused by the initial infection. Sepsis is responsible for over 9% of all deaths in the USA annually. The new research points to the biochemical process stimulated by electroacupuncture as a means to control sepsis and save lives.

The researchers note that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of electroacupuncture is “mediated by the sciatic and vagus nerves that modulates the production of catecholamines in the adrenal glands.” As a result of these findings, the researchers discovered that “selective dopamine agonists mimic the anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture and can provide therapeutic advantages to control inflammation in infectious and inflammatory disorders.”

The researchers investigated electroacupuncture because of its non-invasive approach to stimulating the vagus nerve. They note, “Multiple investigators have already reported that the vagus nerve controls systemic inflammation” including cases of septic shock, severe sepsis, endotoxemia, colitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhage, ischemia and reperfusion. Direct nerve stimulation has already been attempted in other studies using anesthetics and surgery. The researchers note that “electroacupuncture is endorsed by the US National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. They add that there is ”growing evidence supporting its effects in postoperative and stroke rehabilitation.” Based on this acceptance and scientific data, they used acupuncture to stimulate nerves instead of surgical procedures. It worked. Electroacupuncture successfully reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced serum levels of all cytokines that were analyzed, reduced inflammation and prevented death due to sepsis.

The findings at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School are consistent with other research. Researchers at the prestigious Kyung Hee University in South Korea discovered similar anti-inflammatory effects and cytokine regulation caused by acupuncture. They concluded that, “acupuncture stimulation may be effective for reducing elevated body temperature induced by bacterial inflammation, and part of its action may be mediated through the suppression of hypothalamic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.” Another team of researchers in an earlier study concluded that “these results indicate that stimulation of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway by either pharmacological or electrical methods can attenuate the systemic inflammatory response to endotoxin-induced shock.”

References:
Rafael Torres-Rosas, Ghassan Yehia, Geber Peña, Priya Mishra, Maria del Rocio Thompson-Bonilla, Mario Adán Moreno-Eutimio, Lourdes Andrea Arriaga-Pizano, Armando Isibasi, Luis Ulloa. Dopamine mediates vagal modulation of the immune system by electroacupuncture. Nature Medicine, 2014; DOI: 10.1038/nm.3479.

Antipyretic effects of acupuncture on the lipopolysaccharide-induced fever and expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta mRNAs in the hypothalamus of rats. Yang-Sun Son, Hi-Joon Park, Oh-Bin Kwon, Sung-Cherl Jung, Hyung-Cheul Shin, Sabina Lim. Department of Meridianology and Acupoint, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, South Korea. Neuroscience Letters (Impact Factor: 2.03). 03/2002; 319(1):45-8. DOI:10.1016/S0304-3940(01)02538-1.

Pharmacological stimulation of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway. Thomas R Bernik, Steven G Friedman, Mahendar Ochani, Robert DiRaimo, Luis Ulloa, Huan Yang, Samridhi Sudan, Christopher J Czura, Svetlana M Ivanova, Kevin J Tracey. Laboratory of Biomedical Science, North Shore-LIJ Research Institute, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, USA. Journal of Experimental Medicine (Impact Factor: 13.21). 04/2002; 195(6):781-8. DOI:10.1084/jem.20011714.

– See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1257-now-acupuncture-proven-a-powerful-anti-inflammatory#sthash.7LUwjQ8i.dpuf

Spring Classes at Acupuncture of Iowa

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Free Health Classes every 2nd and 4th Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 pm. Plenty of free parking. We’ll meet in the reception area.

February 25  How Does Acupuncture Work?

March 11  Whole Foods Nutrition

March 25  Stress Management

April 8   Women’s Health and Chinese medicine

April 22  How Does Acupuncture Work?

May 13  Mindfulness and Health

May 27  Acupressure for Self Care

NY says “No” to Dry Needling

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Win for Licensed Acupuncturists: New York Physical Therapy Association Will Not Pursue Dry Needling at This Time

The New York Physical Therapy Association advocates the use of dry needling by physical therapists in the state. The Association has spent the last several years developing a plan of action and the State Board for Physical Therapy agreed with the association’s belief that physical therapists should be able to perform dry needling with appropriate training. When the State Board for Physical Therapy requested a meeting with the Acupuncture Board, it was denied. The Acupuncture Board for New York State continues to oppose the use of dry needling by undertrained physical therapists.

New York

What is considered “appropriate training” for dry needling often consists of weekend crash courses. In an effort to circumvent the stringent requirements for obtaining an acupuncture license, physical therapists often claim dry needling is not acupuncture. The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine released a statement in the past that read, “The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Blue Ribbon Panel on Inter-professional Standards has determined that dry needling and any of its alternative designations, including intramuscular manual therapy, trigger point needling, functional dry needling, intramuscular stimulation or any other method by which a needle is inserted to effect therapeutic change, is, by definition, the practice of acupuncture.”

During a dry needling treatment, acupuncture needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points to remedy muscle pain and impaired movement. When performed by someone with limited training, the practice can be extremely dangerous and has been linked to occurrences of pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung.

The state of New York requires a minimum of 4,050 hours of classroom study at an approved professional acupuncture program registered by the New York State Education Department, supervised clinical experience, and out-of-the-classroom study assignments. Because an individual is a fully qualified physical therapist, does not mean that they have any experience or knowledge of the intricacies of traditional Chinese medicine. The two are entirely different fields of medicine.

Thankfully, the New York Physical Therapy Association has decided that it will not continue to push for dry needling at this time. Though the association hopes to address the issue again in the future, it’s aware the mission will be met with resistance.

Considering more than half of the practitioners offering acupuncture are inadequately trained and not licensed, it’s important for potential patients to seek out a licensed, experienced acupuncturist. This will ensure the patient’s safety, while also allowing them to experience the most effective treatments. TryAcupuncture.org has taken the guesswork out of finding the right practitioner. Our directory only connects patients with real, qualified acupuncturists. Find a licensed acupuncturist in your area today.

Re-posted from Qi News, the Blog from TryAcupuncture.org

Research shows Acupuncture helps Depression

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New lab experiments reveal acupuncture has antidepressant effects.

An examination of brain cells following acupuncture treatments uncovered important mechanisms by which acupuncture exerts its antidepressant effects. Acupuncture caused the regulation of brain cell activity associated with therapeutic results.

The researchers discovered that acupuncture exhibits regulatory effects on special brain cells in the hippocampus called neural progenitor cells (NPs). These cells contribute to the maintenance of the brain and spinal cord. A major function of NPs is in the replacement of damaged or dead cells. Injured cells activate NPs to differentiate into the target tissue. NPs vary slightly from stem cells because they are more specific and tend to differentiate into a specific type of cell.

The researchers cite numerous studies showing “that acupuncture is an effective remedy for depression and it may be as effective as antidepressant drugs.” They also note that electro-acupuncture increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus as do SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors), a class of antidepressant medications. Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons are generated from neural stem and progenitor cells.

The focus of this new study was to map the precise cellular mechanisms responsible for the antidepressant effects of electro-acupuncture. Prior research shows that electro-acupuncture restores proliferation of NPs in the brain when impaired by depression. The focus of this study was a more precise measurement of specific biochemical actions.

The findings revealed that electro-acupuncture applied to acupuncture points DU20 (Baihui) and GB34 (Yanglingquan) on a stress induced rat model group regulated two major subclasses of NPs, quiescent neural progenitors (QNPs) and amplifying neural progenitors (ANPs). The researchers demonstrated that chronic unpredictable stress induced behaviors associated with depression and anxiety in the rat model group. The stress caused cell death of QNPs and “impaired the proliferation of both ANPs and QNPs” in the group. Electro-acupuncture “alleviated depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors in the rat” group, restored proliferation of ANPs and limited cell death of QNPs. This caused a preservation of NPs in the hippocampus.

The researchers note, “The present study revealed that chronic EA (electro-acupuncture) treatment exerted significant antidepressant effects in a rat model of depression. Further, the mechanisms underlying antidepressant effects of EA were associated with preserving the QNPs from apoptosis and ameliorating the impaired ANPs proliferation in hippocampus.” They note that the work conclusively demonstrates that electroacupuncture is “beneficial to the division of hippocampal NPs.” Further, the researchers note that these findings are consistent with other investigations demonstrating that electro-acupuncture “promotes neurogenesis in different brain regions….”

The researchers note that NPs are important in hippocampal neurogenesis and that chronic induced stress decreases proliferation of NPs and manifests in declined neurogenesis. This decrease in the birth of new brain neurons is associated with both anxiety and depression. Electro-acupuncture exhibited the opposite effects of chronic induced stress by upregulating ANPs. The researchers suggest that this is an “underlying mechanism of antidepressant-like effects of EA (electro-acupuncture).”

About the Acupuncture Points
The acupuncture points used in the study have many indications for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture point DU20 is a sea of marrow point indicating its benefit to the brain. Traditionally, it functions to clear the senses, calm the spirit, stabilize the ascendant Yang and to extinguish Liver wind.

Many of these terms require translation into biomedical usage for the modern reader. For example, Liver wind is a term referring to disorders involving seizures, shaking, involuntary movements and other types of internal medicine imbalances. To the outside observer unfamiliar with TCM hermeneutics, the term seems unusual. However, it refers to the ability of DU20 to treat certain types of biomedical disorders including types of hypertension and its sequela. DU20 is also used for the treatment of headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, nasal congestion, coma, shock, mental disorders, prolapsed rectum and prolapsed uterus.

Acupuncture point GB34 is traditionally used for many types of indications including lower limb and knee pain or paralysis. It commonly used for benefitting the tendons, muscles. sinew and bones. It is also used to benefit both the liver and gallbladder.
References:
Yang, Liu, Na Yue, Xiaocang Zhua, Qiuqin Hana, Bin Lia, Qiong Liu, Gencheng Wu, and Jin Yu. “Electroacupuncture promotes proliferation of amplifying neural progenitors and preserves quiescent neural progenitors from apoptosis to alleviate depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours.”

Goldman, Steven A., and Fraser Sim. “Neural progenitor cells of the adult brain.” In Novartis Found Symp, vol. 265, pp. 66-80. 2005.

Hsu, Yi-Chao, Don-Ching Lee, and Ing-Ming Chiu. “Neural stem cells, neural progenitors, and neurotrophic factors.” Cell transplantation 16, no. 2 (2007): 133-150.

– See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1244-acupuncturebraincellgb34du20#sthash.CMrHzjHE.dpuf

7 Things Acupuncture Will Fix

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7 Things Acupuncture Will Fix

By Desta Cullen Posted in | For Your Consideration | 21 January 2014 11:59AM

Ever thought about getting acupuncture but don’t like needles? Well, dear reader, we are here to allay your fears!

We all submit to more painful treatments in the name of beauty (you know, that little thing called waxing), so why not for something as important as your health?

And you can hardly argue with a 4000-year history, and numerous studies that are showing the potential for acupuncture to assist the body’s own healing process, now can you?

So when we heard about the great things being done by local expert—and second generation acupuncturist—Eric Drescher, we had to get the low down.

Eric, who owns Body & Soul Acupuncture Clinic, is dedicated to holistic healing and offers acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and Chinese and Western herbal medicines.

“It’s important to note that I am not just treating the symptoms, but also the cause and the whole person, by identifying the disharmonies and restoring these imbalances,” Eric says.

So why see Eric and not just another acupuncturist? His personalised approach is genuine and his clinic is the perfect tranquil environment to get down and out—and by out we mean siesta (seriously, it’s too hard to resist)! With Eric’s extensive knowledge he will have you focusing on your inner wellbeing in no time.

But we’re curious, what are the top issues people come to see Eric for? Here, he takes us through 7 of the most common ailments he sees and how acupuncture helps.

STRESS

Acupuncture is an excellent stress reduction therapy with its ability to raise endorphin and serotonin levels. It also acts upon regulating our sympathetic nervous system, reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol allowing the body and mind to relax. Um, where to we sign up?

ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

A really serious issue, and Eric says no two stories are the same. Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs can help and he has supported many clients through their hardships.

WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUES

Whether it’s irregular or painful menstruation, premenstrual symptoms, or menopause, acupuncture regulates hormones, and focuses on the general health of the female. Goodbye Nurofen…

FERTILITY

Whether as a standalone treatment or in combination with IVF, Eric can help address specific disharmonies preventing fertility and restoring these imbalances.

BACK PAIN & NECK PAIN

Eric will treat the pain by helping to improve the blood and oxygen circulation through the tissues, helping the muscles to relax. It works by promoting the release of natural anti-inflammatory mediators helping with those unwanted aches and pains. Pain be gone!

HEADACHES/MIGRAINES

Acupuncture is addressing the underlying cause of the headache and restoring balance. Treatments are available as a symptomatic relief during a headache/migraine by taking away the pain, severity and duration; but also as a preventative reducing the frequency of episodes.

SINUSITIS/ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Acupuncture has a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine effect on the system, complemented by the desensitization to allergens. Most people note an immediate improvement after a treatment.

So if the taxing nature of modern life is getting to you, we suggest getting your little exhausted self down to Body & Soul Acupuncture, pronto!

Image Credits: Daniel Maddock, Red Coral, Kavita Kaul

TUL Note: Today’s List Love post is proudly sponsored by Body & Soul Acupuncture Clinic in Kedron and endorsed by The Urban List. Our sponsored posts will never be a secret – the List Love seal will be stamped on any sponsored material you see on the site. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make The Urban List possible.

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