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Acupuncture Improves IVF Outcomes

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/744-ivfmoxa

Acupuncture and moxibustion increase pregnancy rates for women undergoing IVF, in vitro fertilisation. New research examined the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on 84 infertile patients who had a minimum of 2 unsuccessful IVF fertility procedures. The participants were randomly divided into a control group, a sham (simulated) acupuncture group and a true acupuncture group. The acupuncture group showed a much higher clinical success rate for enhancing the IVF procedure than both the sham and control groups. The acupuncture group had a 35.7% success rate whereas the sham group had a 10.7% success rate and the control group had a 7.1% success rate.

The goal of the study was to determine if acupuncture and moxibustion could increase the viability of an IVF procedure for patients who have had at least two prior failed IVF procedures. Acupuncture demonstrated significant clinical efficacy along with the moxibustion treatment. Moxibustion was applied to acupuncture points UB18, UB22, UB23, UB52, CV3, CV4, CV5, CV7 and GV4. Acupuncture needling was administered on the first and seventh days during which ovulation was medically induced. Acupuncture was also administered on the day prior to medical intervention of the ovary and on the day after the embryo transfer.

This clinical study comes at a time when many acupuncture and Chinese Medicine procedures have been proven effective in other research. One recent study demonstrated that acupuncture is significantly more effective than Clomifene, trademarked as Clomid and Omifin, for the treatment of infertility. The acupuncture group demonstrated a 76.3% effective rate for the induction of ovulation whereas the clomifene had only a 48.1% effective rate. In a related study, acupuncture was also shown to be effective for ovulation induction for women with PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome. Acupuncture successfully normalized sex steroid and hormone levels while simultaneously increasing ovulation frequency.

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of research to be published recently was that of acupuncture’s ability to increase live birth rates. It was discovered that women receiving acupuncture who are undergoing IVF treatments have a higher success rate if they receive acupuncture on the day of the embryo transfer. A team of researchers from University of Washington (Seattle), Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (Portland) and Northwest Center for Reproductive Sciences (Kirkland, Washington) developed a specific protocol that consistently demonstrated an increase in live birth rates. Acupuncture was applied to acupuncture points DU20, CV6, ST29, SP8, P6, and LV2 prior to embryo transfer along with auricular points Uterus and Endocrine on the right ear and Shenmen and Brain on the left ear. After the embryo transfer a different set of body style acupuncture points were applied: LI4, SP10, ST36, SP6, K3. These were accompanied with auricular acupuncture points Uterus and Endocrine on the right ear and Shenmen and Brain on the left ear.

In yet another scientific discovery, electroacupuncture demonstrated significant clinical results in improving live birth rates for women receiving IVF. The biochemical mechanisms by which acupuncture exerts its beneficial effects was revealed. A special protein increases in the blood when electroacupuncture is applied and that protein is directly proportional to higher live birth rates. The researchers discovered that electroacupuncture increases blood and embryo levels of HLA-G. Enhanced presence of the HLA-G protein is predictive of higher pregnancy and live birth rates. In addition to this biochemical finding, the statistical increase in live birth rates and pregnancy rates was medically significant. The scientists remarked, “the pregnancy outcome and the pregnancy rate are improved” for all women when electroacupuncture is applied.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine have also received a lot of attention for their ability to resolve chronic conditions of pelvic inflammatory disease, PID. This condition is often the result of an infection and is a leading cause of infertility. In the USA, over 100,000 women become infertile every year due to PID. The Healthcare Medicine Institute addresses this concern in its ongoing live webinar acupuncture CEU series for the treatment of PID. To view a sample of this educational material, view the following video clip below.

References:
di Villahermosa, Daniela Isoyama Manca, Lara Guercio dos Santos, Mariana Balthazar Nogueira, Fabia Lima Vilarino, and Caio Parente Barbosa. “Influence of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation when embryo implantation has failed: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial.” Acupuncture in Medicine (2013).

Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 2012, 10(2), R246.3. Teng Hui, Liu Yu-lei, Wang Jun-ling, Xie Ying. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, Guangdong, China.
Johansson, Julia, et al. “Acupuncture for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.” American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology And Metabolism (2013).
Hullender Rubin, Lee E., Michael S. Opsahl, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, and Deborah L. Ackerman. “Acupuncture and In Vitro Fertilization: A Retrospective Chart Review.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2013).??Exploration of clinical regularities in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for infertility. Qin-feng Huang. JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE AND TUINA SCIENCE?Volume 10, Number 2. (2012), 72-76, DOI: 10.1007/s11726-012-0574-0.
Fertil Steril. 2005 Jan;83(1):30-6. Secretion of human leukocyte antigen-G by human embryos is associated with a higher in vitro fertilization pregnancy rate. Yie SM, Balakier H, Motamedi G, Librach CL.

Acupuncture Helps Constipation

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/740-constipationstcv

New research concludes that acupuncture is an effective treatment therapy for resolving constipation. Researchers compared electro-acupuncture stimulation at key acupuncture points with a sham acupuncture control group. The single-blind, randomized study consisted of women between the ages of 30 and 54 years of age. After eight weeks of treatment, the electro-acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvement and the control group did not show improvement. The researchers also measured a significant enhancement of the parasympathetic nervous system and heart rate variability in the electro-acupuncture group. The researchers concluded that the beneficial responses induced by electro-acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system and the concomitant improvement in bowel movement regularity warrants further documentation and research.

 

The beneficial health effects of electro-acupuncture on humans has long been an interest of electrical engineers and biophysicists. Researchers in Taiwan from the Laboratory of Biophysics at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and the Institute of Electronic Engineering at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology measured the biophysical effects of acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system. The results demonstrated that electro-acupuncture treatments simultaneously resolved constipation, improved cardiovascular health and enhanced activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Heart Rate Variability
The researchers discovered that acupuncture points for the treatment of constipation also improve heart rate variability (HRV). Heart rate variability is the body’s ability to regulate the time interval between heart beats and is an index of the body’s ability to maintain control of the heart beat rate and rhythm through vagus nerve activity. This is the third major study to emerge in the last year demonstrating that acupuncture improves HRV and therefore cardiovascular health. Another recent study concludes that “HRV changes significantly during auricular acupuncture…” and that “HRV total increases during auricular acupuncture….” In this study, researchers measured the results from needling the auricular acupuncture points ear Shenmen, located in the triangular fossa of the outer ear. This acupuncture point was investigated because, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, ear Shenmen calms the spirit, relaxes the mind, provides pain relief and clears the heart. An additional study found that needling acupuncture point CV17, located on the chest, also improves heart rate variability. The investigators concluded that acupuncture at CV17 “causes the modulation of cardiac autonomic function.”

Acupuncture Point Shop Talk
This most recent study for the treatment of constipation used electro-acupuncture at acupuncture points ST36 (Zusanli), ST37 (Shangjuxu), ST25 (Tianshu), ST28 (Shuidao), CV4 (Guanyuan) and CV6 (Qihai). ST36 is located on the lower leg and is a He Sea, Sea of Nourishment, Earth and Lower He Sea of the Stomach acupuncture point. ST36, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), orders the Spleen and Stomach, Regulates the Qi and Blood and strengthens weak and deficient conditions. ST36 is commonly used for the treatment of indications such as gastric pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mastitis, breast abscesses, enteritis, gastritis, edema, asthma, anemia, emaciation, weakness, apoplexy, shock, hemiplegia, neurasthenia and mania.

ST37, located on the lower leg, is the Lower He Sea of the Large Intestine and a Sea of Blood acupuncture point. ST37 regulates the intestines and stomach, clears and cools damp heat and also eliminates accumulations and stagnation. ST37 is useful for the treatment of abdominal pain, distention, diarrhea, dysentery, enteritis, paralysis due to stroke and beriberi. ST28, located on the lower abdomen, is named Shuidao. This is translated as waterway. ST28 cools damp heat and benefits the Urination Bladder. ST28 is useful for the treatment of lower abdominal distention, urinary retention, cystitis, edema, ascites, hernia, orchitis and heat constriction of the sanjiao (triple burner).

CV4 is located on the midline, level with ST28, 3 cun below the umbilicus. CV4 is the Front Mu Point of the Small Intestine. According to Chinese Medicine principles, CV4 nourishes and stabilizes the Kidney, regulates Qi, moves and builds the Qi, restores Yang and is an intersection of the Conception Vessel with the three leg Yin channels. CV4 is used for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, nocturnal emissions, hernia and enuresis (bed wetting).

CV6 is located 1.5 cun below the navel on the midline of the abdomen. CV6 is named Qihai, the Sea of Qi. This acupuncture point and CV4 are located at Dantian, translated as Cinnabar Field. Dantian is an area of the body that stores energy and helps in the healing of disease. Dantian cultivation is often practiced with Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Kum Nye, Tui-Na massage, meditation and breathing exercises. In Chinese Medicine, Dantian is considered the body’s medicine bag of health. CV6 regulates Qi, strengthens deficient Kidneys, harmonizes the Blood, regulates the Chong and Ren channels and dispels dampness. CV6 is clinically appropriate for the treatment of abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, uterine bleeding, urinary disorders, spermatorrhea, nocturnal emissions and impotence.
References:
Chen, Chien-Yue, Ming-Da Ke, Cheng-Deng Kuo, Chien-Hsun Huang, Ya-Hsin Hsueh, and Jing-Rhong Chen. “The Influence of Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation to Female Constipation Patients.” The American journal of Chinese medicine 41, no. 02 (2013): 301-313.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 817378, 7 pages. doi:10.1155/2012/817378. Sino-European Transcontinental Basic and Clinical High-Tech Acupuncture Studies—Part 1: Auricular Acupuncture Increases Heart Rate Variability in Anesthetized Rats. Xin-Yan Gao, Kun Liu, Bing Zhu and Gerhard Litscher.

Kurono Y, Minagawa M, Ishigami T, Yamada A, Kakamu T, Hayano J. Auton Neurosci. Acupuncture to Danzhong but not to Zhongting increases the cardiac vagal component of heart rate variability. 2011 Apr 26;161(1-2):116-20. Epub 2011 Jan 7.

Acupuncture for Phantom Limb Pain

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http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acu.2012.0928?utm_source=031413+CIM+eNewsletter&utm_campaign=031413+eNews&utm_medium=email&

A recent research review has been published in the journal, Medical Acupuncture, comparing 16 studies of acupuncture done to help patients with pain and functional limitation after amputation. This type of study is called a meta-analysis, in which many different studies are grouped together to try to make some meaningful interpretation of their collected results.

One problem with a meta-analysis is that there are differences between the individual studies that may detract from the strength of the evidence. In this case, enough evidence was found to support the idea that acupuncture is helpful in several ways in the treatment of phantom pain and related problems.

Quoted from the study—Results: Level C evidence showed acupuncture treatment reduced phantom-limb pain and sensation (14 studies), improved functional capacity or mobility (5 studies), and reduced levels of analgesic (pain medicine) use (3 studies).

Conclusions: Acupuncture therapy has been shown to have a positive effect on the symptoms of phantom-limb syndrome. However, further investigations of superior quality are needed to support these findings and de- termine the most effective method of acupuncture for this purpose.

The previous paragraph points to a problem that is well known in the field of acupuncture research. That problem is that there are significant challenges to designing acupuncture research that is meaningful. Two of the reasons are that these studies: 1) rarely accurately reflect the way that acupuncture is done in clinical practice, and 2) don’t always use appropriate controls such as ‘placebo’ acupuncture. Good controls are considered essential to producing meaningful research data. There are many other problems inherent in doing good research on acupuncture, but these are two of the main ones.

Despite the fact that this publication has pointed out the well-known shortcomings of acupuncture research, we are happy to see this evidence supporting the usefulness of acupuncture for those people suffering the terrible effects of phantom limb syndrome.

 

 

Acupuncture Treats Fibromyalgia

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/713-acupuncturefmsresearch

New research concludes that acupuncture reduces pain sensitivity for patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The study also showed that patients receiving acupuncture had significant reductions in anxiety and depression. Further, the overall quality of life score improved for FMS patients receiving acupuncture therapy.

 

The treatment method was the application of five acupuncture points at a rate of once per week. The points were located in areas of discomfort near the occipital bone, rhomboid and trapezius muscles and in the region of the upper chest and lateral epicondyle. The results were published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies.

Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome affecting the soft tissues and often involves sleep disturbances, tenderness at specific points, muscle pain, fatigue and depression. A literal translation of the term is pain of the muscles and fibrous tissues. Fibromyalgia is distinguished from most other forms of pain because it is non-nociceptive. Nociceptive pain involves inflammation and is triggered by pain receptors in the skin, muscles, joints and other tissues. FMS and other non-nociceptive types of pain conditions do not inherently involve inflammation and is a result of a disruption in central processing. Examples of non-nociceptive pain include irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches and FMS. It is estimated that FMS affects up to approximately 4% of the US population. In Chinese Medicine, FMS is due to Liver Qi stagnation, Bi syndrome, dampness with Wei Qi  obstruction, Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are commonly used to treat FMS. Biomedical treatments for FMS include anti-depressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sleep drugs, pain medications and nutritional supplements.

More Research
Another recent study published in Clinical Rheumatology concludes that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. The researchers concluded that acupuncture demonstrates definitive “beneficial effects” in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore also conclude that acupuncture is significantly effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome in their new research. Other research performed at the prestigious Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester concluded that acupuncture is effective in treating fibromyalgia and showed specific efficaciousness in its ability to reduce pain, fatigue and anxiety.

The mounting evidence suggests that acupuncture is a primary treatment for FMS. Emerging integrative medical clinics within the hospital and general medical system are helping in the delivery of acupuncture services to patients. However, most acupuncturists have individual or family group style medical practices in the US.

Acupuncture Numbers
Currently, there are slightly over 20,000 licensed acupuncturists in the USA. California has the most acupuncturists with a total of 6,682. New York has 1,909 licensed acupuncturists followed by Florida with a total of 1,719. Those numbers are up from 2009 when California had 6,578 acupuncturists, New York had 854 licensed acupuncturists and Florida had only 2,027 licensed acupuncturists. Massachusetts comes in fourth place with a total of 1,048 licensed acupuncturists. Colorado has 893 acupuncturists, Oregon has 830 acupuncturists, Texas has 796 acupuncturists and Washington has 753 acupuncturists. The numbers begin to drop-off at this point with Maryland having 667 acupuncturists, Illinois with 587 and New Jersey with 567 acupuncturists. Many states have under 100 acupuncturists and 6 states do not even have acupuncture licensing laws at all. Acupuncture has been proven to be an important and effective method for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome but access to care remains an issue.
References:
Bastos, Jessica Lucia Neves, et al. “Effect of Acupuncture at Tender Points for the Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case Series.” Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2013).

An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative medicine for fibromyalgia. Rohini Terry, Rachel Perry and Edzard Ernst. Clinical Rheumatology?Volume 31, Number 1 (2012), 55-66, DOI: 10.1007/s10067-011-1783-5.

Berman BM, Ezzo J, Hadhazy V, Swyers JP. Complementary Medicine Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21207, USA. The Journal of Family Practice [1999, 48(3):213-218].

Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Jun;81(6):749-57. Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial. Martin DP, Sletten CD, Williams BA, Berger IH. Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.

Acupuncture after Knee Replacement Surgery

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/714-acupuncturekneereplacementsurgery

New research concludes that acupuncture reduces pain and inflammation after knee replacement surgery. The research also finds that acupuncture improves range of motion following knee replacement surgery. Further, physical measurements of the swelling around the knee were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group.

Acupuncture for the Knee

Acupuncture was applied to patients with total knee arthroplasty starting at day 7 following knee replacement surgery. Acupuncture was administered three times per week until day 21 when the treatment regime was discontinued. Range of motion improved, swelling measurably decreased and pain levels were significantly lower in the acupuncture study group than in the group that did not receive acupuncture therapy. As a result of these findings, the researchers conclude that acupuncture is effective in the post-acute phase of knee rehabilitation following total knee replacement surgery.

This study builds on earlier findings that acupuncture benefits the knee. In other recent research, investigators discovered that acupuncture reduces knee pain and increases range of motion for patients with osteoarthritis. An interesting study, it compared sham acupuncture with modern acupuncture and classical acupuncture techniques. The sham acupuncture, a form of simulated placebo acupuncture, did not significantly improve the knee condition. However, both modern and classical approaches to acupuncture were highly effective in reducing pain and improving range of motion. The modern acupuncture style involved the application of points known to benefit the knees and the classical acupuncture style derived custom acupuncture prescriptions based on a differential diagnosis. The modern acupuncture style was over 60% effective and the classical acupuncture was over 70% effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The researchers concluded that the efficaciousness of acupuncture is “method-specific.”
Reference:
Mikashima, Y., et al. “Efficacy of acupuncture during post-acute phase of rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.” Journal of traditional Chinese medicine= Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan/sponsored by All-China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine 32.4 (2012): 545.

Max Karner, Frank Brazkiewicz, Andrew Remppis, et al., “Objectifying Specific and Nonspecific Effects of Acupuncture: A Double-Blinded Randomised Trial in Osteoarthritis of the Knee,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 427265, 7 pages, 2013.

Battlefield Acupuncture

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/709-battlefieldacupuncture

A new investigation concludes that Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) is effective in relieving pain and can be implemented in the aeromedical evacuation system for wounded warriors. The study notes that the United States Air Force primarily implements pain control through the use of opioid medications in the evacuation system. The study was conducted using Battlefield Acupuncture techniques when transporting wounded warriors from a US medical center in Germany to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The Battlefield Acupuncture was administered by nurses and physicians to the patients with pain.

Battlefield Acupuncture

Battlefield Acupuncture is a simplified version of auricular acupuncture. Small acupuncture needles are placed on the outer ear tissue. The researchers concluded that it is feasible to train nurses in Battlefield Acupuncture techniques. The medical staff also concurred noting that the application of Battlefield Acupuncture did not interfere with preflight preparations and inflight operations. The patients reported a clinically significant drop in pain levels as a result of the acupuncture. The researchers documented that Battlefield Acupuncture can be integrated into wounded warrior transport without difficulty and has significant clinical benefits in enhancing pain relief.

Acupuncture has a long history in the US military. In 1967, an Army surgeon published an article on the efficaciousness of acupuncture in Military Medicine Magazine. Doctors at Walter Reed Army Medicine Center in Washington have long recommended acupuncture for the treatment of pain due to trauma. Dr. Stuessi, a Navy physician specializing in the treatment of concussions, noted in Stars and Stripes that, “I’ve found phenomenal, off-the-charts results doing acupuncture for sleep, for dizziness and headaches.” Col. Niemtzow began offering acupuncture treatments in 1995 at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Since that time, he has been running a full time acupuncture clinic at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Recently, the Department of Defense has funded research at the New England School of Acupuncture in Massachusetts. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of Gulf War Illness in a double-blind, randomized investigation.

Reference:
Wong, V., D. K. L. Cheuk, and V. Chu. “Acupuncture for newborn babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).” Health (2012).

– See more at: http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/709-battlefieldacupuncture#sthash.VG4o3tug.dpuf

Acupuncture for Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/705-acupuncturedrugalcoho-withdrawal

New research concludes that ear acupuncture helps reduce anxiety and other symptoms caused by drug and alcohol withdrawal. The new study  published in the Journal of Psychiatric And Mental Health Nursing notes that the patients experienced increased relaxation and well-being. Anxiety reduction and reduced drug and alcohol consumption were directly related to the use of the ear acupuncture therapy.

Ear AcupunctureEar Acupuncture

Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular acupuncture, is the placement of needles on the tissue of the outer ear. The acupuncture protocols used in the study followed those created by NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association). The study noted that no negative side-effects were reported and the study notes that the ear acupuncture had an overall positive physical impact on the patients. Given the success of acupuncture therapy for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction in this study, the investigators suggest continued research into the use of the NADA acupuncture techniques for addiction withdrawal.

Another recent study finds acupuncture effective for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms and anxiety associated with heroin addiction. In this controlled study, the use of two acupuncture points located on the arm, HT7 and P6, were investigated. The research concluded that both acupuncture points were successful in the treatment of heroin withdrawal symptoms.

The use of acupuncture point HT7 is widely used for the treatment of anxiety. Also known as Shenmen, Spirit’s Gate, HT7 is valued by licensed acupuncturists for its ability to induce sustained relaxation and benefiting sleep. Another recent study found HT7 had a “markedly reduced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking” in lab rats. The inhibition rate exceeded 85%. In yet another study of human subjects conducted at Yale University it was discovered that acupuncture is significantly effective in the treatment of cocaine addiction. The subjects were much less likely to return to cocaine use if they had received acupuncture treatments.

References:
Bergdahl, Lena, A. H. Berman, and Kristina Haglund. “Patients’ experience of auricular acupuncture during protracted withdrawal.” Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing (2013).

Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. Volume 10, Number 3 (2012), 155-159. Therapeutic efficacy observation on acupuncture for post-withdrawal syndrome of heroin dependence. Yan Liang, Lei Zong, Yu Li, Bo Cheng, Jing Xu and Yue-lai Chen.

Psychopharmacology. Effects of acupuncture on stress-induced relapse to cocaine-seeking in rats. Seong Shoon Yoon, Eun Jin Yang, Bong Hyo Lee, Eun Young Jang, Hee Young Kim, Sun-Mi Choi, Scott C. Steffensen and Chae Ha Yang.??

Arch Intern Med. 2000;160(15):2305-2312. Randomized Controlled Trial of Auricular Acupuncture for Cocaine Dependence. S. Kelly Avants, PhD; Arthur Margolin, PhD; Theodore R. Holford, PhD; Thomas R. Kosten, MD. Yale University School of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry. New Haven, Connecticut.

Acupuncture and Blood Flow: Positive Research

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/689-acupuncturehemotaichong

A new study finds that acupuncture affects sympathetic nervous system tone and increases peripheral blood flow. Researchers measured the physiologic effects of applying acupuncture to acupoint LV3 (Taichong). LV3 is located on the dorsum of the foot in the depression distal to the junction to the first and second metatarsal bones. The scientists created a study to measure the exact effects of needling a single acupuncture point on radial artery hemodynamics. Using high-resolution ultrasound with automated echo-tracking, the researchers discovered that applying acupuncture to LV3 causes an initial decrease in radial artery blood flow volume during the acupuncture treatment. Next, the radial artery blood flow volume significantly increases after completion of the acupuncture needling. The researchers also noted that acupuncture decreases systolic blood pressure following acupuncture treatments. Heart rate significantly decreased during acupuncture and returned to baseline approximately three minutes following the treatments.

Radial artery hemodyamics are measured with this system. Hemodynamic Measurements

During the study, acupuncture was applied by a licensed acupuncturist using disposable stainless steel needles (Seirin Co Ltd, 40mm length, 0.16mm diameter). Manual stimulation was applied for 18 seconds using bidirectional 90 degree rotation. Acupuncture was applied to LV3 bilaterally.

Clinical Highlights
Liver 3 (LV3, Taichong, Great Rushing) is a Shu-Stream, Earth and Source point. LV3 pacifies the Liver, regulates the Blood and opens the channels. Clinically this point is commonly used for the treatment of headaches, vertigo, insomnia, irregular menstruation and uterine bleeding, pain of the extremities and joints, eye disorders, rib pain, retention of urine and enuresis.

Other Hemodynamic Research
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, concluded, “Recent evidence shows that stimulation of different points on the body causes distinct responses in hemodynamic, fMRI and central neural electrophysiological responses.” In another study, researchers demonstrated that acupuncture benefits patients with glaucoma. Acupuncture was shown to improve intraocular pressure (IOP) and retrobulbar circulation. The researchers note that this study measured the ability of acupuncture to cause improvements in eye hemodynamics.
References: 
Arai, Hiroyuki, Yoshifumi Saijo, Tomoyuki Yambe, and Nobuo Yaegashi. “RADIAL ARTERY HEMODYNAMIC CHANGES RELATED TO ACUPUNCTURE.”

Shin Takayama, Takashi Seki, Toru Nakazawa, Naoko Aizawa, Seri Takahashi, Masashi Watanabe, Masayuki Izumi, Soichiro Kaneko, Tetsuharu Kamiya, Ayane Matsuda, Akiko Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Yambe, Makoto Yoshizawa, Shin-ichi Nitta, and Nobuo Yaegashi. Short-Term Effects of Acupuncture on Open-Angle Glaucoma in Retrobulbar Circulation: Additional Therapy to Standard Medication. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 157090, 6 pages.

Point specificity in acupuncture. Chinese Medicine 2012, 7:4 doi:10.1186/1749-8546-7-4. Emma M Choi, Fang Jiang, John C Longhurst. University of California, Irvine.?

Acupuncture Success for Chemo & Radiation Side Effects

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http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/698-acupuncturechemoradiationyangming

A new report published by the Medical College of Wisconsin notes that acupuncture reduces chemoradiation side effects. The study demonstrated that acupuncture reduced painful swallowing and dry mouth that resulted from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Odynophagia, painful swallowing, is a common side effect of chemoradiation therapy for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer along with xerostomia, dry mouth.

Acupuncture is successful in the treatment of cancer side-effects. The study notes that over 50,000 people in the USA are diagnosed with head and neck cancers annually. While dry mouth is the most common side-effect of head and neck cancer treatment, painful swallowing is considered more detrimental to the quality of life.  The researchers note that these side-effects are difficult to manage but that acupuncture was successful in helping to reduce both odynophagia and xerostomia.

The study documented a case study of a patient receiving 10 acupuncture treatments at a rate of one per week for a duration of 20 minutes per each treatment. The patient reported gradual improvement over the treatment period with a complete resolution of odynophagia after four acupuncture treatments and a 30-40% improvement of xerostomia after 10 acupuncture treatments.

Prior to acupuncture therapy, the patient failed to respond to pilocarpine, Biotene rinse and speech therapy. The patient suffered from dry mouth characterized by dry oral mucus membranes and skin hyperpigmentation associated with radiation side-effects. The patient experienced significant throat pain and noted a focal pain at the base of the tongue that worsened with swallowing. The patient also experienced impaired taste and difficulty swallowing. After four acupuncture treatments, the painful swallowing disappeared completely. The dry mouth reduced significantly by the end of the 10 acupuncture sessions.

The report, published in the Journal of Cancer Therapeutics & Research, focused on a single case history. Manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture were applied to the patient. Yangming channel acupuncture points used in the study were ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST36, LI4 and LI11. Acupuncture points were also applied to Taiyang channel points SI18 and SI19.  Shaoyang acupuncture points used in the study were GB2 and GB3. A single point was applied to the Taiyin channel at SP6 and extra channel points GV20 and CV23 & CV24 were applied. Ear acupuncture points Shenmen and Point Zero were also included.

The study notes that electroacupuncture was applied to ST5, ST6 and ST7 bilaterally starting at acupuncture treatment number two. Starting at treatment number five, electroacupuncture was bilaterally applied to ST3 and ST4. The acupuncture needles used in the study were Vinco brand of 0.25mm diameter. Two lengths were used, 15mm and 25mm. Needle depth ranged from 0.25cm to 1cm and electroacupuncture was set to 30Hz with an amplitude adjusted for patient tolerance to sensation response.

Reference:
Colorado, Berdale, and Hong Wu. “Acupuncture for the relief of odynophagia and xerostomia after chemoradiation therapy in oropharyngeal cancer: a case report.” (2013).

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Battlefield Acupuncture for those in Military Service

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Story by Spc. Brian Smith-DuttonSmall RSS IconSubscriptions Icon Subscribe To This Journalist

Spc. Brian Smith-DuttonFirst Lt. Robert Blume, the physician assistant for 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), inserts a thin gold needle through a U.S. civilian contractor’s ear during a battlefield acupuncture session on Combat Outpost Champkani, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, 2013. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that was brought into the military in 2001. (U.S. photo by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton Task Force 3/101 Public Affairs)

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Army 1st Lt. Robert Blume, the physician assistant for 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), performed battlefield acupuncture on a U.S. civilian contractor on Combat Outpost Champkani, Afghanistan, Jan. 27.

The patient had come to Blume complaining of massive back pain sustained from years of being enlisted in the military and had opted for acupuncture.

“Battlefield acupuncture is done so as to augment therapy for people who don’t want to take pills everyday,” said Blume.

Two needles were inserted through both ears of the patient without flaw or complications and he was able to walk out with no complaints of back pain.

Battlefield acupuncture may be still in the beginning phases within the military but many service members are opting for therapy over medication.

Read more:http://www.dvidshub.net/news/101789/battlefield-acupuncture-old-practice-new-practitioners#.URqIHqVt3Hh#ixzz2Ki6iixcU

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