Every human body is different. Every pregnancy is different. Our bodies don’t always function the way we want them to. In a world where we have so much control and access to the world at our finger tips, there is still so much we cannot control in our own bodies.
This is certainly the case when it comes to pregnancy. However, there are ways acupuncture, alongside other assisted treatments such as IVF, can guide and assist our bodies in the right direction.
Stress, anxiety and depression are some of the most common issues that patients come to me for, a demand for which, in my experience, has increased significantly over the last ten years.
Chronic stress manifests in a wide range of emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioral symptoms, many of which can relieved through acupuncture treatments. Continue reading
According to a recent article, new evidence finds that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is very effective in the treatment of menstrual pain.
Ze XieOne study reveals a popular herbal medicine for the relief of cramping and pain. Another study found acupuncture as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for menstrual related pain. The first and most recent study on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of menstrual discomfort was conducted in Taiwan.
This new study finds Dan Gui Shao Yao San the primary herbal formula consumed in Taiwan for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. This type of dysmenorrhea is characterized by lower abdominal cramping and pain prior or during menstruation and is not due to endometriosis. Approximately 53% of Taiwanese women with primary dysmenorrhea use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and over 90% of this group sought the relief of menstruation related pain. The study notes that Dan Gui Shao Yao San is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula for this condition and it contains both “sedative and anti-inflammatory agents.” Continue reading
A new study finds acupuncture effective for the treatment of breast cancer drug treatment side effects.
The study focuses on acupuncture for the relief of symptoms due to aromatase inhibitor treatment intake. The researchers noted two interesting findings. First, acupuncture is statistically more effective than clonidine for the treatment of hot flashes due to breast cancer treatment. Secondly, statistical differences between sham acupuncture and real acupuncture did not exist in some quality of life measures determined by questionnaires to participants. Oddly, the publication makes no mention of acupuncture needle techniques, types, brands, lengths, gauges, insertion angles and insertion depths.
Real acupuncture produced a mean reduction of 37% for hot flashes. The researchers note that this is superior to the 20% reduction achieved by the pharmaceutical drug clonidine but less than that achieved by paroxetine (45.6%). The researchers note that acupuncture, unlike the medications reviewed, “was not associated with any significant side effects, whereas clonidine and antidepressants were associated with multiple side effects….” Continue reading
New findings conclude that acupuncture is effective for reducing the syndromes caused by vascular dementia. Investigators discovered that acupuncture helps to reduce dysfunction of reasoning, memory and general cognition for patients with this disorder. Vascular dementia is caused by damage to the brain from impaired blood flow.
This may be caused by a stroke or conditions leading to damaged blood vessels or poor circulation that cause deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Risk factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking and heart disease.
A total of 63 patients were studied. Group 1 was a randomized acupuncture treatment group. Group 2 was a non-randomized acupuncture treatment group that self-selected to undergo acupuncture care. Group 3 received conventional guided rehabilitation. Groups 1 and 2 showed significant improvement from acupuncture treatments whereas the conventional treatment group did not show improvement. Continue reading
New research finds acupuncture an effective treatment for the treatment of acne. Investigators examined the effects of four facial acupuncture treatments on patients suffering from acne vulgaris. Following the treatment regime, the investigators measured significant reductions in acne papules and nodules. Additional objective measurements revealed reductions in local inflammation of the skin and tissues. A survey measured a subjective satisfaction scale from patients that showed improvements as well.
The clinical data showed improvements in acne. The researchers also sought to measure the safety of acupuncture along with effectiveness. The researchers documented that no serious treatment related adverse effects resulted from acupuncture treatment. As a result, the investigation team concluded that standardized facial acupuncture is both safe and effective for the treatment of facial acne and its associated inflammatory conditions. Continue reading
Acupuncture really does help to relieve stress and don’t just believe me, a new study has just been conducted providing a closer look at why.
Below is an interesting article I found supporting this and recording a new study which explored the biological mechanisms involved in acupuncture’s stress-relieving abilities, something science has yet to fully understand. Continue reading
Acupuncture has been clinically proven to accelerate the healing of sports injuries. In this post, I have taken the liberty of borrowing some great examples of sports injuries which can be effectively treated by acupuncture.
Warning, this is a long article but it covers such a comprehensive list of what acupuncture can help with (I doubt you’ll find a sports injury that is not covered in here) that I thought it important to include it all. Continue reading
Acupuncture has increasingly gained popularity with people looking for alternate methods to eradicate pain without the use of medicine.
Acupuncture can work for many injuries and is highly recommended by many people who have used it for pain like pain in the neck, back, arthritis and the lower back . Most people assume that alternate methods of therapy that don’t involve taking medicine or having surgery is relatively safer and its potential to do harm would be more negligible than regular medical treatments. It is also seen as a less expensive alternative to modern medicine and treatments. Continue reading
I recently attended a hugely successful national seminar entitled: ‘Migraine and Well-Being: Approaches to Migraine Management’.
The seminar was held in Dublin in association with Migraine Action Week 2012 and was attended by over one hundred people, including lead specialists, acupuncturists, and GPs.
Here is a short summary of the highlights and shared findings of the day’s events. Continue reading
According to an article released in Technorati to
day, 30 May 2012, a collaborative investigation between researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore) and the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine concludes that, “Recent clinical trial and systematic review results clearly show acupuncture to be more beneficial than conventional standard care for many pain conditions….”
Continue reading
In a recent study published by Reuters, three months of acupuncture improved breathing problems in people with chronic lung disease, in a new study from Japan.
According to one researcher, the benefits seen with the alternative treatment were on par with, or better than, what’s been shown for conventional drugs and exercises used to treat the disease. But the study was small, he added, and more research will be needed to convince doctors and policymakers of acupuncture’s usefulness. Continue reading
I often get asked why people should go for acupuncture, does it really work and if so what should they go for.
While doing some research the other day I came across this great article which I thought I’d share as it provides answers to many of the every day questions acupuncturists face.
Basically, there has never been a better time to get acupuncture. The reasons are infinite (in our humble, unbiased opinion), but here are 12 of the most compelling motivations for making acupuncture a priority this year.
Acupuncture Clinic 