Acupuncture improves stroke patient outcomes. Suining County People’s Hospital researchers determined that acupuncture combined with thrombolytic therapy is more effective than thrombolytic monotherapy for acute cerebral infarction patients. [1] This type of stroke is often referred to as an ischemic stroke. It is due to blood vessel disorders that result in disruption of brain blood flow and result in deprivation of oxygen and nutrients.
Acupuncture restores symmetry to patients with Bell’s palsy, a type of peripheral facial paralysis. Luoyang Dongfang Hospital researchers conducted a clinical trial comparing electroacupuncture monotherapy with a combined protocol of warm needle acupuncture plus electroacupuncture. The electroacupuncture monotherapy group had a 75.67% total effective rate, with 28 out of 37 patients obtaining significant clinical results. The combined protocol significantly outperformed the monotherapy approach to patient care. Combining electroacupuncture with warm needle acupuncture produced a 94.59% total effective rate (35 out of 37 patients had significant clinical results). [1]
Acupuncture provides support for Alzheimer's disease patients. Hebi People’s Hospital (Heilongjiang Province) researchers compared acupuncture plus exercise with exercise monotherapy. Adding acupuncture to the therapeutic regimen improved patient outcomes.
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of Meniere's disease. Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers determined that acupuncture alleviates dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss for Meniere's disease patients. The research team documents the acupuncture methods used to achieve clinical results and the parameters used to gauge the measurements of clinical outcomes.
Acupuncture alleviates pain and restores mobility for patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a temporomandibular joint disturbance syndrome involving the jaw joint and muscles. Second Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers examined two acupuncture protocols in a clinical trial. They determined that warm needle acupuncture produced a 93.3% total effective rate and standard manual acupuncture produced an 86.7% total effective rate. [1] The efficacy criteria included 4 levels:
Acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for the alleviation of gout. Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers combined auricular acupuncture with warm needle acupuncture and determined that the combined approach significantly enhances the efficacy of drug therapy. Drug monotherapy produced an 81.67% total effictive rate. Adding acupuncture into the therapeutic regimen of care increased the total effective to 95%. Equally as important, the fully recovered rate was significantly higher in patients that received acupuncture.
Acupuncture alleviates prostatitis and reduces relapse rates. Jiujiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared usual pharmaceutical treatment with acupuncture. The results show that acupuncture promotes local blood circulation, improves urethra and bladder function, and alleviates overall symptoms correlated with prostatitis.
Acupuncture alleviates myospasms and pain due to spinal cord injuries. Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers examined the effects of both acupuncture and electroacupuncture. In their clinical trial, both modalities produced significant patient outcomes. However, electroacupuncture edged out manual acupuncture with an 86.67% total effective rate. [1] Manual acupuncture scored a 79% total effective rate.
Acupuncture is efficacious for the treatment of tinnitus related to cervical spine disorders, confirmed by Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers. In the investigation, electroacupuncture outperformed manual acupuncture and produced an 86.7% total effective rate. [1] The success rate of the manual acupuncture group was slightly lower at 83.3%. Learn more about this treatment protocol at HealthCMi acupuncture continuing education online.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for the alleviation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University researchers compared two test groups. One received COPD treatment with placebo needling and the other group received authentic electroacupuncture. The results show that acupuncture reduces small air way obstructions and increases breathing volume, ventillation, overall respiratory function, and exercise tolerance. [1] Learn about acupuncture and Chinese medicine at HealthCMi, a provider of acupuncture CEU continuing education.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide relief for patients with tinnitus. Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital researchers conclude that acupuncture plus topical herbal medicine reduces the severity of tinnitus with a total effective rate of 93.5%. [1] Learn more about acupuncture and herbal medicine at HealthCMi, a provider of acupuncture CEU continuing education online.
Acupuncture restores motor skills, neural function, and improves quality of life for patients after a stroke (CVA, cerebrovascular accident). Jian Central Hospital researchers conducted a clinical trial of 80 patients with post-stroke syndrome. The researchers compared two groups. One received standard physical rehabilitation and the other acupuncture plus physical rehabilitation. Patients receiving acupuncture plus physical rehabilitation had significantly greater improvements in motor skills, neural function, and life quality. [1]
Acupuncture alleviates pain and restores mobility to patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis (pain and range of motion disorder of the shoulder). This condition involves shoulder inflammation affecting the muscles, tendons, and bursa. In severe cases, there may be adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
Acupuncture controls inflammation. Recent investigations demonstrate that acupuncture has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. This applies to pain relief, immune system responses, and general inflammation throughout the body.
Acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of abdominal distention and fullness due to chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, and gastroptosis. Guangdong Yangjiang People’s Hospital researchers conducted a clinical trial and determined that three separate treatment protocols are effective. The three approaches to acupuncture care alleviate Pi Man (痞满), which is abdominal distention and fullness due to chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, and gastroptosis. [1]
Acupuncture alleviates pharyngitis. Southwest Medical University hospital researchers conducted a clinical trial of 180 patients with chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis. Patients receiving acupuncture had significant reductions in pharyngeal mucosa congestion, globus sensations, itching, and dryness. [1]
Acupuncture increases the total effective rate of psychological intervention for the relief of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Weifang Municipal Yidu Central Hospital researchers combined acupuncture with standard psychological treatment. Treatment with both acupuncture and psychological intervention produced an 83.3% total effective rate. Patients using only psychological intervention had a 63.3% total effective rate. [1] The results were measured with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) test and the Digi-Lite Digital Transcranial Doppler (TCD).
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of vertigo due to cervical spine related conditions and diminished blood flow. Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared two groups. One group received only chiropractic and drug therapy. Another group received identical interventions plus the addition of warm needle acupuncture. The group receiving acupuncture had superior patient outcomes. [1]
Acupuncture has been proven effective for the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder. This disorder is characterized by inflammation of the shoulder region, including the muscles, tendons, and bursa. Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College researchers conducted a clinical trial to determine the efficaciousness of acupuncture treatments. They compared patients receving massage monotherapy with patients receiving both warm needle acupuncture and massage therapy.
Acupuncture combined with pelvic floor muscle exercises is more effective than pelvic floor muscle exercise monotherapy for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). Researchers determined that electroacupuncture markedly alleviates symptoms, improves life quality, and reduces accidental urine loss for women with SUI when used in an integrative treatment regimen. [1]
