Acupuncture Continuing Education

Acupuncture News and Research

 

anxiety

Acupuncture calms anxiety. Xuzhou Guangci Hospital psychiatric department researchers conducted a clinical trial comparing acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of anxiety disorders with gamma oryzanol plus alprazolam (a benzodiazepine medication). Acupuncture combined with moxibustion produced a 93.75% total effective rate and alprazolam plus gamma oryzanol produced a 75% total effective rate. Based on the data, the research team notes that acupuncture is safe and effective for the treatment of anxiety.

gout

Acupuncture is more effective than a popular drug for the treatment of gout, a type of arthritis involving pain and inflammation due to a build-up of uric acid crystals in a joint. Dongguan Tangxia Guanhua Hospital researchers compared the efficaciousness of acupuncture with indomethacin (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) for the treatment of gout. Acupuncture produced a higher total effective rate than the medication, including greater reductions in pain, swelling, and redness. [1]

three acuneedles

Acupuncture and herbs alleviate depression. Shaoxing Seventh People’s Hospital (Zhejiang) researchers tested the efficacy of combining acupuncture and herbal medicine in an integrated treatment protocol. Based on the data, the researchers conclude that a combination of the herbal formula Chai Hu Shu Gan San and acupuncture is effective for the relief of depression and is more effective than either treatment modality as a monotherapy. [1]

taiyang TB23

Researchers conclude that acupuncture increases positive outcomes for cataract surgery patients that have comorbid glaucoma. Fenghua District People’s Hospital researchers determined that phacoemulsification (surgical removal of cataracts using an ultrasonic device) patients have better intraocular pressure, aqueous outflow (F value), pain relief, and visual acuity when receiving acupuncture and tuina massage. [1]

yintang MHN3

Acupuncture and herbs improve sleep for children with intractable insomnia. Kaifeng Pediatric Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers find that the An Hun herbal formula combined with acupuncture applied to a single acupoint is effective for the relief of intractable pediatric insomnia. In a randomized controlled investigation, a total of 104 children were recruited for the study and were randomly assigned to a treatment group or a control group. The cured, markedly effective, and effective scores were added together to determine the total effective rate. In the acupuncture plus herbs treatment group, there were 20 cured, 25 markedly effective, 4 effective, and 3 ineffective cases, yielding a total effective rate of 94.2%. [1]

LI4 Hegu acupoint

Acupuncture mitigates adverse effects resulting from chemotherapy. Chongqing Tumor Institute (Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine) researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial consisting of rectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Acupuncture significantly reduced the severity of hand-foot syndrome, a known side effect of chemotherapy characterized by redness, swelling, tingling, numbness, itching, and pain of the palms and soles.

acupuncture head

Acupuncture alleviates test anxiety. Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted a clinical trial consisting of undergraduate students with test anxiety, a type of performance anxiety. The results demonstrate that acupuncture reduces pre-examination anxiety and reduces sleep disturbances. [1]

coronary artery

Acupuncture potentiates coronary heart disease drug therapy. Patients receiving acupuncture combined with usual care had greater positive patient outcomes than patients receiving only drug therapy. In a clinical trial conducted at Nanyang First People’s Hospital, acupuncture combined with drug therapy produced an 85% total effective for the treatment of coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease). Patients receiving only drug therapy had a 62.5% total effective rate. The researchers note that the application of acupuncture “can significantly improve blood lipids, blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram indicators in CHD patients while reducing coronary artery plaques.” [1]

GV20 Baihui

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers find acupuncture effective for the alleviation of post-stroke depression and the restoration of neurological functions. The research, conducted at the university’s Shuguang Affiliated Hospital, compared outcomes from two groups: acupuncture and control. Both groups received treatment according to the China Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease. This included medications to control blood pressure, improve cerebral circulation, reduce inflammation, promote neuronal regeneration, and for secondary complications such as respiratory infections and pressure sores. In addition, the acupuncture group received a pre-selected set of acupuncture points.

menstrual cycle

Research demonstrates that acupuncture plus herbs outperform hormone drugs for the treatment of irregular menstruation. A study conducted at the People’s Hospital of Zhangwu County (Liaoning) tested the efficacy of a modified version of the herbal formula Xiao Yao San combined with acupuncture. In a controlled clinical trial, the results of the combined acupuncture and herbal medicine therapy were compared with patients receiving hormonal medications.

MRI procedure

Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers find true acupuncture more effective than sham acupuncture for the relief of claustrophobia (fear in enclosed spaces). During an MRI, claustrophobia may cause severe nervousness or panic attacks and result in termination of the procedure. Usual care approaches to avoid claustrophobia include psychological methods and sedatives. [1] This study examines an integrative approach to care by using acupuncture to address this concern. The results indicate that acupuncture prior to an MRI procedure mitigates claustrophobia.

Quadriceps 

Acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of denervated skeletal muscle atrophy. Researchers at the Fujian Provincial Research Institution of Traditional Chinese Medicine conclude that acupuncture reduces myocyte (muscle cell) apoptosis while promoting the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells. Satellite cells help to repair and regenerate muscle fibers. Morgan and Partridge note that skeletal muscle satellite cells “are normally quiescent in adult muscle, but act as a reserve population of cells, able to proliferate in response to injury and give rise to regenerated muscle and to more satellite cells.” [1]

yintang acupoint

Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, University of Hong Kong researchers reveal that electroacupuncture improves core functions in children with ASD, especially language comprehension and self-care ability. True acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture and only true acupuncture provided significant clinical outcomes. Based on the evidence, University of Hong Kong researchers conclude that “acupuncture might be a useful adjunctive therapy in early interventional programs for children with ASD.” [1]

dysmenorrhea

Acupuncture and herbs outperform ibuprofen for menstrual pain relief. Jiangxi Maternal Health Hospital researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial comparing the effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine versus ibuprofen for the relief of menstrual related abdominal and lumbosacral pain. Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine produced a 91.7% total effective rate. Herbal medicine monotherapy produced an 86.7% total effective rate. Ibuprofen monotherapy produced a 73.3% total effective rate. The findings indicate that acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine is more effective than ibuprofen for the relief of dysmenorrhea. [1]

acupuncture meridians

Acupuncture outperforms drug therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared the efficaciousness of acupuncture with donepezil drug therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [1] Acupuncture produced superior patient outcomes compared with the drug therapy. In addition, acupuncture did not produce any serious adverse effects.

gastric acupoints

Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of gastric ulcers and chronic atrophic gastritis. Two independent research teams examined these digestive conditions and determined that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment modality. Let’s take a look at the first investigation.

EEG latency

Acupuncture combats attention deficits in insomnia patients. One of the most significant problems for people with insomnia is daytime drowsiness and inattention, leading to an increased risk of mistakes and accidents. Researchers find that acupuncture has the potential to attenuate these symptoms, as well as improving overall sleep quality. [1]

acupoint

Acupuncture improves in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) success rates. Qingdao University researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial and confirmed that acupuncture reduces failed embryo implantation rates using transvaginal ultrasonography. Findings include increases in good-quality embryo rates, endometrial receptivity, improvements in serological sex hormone levels, and the addition of acupuncture to standard ovulation stimulation drug therapy reduced the adverse effect rate of the drug therapy. [1]

acupuncture educator

Acupuncture aids swallowing for post-stroke dysphagia patients. Researchers at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenyang, China) found combining acupuncture with standard functional training improves outcomes for patients with dysphagia and other symptoms following a stroke. The study outcomes included overall neurological function scores, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, water swallowing test scores, and overall efficacy. Although both groups showed improvements following four weeks of treatment, outcomes were superior across all areas in the acupuncture group. [1]

injured worker

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed SB 6666, a workers acupuncture treatment bill that passed both the state senate and assembly. The bill included provisions for implementing acupuncture in the state’s workers compensation system. The bill would have allowed licensed acupuncturists to provide acupuncture treatments to injured workers.

  1. Acupuncture Found Effective For Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief
  2. Acupuncture Pain Relief After Knee Surgery Lowers Morphine Use
  3. Acupuncture and Herbs Benefit Paraplegia Patients
  4. Acupuncture Benefits Premature Ovarian Failure Patients
  5. Acupuncture Increases Drug Efficacy For Trigeminal Neuralgia
  6. Acupuncture Benefits Sleep In Lab And Clinical Trials
  7. Acupuncture Promotes Ankle Injury Recovery
  8. Acupuncture MRI Results After Ischemic Stroke
  9. Acupuncture IBS Relief Proven With Biomarkers
  10. Acupuncture Meniere’s Disease Recovery
  11. Acupuncture Sciatic Nerve Neuroprotective Mechanism Found
  12. Acupuncture Beats Drugs For Prostatitis
  13. Acupuncture NCCAOM Diplomate Certificate Changes
  14. Acupuncture Enhances Weight Loss Program, Lowers Cholesterol
  15. Acupuncture Diabetic Hypotension Discovery
  16. Acupuncture and Herbs Stop Shingles Pain, Outperforms Drugs
  17. Acupuncture Low Back Disc Protrusion CT Scan Results
  18. Acupuncture Fights Influenza, Decreases Mortality Rate
  19. Acupuncture For Glaucoma Eyesight Protection
  20. Acupuncture Point That Reduces Fevers Confirmed
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