blitzchiropractic

Acupuncture proves its point

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 11:35:28 GMT

Acupuncture practitioners treat patients in London. There are about 200,000 acupuncturists outside China. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Ancient Chinese technique continues to increase in popularity

China's ancient medical remedy of acupuncture is gaining global popularity after proving to be an effective treatment for illnesses and ailments that Western medicine still struggles to cure.

Acupuncture classrooms and clinics are appearing worldwide, from countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States, to emerging economies including Brazil and Ethiopia.

Acceptance of the 2,000-year-old form of alternative medicine has spread far beyond Chinese communities. In recent years, acupuncture has become the new healthy lifestyle buzz after developing a fan base among royals and celebrities, including Megan Merkel (now the Duchess of Sussex), movie star Matt Damon and singers Sheryl Crow and Madonna.

Not only is it commonly used to treat pain, nausea and headaches, it is also applied in beauty clinics for conditions such as skin rejuvenation, stress release and weight loss.

Mike Cummings, medical director of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, said, "Acupuncture holds a unique position in our medical world today, because some of the benefits it brings to the human body find no substitute in other medical practices.

"It is encouraging to see that acceptance has accelerated amongst medical professionals, especially as the number of high-quality academic articles on acupuncture published in top medical journals has grown, and new research findings are proving the clinical effects of acupuncture."

Improving the flow

The treatment involves an acupuncturist inserting fine needles into a patient's body.

No substances are injected through the needles. Instead, they improve the smooth flow of life force energy, known in Chinese as qi, from the body's primary organs to the skin, muscles, tendons, bones and joints.

These channels through which qi flows are called meridians, along which most acupuncture points are located. In other words, the needles work by repairing damage to the body's infrastructure to ensure that qi can flow smoothly.

Acupuncture started to spread abroad in the sixth century when Korean traders brought knowledge of it to their own country. It was soon taken up in Japan and Vietnam.

The first mention of acupuncture in European culture came when Dutch doctor Willem ten Rhijne wrote about seeing it practiced in Japan when he was working for the Dutch East India Company in the 1680s.

In the 19th century, there was a flurry of interest in both the US and Britain as a number of scientific articles that appeared in medical journals attempted to describe acupuncture. At that time, it was regarded more as a novelty than a mainstream practice. In the 20th century, as Chinese communities in other countries began to grow, so did the practice of acupuncture in nations such as the UK and US, although it was used mainly by Chinese.

But in 1993, an incident in the UK transformed the market and created a big demand for acupuncture among British patients. News spread that Luo Dinghui, an acupuncturist in London's Chinatown, had successfully cured several British patients of eczema.

This condition causes the skin to become itchy, red and cracked, and even today there is no cure for it in Western medicine.

Luo's achievement drew curiosity from several leading scientists from the National Eczema Society in the UK, who conducted their own research and ended up verifying the achievement. It became headline news and crowds of patients lined up outside Luo's practice to seek treatment.

Following this surge in interest, the UK acupuncture market boomed and new clinics emerged nationwide. Typical acupuncture sessions cost about 50 pounds ($65), and last between 30 minutes and an hour. Since the late 2000s, British universities have offered undergraduate degrees in acupuncture.

Wang Tianjun, who came to the UK in 2007 to work as a lecturer for the University of East London's acupuncture program, said, "Many on these programs are mature students whose fascination with Chinese traditional medicine led to them to look for a career change.

"Students in my class formerly worked in a wide variety of professions, including as lawyers, accountants, office managers or bankers," said Wang, who studied acupuncture at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in Jiangsu province.

About 90 percent of Wang's students are non-Chinese, whose ages range from 30 to 60.

Several other universities in the UK either offer or have offered acupuncture degrees, including Westminster, Southbank and Middlesex.

The acupuncture boom in Britain is mirrored throughout Europe, said Wang, who frequently gives lectures at universities and conferences across the continent.

In Switzerland, acupuncture has been the most frequently used alternative medicine since 2004.

In South America, it was added to treatments available under the public health system in Brazil in 1988.

According to Chinese government estimates, the number of acupuncturists outside the country is 200,000, and more than one-third of the global population has received acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medicines. It is also becoming a big money-generating industry.

Market data group QY Research estimates that the global manufacturing industry for acupuncture needles has achieved an average growth rate of 7.08 percent annually in recent years. Last year, nearly 9.7 billion such needles were made, generating revenue of about $92 million for the manufacturers.

In 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization put acupuncture on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

On Nov 15, acupuncturists from across the world will gather at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris for celebrations being staged to mark the 8th World Acupuncture Day.

Philip Rose-Neil, chairman of the Governing Board of the British Acupuncture Council, said, "We see huge potential for the continued growth of acupuncture going forward, and the advancement of medical technology will support acupuncture to achieve more impact."

For example, the development of laser acupuncture allows traditional techniques to be applied to positions needles cannot reach, and improved needle manufacturing technology will make the practice safer and more comfortable for patients.

Do You Want Acupuncture But Hate Needles?

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 12:38:52 GMT

Acupuncturists get asked about the tool they wield all the time. Here's what they tell people who say they'd love to try acupuncture but haven't because they're scared of needles.

Most people, when they hear about the benefits of acupuncture, find themselves thinking, "That would be so good for me!" Less stress, more energy, better sleep and digestion... Who doesn't want that?

But for many people, there's one thing that holds them back from enjoying the benefits of acupuncture: Fear of needles.

There's a spectrum of needle fears, ranging from downright needle phobic to being moderately concerned about the whole voluntarily-being-stuck-with-needles thing. Regardless, fear of needles is the number-one reason people choose to forego acupuncture.

5 things to remember if you're scared of getting acupuncture

Acupuncturists get asked about the tool they wield all the time. Here's what they tell people who say they'd love to try acupuncture but haven't because they're scared of needles.

1. They're nothing like the needles you know.

"Needle apprehension is very common and natural, considering that we have been conditioned to associate needles with pain--think dentists, blood draws, and IVs," says acupuncturist Kathryn Peak. "But acupuncture needles are hair-thin and nothing like the needles we are accustomed to in a medical setting."

Most people who have never had acupuncture do not realize how thin acupuncture needles are. They bend when you touch them. For an up-close look at an acupuncture needle, check out this article.

2. Kids do it.

Acupuncturist Adam Cantor reminds people that the needling sensation from acupuncture is so gentle that even kids are cool with it.

"If children are okay with getting acupuncture, it can't be so bad," says Cantor.

Acupuncturist Naomi Richman takes a similar approach when faced with needle-phobic adults. "I had an exclusively pediatric acupuncture practice for six years, and I still see a ton of kiddos for acupuncture," she says. "When adults tell me they are afraid of needles, I share anecdotes about a child I recently saw who was really brave, or I tell them, 'This morning, I did acupuncture on a two-month old.'"

Acupuncturist Robin Green has a whole website dedicated to kids loving acupuncture. This is a real thing.

3. Don't call them needles.

Sometimes just changing terminology can help assuage needle fears.

"I've found that simply changing the word 'needle' to 'pin' helps shift the mindset away from needle phobia," says acupuncturist Amy Kuretsky. "My patients love saying that I stick them with pins instead of puncture them with needles!"

Acupuncturist Jodi Knauer has another name for acupuncture needles: "I have several patients who refer to acupuncture needles as 'magical healing sticks,'" says Knauer. "This tiny shift in perception, away from the western-medical 'needle,' can help to release fears and phobias around acupuncture."

4. You're in control.

People commonly assume that they cannot move once the acupuncture needles are in place. That they need to lie there stiff as a board lest they endure excruciating pain or damage their insides. Understandably, this leads to a lot of anxiety and out-of-control feelings.

But it's not true. A good acupuncturist will go at whatever pace you're comfortable with. If you want to start with only a few needles and not keep them in very long, tell your acupuncturist that. If you want to pull out a needle that's bothering you, go for it. If you get push back on this, find a new acupuncturist.

"I tell my patients that we can go as slow as they want so that they feel like they are part of the experience," says acupuncturist Po-Hong Yu. "Acupuncture is not about something happening to you. You have a voice."

One thing you can ask for is that your acupuncturist avoid acupuncture points in your arms.

Acupuncturist Kerry Jenni, a self-described needle phobe who realized after becoming an acupuncturist that acupuncture needles are nothing like the ones she's scared of, says that keeping her arms free during her early days of receiving acupuncture was helpful.

"Moving during acupuncture is a weird sensation," says Jenni. "With your arms free, you can be more in control."

Acupuncturist Christina Morris makes sure that her fearful patients remain at ease once the needles are in. "I leave the patient with a pager so that they can alert me if they're feeling overwhelmed when I'm outside the room."

5. It's not all about needles.

"If the needles really freak you out, there are other modalities that acupuncturists can use," says acupuncturist Paola Acuna.

Acupuncturists are trained in several healing techniques, and only one of them uses needles. There's acupressure , cupping, gua sha , moxibustion , ear seeds, qigong, herbs, among others. None of these things involve needles.

So, what do you say? Maybe 2016 is the year you overcome your fears and try acupuncture. Here are 16 reasons to go for it . Already sold? Find an acupuncturist now .

Sara Calabro is the founder and creative director of AcuTake , an easy-to-understand website about acupuncture and acupressure.

8 Conditions Acupuncture Can Help With

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:37:50 GMT

The first time I had acupuncture was nine years ago. It's been one of the most effective treatments I've ever had for pain management.

I got my acupuncture tune-up once a month. My naturopath played soft music or nature sounds in a room with the lights dimmed.

She inserted perhaps a couple dozen needles in strategic spots starting with the top of my head, down to the tops of my feet. Needles are placed with precision, and left for under an hour -- usually from five to 20 minutes -- then removed.

Every month, she did the same thing. Every month I would have a different reaction. Some spots stung, some itched. Many of them had no sensation in response to the needles. I'm not even sure if I know where all the needles went because I didn't feel some of them.

For a couple of years, I had an ongoing battle with pain, swelling and inflammation that roamed from one area to another. For a year or so the worst of it was in my arms, upper back and hands.

By the time I got home after an acupuncture treatment, my pain level was way down. As the month wore on, the pain would gradually increase. Then it was time for another treatment and around we went.

Eventually I realized that I needed a different desk and seating arrangement while working at my computer. But before that mystery was solved, acupuncture was all that was keeping my arms and hands functional.

According to Mayoclinic.org, traditional Chinese medicine affects the flow of qi which is thought to move along meridians or pathways throughout the body.

Its traditional use in the centuries since it originated in China has been to modify and restore the balance of the flow of energy or qi (pronounced chee). Rebalancing is believed to occur when needles are placed strategically.

Acupuncture has been implemented in traditional Chinese medicine for a range of conditions, both physical and emotional. The Western view is more focused on the observable connective tissue, muscles and nerves.

Each practitioner will have their own unique mix of Eastern and Western perspectives.

Response to acupuncture will also be unique to the individual patient. Some, like me, have quick and strong response. Others less so, and some may notice nothing at all.

Resting after acupuncture is recommended, with the aim of getting the most out of the treatment, giving the body opportunity to reap the benefits.

Dr. Andrew Weil, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, makes some recommendations about acupuncture. Educated at Harvard, he is the founder and chairman of The Weil Foundation, and the Chairman of Weil Lifestyle. Weil is a leading voice for integrative medicine, medicinal plants and alternative medicine.

Have you tried acupuncture? If you haven't, Dr. Weil suggests some reasons to think about going for a session with the needles:

1) Pain Relief

Weil said that a 2010 edition of Nature Neuroscience reported that the release of the amino acid adenosine from the skin was found to play a role in pain relief when acupuncture is performed. According to Mayoclinic.org, acupuncture may increase natural painkillers and increase blood flow throughout the body.

Research has indicated that acupuncture is beneficial for dental pain, fibromyalgia, labor, neck and lower back pain, menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

2) Neurological Benefits

Acupuncture can bring relief from conditions such as migraines and some symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

3) Rehabilitation Assistance

Recovery from conditions such as stroke may be aided by the use of acupuncture treatments.

4) Respiratory Issues

Asthma and sinusitis are some of the respiratory ailments that may benefit from acupuncture.

5) Reproductive Problems

Women may experience relief from reproductive dysfunction such as infertility and some gynecologic disorders.

6) Emotional Matters

Post-traumatic stress disorder may decrease for those who have acupuncture.

7) Gastric Distress

Nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy treatments may ease up after acupuncture.

8) Addictions and Fatigue

It may be helpful for those struggling with addictions and dealing with fatigue.

Visit Jody's website at http://www.ncubator.ca

Acupuncture Surpasses Drugs For Knee Pain Relief

Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:39:44 GMT

Acupuncture with moxibustion is more effective than drugs for the alleviation of knee pain. Research published in the Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal demonstrates that acupuncture combined with moxibustion outperforms nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. NSAIDs provided a faster onset of initial effective therapeutic actions. However, acupuncture provided superior long-term relief from pain and improvements in range of motion.

Two study groups were compared. Group one received acupuncture plus moxibustion at a rate of once per day, five times per week, for a total of four weeks. Group two received the NSAID diclofenac in 75 mg time-release enteric coated capsules, once per day, for twenty days. The NSAID group had a 33.33% total effective rate. The acupuncture plus moxibustion group had a 63.33% total effective rate.

The primary acupuncture point prescription included the following acupoints:

Xiyan, (M-NLE-16)
Heding, (M-LE-27)

A secondary set of acupuncture points was added dependent upon differential diagnostics in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system. For stomach yangming channel related knee osteoarthritis, the following acupoints were added:

Liangqiu, ST34

Zusanli, ST36

Futu, ST32

For gallbladder shaoyang related disorders, the following were added:

Yanglinquan, GB34
Xiyangguan, GB33

Waiqiu, GB36

Juegu, GB39

For bladder taiyang related disorders, the following acupoints were added:

Weizhong, BL40
Weiyang, BL39

Chengshan, BL57

Kunlun, BL60

For spleen taiyin related disorders, the following acupuncture points were added:

Xuehai, SP10

Yinlingquan, SP9

Taibai, SP3

For liver jueyin related conditions, the following acupoints were included:

Xiguan, LV7

Taichong, LV3

Yinbao, LV9

For wind-cold channel blockages, the following acupoints were added:

Quchi, LI11

Dazhui, DU14

Fengchi, GB20

For blood stasis, the following were added:

Taichong, LV3

Geshu, BL17

Xuehai, SP10

For liver and kidney related conditions, the following acupoints were added:

Ganshu, BL18

Shenshu, BL23

Qihai, CV6

Rapid needle insertion was performed. Twisting, lifting, and thrusting manual acupuncture techniques were applied to elicit deqi. After the arrival of deqi, the needle retention time was thirty minutes.

Drugs achieved the most rapid relief from pain. Acupuncture plus moxibustion achieved the highest total effective rate for pain relief and range of motion improvements. NSAIDs were 33.33% effective and acupuncture plus moxibustion was 63.33% effective.

Zhou et al. (2014) had similar findings. . Patients receiving electroacupuncture had a 60% total effective rate and patients receiving manual acupuncture with moxibustion had a 48.89% total effective rate for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The primary acupuncture point selection was different and included the following acupoints:

SP10
Xiyan
ST36
SP9
BL23

Sanyinjiao (SP6) was added for patients with continuous pain and Weizhong (BL40) was added for patients with severe pain intensity levels. Although using different clinical protocols, both research teams demonstrated that acupuncture is an effective modality for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Li et al. (2011) find acupuncture effective for the treatment of osteoarthritis. They concluded that electroacupuncture “inhibits osteoarthritis-induced pain by enhancing 5-HT2A/2C [serotonin] receptor activity.” The research team consisted of researchers from the University of Maryland (Baltimore) and Shanxi Medical University. The team made important findings noting that electroacupuncture activates serotonergic neurons and attenuates osteoarthritis pain by activating serotonin receptors that “play an important role in pain modulation at the spinal level.”

References:

Sun K, Huang XY & Wei FL. (2015). Clinical study on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis by acupuncture of Wei’s acupoints. Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal. 19(8).

Chen B, Fang ZC & Xiong FL. (2011). Acupuncture in treating knee osteoarthritis and improving the patients’ quality of life. Journal of Guiyang College. 33(3): 7-9.

Zhou WC. (2014). Clinical Comparative Study of Electro-acupuncture and Warm Acupuncture on Kidney Marrow Deficiency Syndrome of Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Emergency in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 23(8).

Serotonin Receptor 2A/C Is Involved in Electroacupuncture Inhibition of Pain in an Osteoarthritis Rat Model. Aihui Li, Yu Zhang, Lixing Lao, Jiajia Xin, Ke Ren, Brian M. Berman, and Rui-Xin Zhang. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2011, Article ID 619650, 6 pages.