Acupuncture is a cost-effective and safe treatment modality for the alleviation or elimination of migraine headaches. Harvard Medical School, Georgetown University, University of Arizona, Creighton University, and Louisiana State University researchers report findings showing that acupuncture reduces the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks. [1] The investigation team indicates that patients receiving acupuncture are also less prone to secondary anxiety attacks and depression.
Acupuncture and herbs are effective for the treatment of chronic epididymitis, a condition characterized by testicular tube inflammation. Symptoms include local pain and swelling. Researchers conclude that a combination of acupuncture and Tian Tai Wu Yao San Chinese medicine herbal formula provides relief from chronic epididymitis and is superior to conventional antibiotic treatment. The findings were confirmed by Xi’an Medical School Affiliated Baoji Hospital (Shanxi, China) researchers using color doppler flow imaging, testicular blood flow readings, and measurements of the epididymus diameter. [1]
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective for the treatment of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides). Wuji Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hebei) researchers determined that coronary heart disease patients get significant improvements in blood lipid profiles when acupuncture and herbal medicine are added to standard care. [i] The results indicate that an integrative treatment protocol using Chinese medicine plus usual care produces superior patient outcomes compared with usual care monotherapy.
Acupuncture improves IVF (in vitro fertilization) outcomes. Warm needle acupuncture reduces ECF (endometrial cavity fluid) accumulation and improves clinical pregnancy rates following IVF. These are the findings of a study conducted at Foshan Women and Children’s Hospital (Guangdong, China). [i]
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of migraines. Researchers from Harvard Medical School, Xidian University, and Capital Medical University find acupuncture effective for the reduction of migraine attacks. They discovered that a patient’s pre-treatment brain structure is predictive of the success rate achieved by acupuncture for the reduction or elimination of migraines. [1] Using MRIs and machine learning, specific patterns in brain gray matter prior to treatment were correlated with improved response rates to treatment.
The HealthCMi (Healthcare Medicine Institute) roster has expanded, featuring new acupuncture CEU live webinars and online distance learning courses for NCCAOM PDAs and state CEUs. This includes acupuncture license renewal credit for the entire United States plus Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and much more. Acupuncture webinars are easy to attend on the Zoom platform and acupuncture distance learning courses are available anytime, 24 hours a day, at HealthCMi.
Acupuncture and the external application of herbal medicine provide facial paralysis relief. Chenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers demonstrate that acupuncture, combined with herbal steaming and washing, provides effective relief for patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP). [1]
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Wuhan First Hospital researchers find acupuncture combined with drug therapy relieves hyperlipidemia and demonstrates superior patient outcomes over drug monotherapy. In another study (Xue et al.), an herbal formula used to tonify the spleen and transform dampness outperforms simvastatin for regulating blood cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemia patients.
Harvard Medical School neuroscientists conclude that acupuncture regulates inflammation in response to bacterial infections. The study finds acupuncture effective in ameliorating the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokine storms. The researchers demonstrate that acupuncture increases survival rates and prevents disease progression.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 is safe and effective. Researchers determined that specific herbal formulas demonstrate purity, potency, and efficacy. In addition, acupuncture treatments address signs and symptoms including coughing, fatigue, and fevers. In this article, we highlight essential herbal medicine findings.
Researchers confirm that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. In one investigation, acupuncture plus herbal medicine outperformed drug therapy for hyperthyroidism symptomatic relief. In another independent investigation, the addition of acupuncture to a medication treatment protocol significantly increased positive patient outcome rates. Let’s take a look at both investigations.
HealthCMi (Healthcare Medicine Institute) has expanded its schedule for acupuncture CEU webinars. HealthCMi live webinar CEU and NCCAOM PDA credits are valid for acupuncturist license renewal throughout the entire USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and more. The expanded schedule includes the addition of new webinars and topics.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) researchers conclude that the Chinese herbal patent medicine Lianhua Qingwen Capsules decreased the number of virus particles in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms that virus particles at cell membrane surfaces, in the cytoplasm, and in plasma vesicles decreased in cells treated with Lianhua Qingwen Capsules. In addition, the herbal medicine treatment results in a morphological deformation of virus particles. [1]
Researchers conclude that Lianhua Qingwen Capsules improve the recovery rate from COVID-19 symptoms, shortens the time from initial symptoms to recovery, and improves morphological recovery from chest radiologic abnormalities. [1] The results from a multicenter randomized clinical trial indicate that Lianhua Qingwen Capsules are both safe and effective for use in patients with COVID-19. The researchers add that an extended study is needed to thoroughly explore the effects of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules on viral shedding.
Acupuncture alleviates schizophrenia and MRIs reveal that acupuncture regulates spontaneous neural activities in specific regions. Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Mental Health Center researchers combined acupuncture with standard drug therapy. Patients receiving both medications and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients receiving only drugs. Results were determined by analysis of clinical symptom scores and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) results. [1]
Acupuncture restores ovulation in women presenting with anovulatory infertility. Affiliated Hospital of Henan Tuina Vocational College (Luoyang, China) researchers compared two treatment protocols. One group received acupuncture plus and herbal medicine (Bu Shen Tiao Zhou herbal protocol), another received herbal medicine monotherapy. The group receiving both acupuncture and herbs had a total effective rate of 89.13%, compared with 65.22% in the herbal monotherapy group. [1] Based on the evidence, the hospital researchers conclude that acupuncture improves hormone levels, promotes ovulation, and is worthy of clinical application.
Acupuncture exerts anesthetic effects, alleviates pain, and reduces gingival bleeding during and after dental procedures. Three independent investigations confirm the findings. In one study, acupuncture outperformed a local anesthetic and produced better anesthetic effects. Two other investigations find acupuncture effective for the alleviation of pain and conclude that acupuncture significantly reduces copious gingival bleeding during and after tooth extraction.
Acupuncture treatment sessions and acupoint tapping are effective for the relief of severe anxiety, including mental health benefits for frontline healthcare workers active in the fight against COVID-19 (coronavirus). Two independent investigations confirm the efficacy of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for relieving stress. One clinical study tested acupoint tapping self-care and determined that it effectively reduces mental stress in nurses working on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. Another investigation determined that acupuncture outperforms a powerful benzodiazepine medication for the reduction of anxiety.
Acupuncture outperforms drug therapy for the treatment of insulin resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Shanghai Tianshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared the efficaciousness of acupuncture with metformin hydrochloride drug therapy for the treatment of insulin resistant PCOS. Metformin hydrochloride achieved a 60.0% total effective rate and acupuncture achieved a 67.7% total effective rate. Acupuncture outperformed drug therapy for the improvement of lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and regulation of testosterone levels. In addition, the adverse effect rate was significantly lower in the acupuncture group. [1]
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of stress-induced gastric ulcers. In a controlled laboratory study, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers determined that acupuncture outperforms the drug omeprazole for the alleviation of stress-induced gastric ulcers (SGU), while simultaneously balancing intestinal microflora. The research team (Xue et al.) identified important biochemical mechanisms elicited by acupuncture responsible for producing the therapeutic benefits. [1]
