Researchers determined that a combination of acupuncture and McKenzie physical therapy produces excellent results for patients with cervical spondylosis, a painful disorder caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Patients receiving only acupuncture had a 96.7% total effective rate and patients receiving McKenzie therapy had a 63.3% total effective rate. However, when the two therapies were combined into a comprehensive treatment protocol, the total effective rate was 100%.
Acupuncture combined with moxibustion is more effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis than meloxicam (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Researchers from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine quantified the curative effect of warm needle acupuncture using micro-CT (computed tomography). [1] In the study, acupuncture combined with moxibustion successfully improves the condition of the osteoarthritic knee bone structure. In addition, knee cartilage scores document that acupuncture with moxibustion reduces inflammation and accelerates knee cartilage repair.
Researchers find acupuncture effective for relieving allergic asthma, a type of asthma triggered by allergens (e.g., dust mites, mold, pollen, foods). Symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, sinusitis, rhinitis, a general feeling of malaise, and sneezing. In a randomized controlled trial of 1,445 patients, acupuncture provided lasting relief for six months.
Researchers conclude that acupuncture increases the effectiveness of rehabilitation exercises after knee meniscus repair surgery. [1] Patients receiving acupuncture in a controlled clinical trial had less quadriceps atrophy, limping, locking, pain, and swelling than patients receiving only rehabilitation exercises. Patients receiving acupuncture also had significantly better range of motion, stability, and the ability to walk, jump, and climb stairs.
Acupuncture stimulates cartilage repair for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Using MRIs, researchers have quantified the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Within four weeks, acupuncture successfully improves the condition of cartilage in the anterior medial and lateral tibial regions of the knee. In addition, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores document that acupuncture reduces pain and stiffness levels while simultaneously improving physical function.
Researchers find acupuncture highly effective and that scalp acupuncture is particularly important for post-stroke patients. Scalp acupuncture significantly boosts the effectiveness of body style acupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke facial paralysis. In a randomized controlled trial, researchers determined that the addition of scalp acupuncture to a standard acupuncture therapeutic regimen increases positive patient outcomes by over 20%. In the investigation, body style acupuncture achieved a 71.4% total effective rate. The addition of scalp acupuncture to the treatment protocol increased the total effective rate to 93.1%. [1] Based on the data, the researchers conclude that scalp acupuncture optimizes patient outcomes for patients with post-stroke facial paralysis.
Researchers find acupuncture effective for the treatment of Bell’s Palsy—a type of facial paralysis. In one independent investigation, electroacupuncture produced optimal results. In another investigation, warm needle acupuncture combined with vitamin and drug injections produced excellent results. Let’s take a look at the results after a brief introduction.
Acupuncture restores normal swallowing in post-stroke patients and investigators document an optimal approach to patient care. Researchers find low frequency electroacupuncture more effective than high frequency electroacupuncture for the relief of post-stroke dysphagia (difficulty or discomfort in swallowing).
Acupuncture is a proven and effective therapeutic method for the alleviation of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Hubei Hanjiang Hospital researchers compared two Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) protocols. [1] One group used acupuncture plus moxa. The other group used electroacupuncture and rehabilitation training. Both treatment protocols were effective, with the second protocol outperforming the first. Let’s take a look at the results.
Researchers find acupuncture combined with tuina massage more effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis than ibuprofen. Across two independent studies, researchers made several important findings. One important discovery is that acupuncture plus tuina produces superior treatment outcomes compared with oral intake of ibuprofen (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Keep reading, you may find some shocking information about ibuprofen therapy that may make you reconsider long-term exposure to the drug.
Investigators find acupuncture effective for the treatment of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). In a controlled study, Yiwu Central Hospital researchers conclude that acupuncture has a 90.7% total effective rate for IBS-D patients. Perhaps more importantly, acupuncture produces a 34.9% complete recovery rate. The total recovery rate accounts for all patients showing significant improvements and the complete recovery rate is a quantitative measure of all patients cured of IBS-D by acupuncture therapy.
Acupuncture, tuina, and Chinese herbal medicine are found effective for the resolution of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Zhuji No. 3 People’s Hospital researchers confirm that a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modality combining acupuncture, tuina, and acupuncture herbal plasters outperforms the drug combination of 0.9% sodium chloride, penicillin, and metronidazole for the treatment of chronic PID. Additionally, investigators confirm that acupuncture increases the effectiveness of herbs for patients with chronic PID.
Acupuncture plus herbal medicine increase the clinical effective rate of drug therapy for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In research conducted at the Hubei Maternal and Child Care Service Center, drug therapy using cyproterone acetate/ethinylestradiol and letrozole produced an 72.5% total effective rate. Using both drugs and herbal medicine produced an 85.0% total effective rate, and the rate increased to 95.0% when acupuncture was added to the treatment regimen.
Researchers find acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs effective for the treatment of tinnitus (ringing of the ears). Tinnitus is often a pernicious and intractable disorder. In this article, we will review the important research on acupuncture and herbs that demonstrates significant positive patient outcome rates. Take a close look at the results achieved by Dongzhimen Hospital researchers. Their use of electroacupuncture produces significant positive patient outcomes. First, let’s go over a few basics about ringing in the ears.
Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine researchers find two types of acupuncture effective for the treatment of essential tremor. Zone needling of the chorea tremor control area produced a 96.7% total effective rate and conventional acupuncture produced a 73.3% total effective rate. More importantly, a three month follow-up finds relapse rates are relatively low. The zone style scalp acupuncture group relapse rate was 13.81% and the conventional acupuncture relapse rate was 45.5%. The results indicate that the zone style scalp acupuncture group’s treatment protocol is more effective than the conventional acupuncture group’s protocol.
Researchers find acupuncture more effective than drugs for the treatment of insomnia. Zhejiang Chinese Medical University researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial and determined that acupuncture is more effective for the treatment of insomnia than a powerful nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drug, zopiclone. Although zopiclone is not legal for use in the USA, a drug with an identical molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms is available by prescription in the USA, that stereoisomer is eszopiclone (brand name Lunesta). Acupuncture outperformed zopiclone with a 92.9% total effective rate. Zopiclone had a 67.9% total effective rate. [1]
Researchers find acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine effective for the alleviation of urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition often referred to as enlargement of the prostate gland. Benign prostatic hyperplasia often leads to bladder, kidney, and urinary tract disorders. The prostate enlargement may block the flow of urine and cause discomfort or urinary retention. Common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia include weak urine flow or a stream of urine that starts and stops. Dribbling towards the end of urination or the incomplete emptying of the bladder are also common. There may be difficulty initiating urination, frequent or urgent urination, and nocturia (excessive urination at night).
