Acupuncture increases the efficacy of drug therapy for the relief of trigeminal neuralgia by 20%. Researchers from the Affiliated Huzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University conclude that acupuncture combined with carbamazepine delivers consistent positive clinical outcomes for patients with trigeminal neuralgia, a pain disorder of the face involving the 5th cranial nerve.
Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers find acupuncture effective for the treatment of insomnia. Their controlled laboratory investigation finds acupuncture effective for the regulation of sleep latency and duration. In addition, the researchers identified important biological responses elicited by acupuncture responsible for its effective actions.
Acupuncture and herbs speed recovery for acute ankle injuries. Guilin Central Hospital researchers conclude that a comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach to patient care increases positive patient outcome rates. The researchers conclude that a combination of electroacupuncture, warm needle acupuncture, and topical herbal applications reduce inflammation and promotes faster healing in patients with acute ankle injuries.
Acupuncture regulates brain regions for ischemic stroke patients. Southern Medical University researchers gathered MRI data in a controlled clinical trial consisting of both healthy subjects and patients suffering from ischemic stroke. In a controlled human clinical trial, Waiguan (TB5) applied unilaterally to the right arm produced significant MRI findings. True acupuncture caused important changes in brain functional connectivity.
Acupuncture and herbs alleviate IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Two independent studies find Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion effective for the relief of irritable bowel syndrome. Both studies feature an integrative approach to patient care.
Acupuncture improves outcomes for patients with Meniere’s disease. Researchers find that acupuncture, when added to a standard treatment regimen, significantly reduces symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss for patients with Meniere’s disease. The researchers conclude that the combination of acupuncture with medication therapy is significantly more effective than drug monotherapy. [1]
Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conclude that acupuncture inhibits nerve cell death due to sciatic nerve impairment. A controlled laboratory investigation identified the neuroprotective role of two acupuncture techniques for impaired sciatic nerves. Shallow acupuncture and deep acupuncture at Huantiao (GB30) successfully promoted motor functional recovery, improved nerve conduction velocity, and boosted regeneration of sciatic nerve cells.
Acupuncture outperforms drugs for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University gathered objective and subjective data in a controlled clinical trial consisting of patients with chronic prostatitis. The acupuncture treatment group achieved a total effective rate of 87.5% and the drug control group achieved a total effective rate of 62.5%.
The NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) has changed the way diplomates report their acupuncture continuing education credits. The new system was implemented by the NCCAOM in November of 2018. The NCCAOM no longer accepts certificates by email.
Acupuncture enhances weight loss and improves blood chemistry in patients with simple obesity. Researchers tested the efficacy of warm needle acupuncture by adding it to a weight loss dietary program. Patient outcomes improved significantly for patients receiving acupuncture plus dietary therapy when compared with patients receiving only dietary therapy.
Acupuncture combined with drug therapy outperforms drug monotherapy for the treatment of diabetic postural hypotension (also known as orthostatic hypotension). Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial and concluded that acupuncture plus metformin outperforms metformin monotherapy for diabetic patients suffering from postural hypotension. [1]
Acupuncture and herbs prove effective for the treatment of shingles. Researchers from three independent studies conclude that acupuncture and herbal medicine significantly relieve rashes and pain associated with the herpes zoster virus (shingles). Importantly, acupuncture and herbal medicine outperformed antiviral and anti-inflammatory medications, indicating that usual care protocols are suboptimal without inclusion of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Acupuncture is effective for patients with lumbar disc protrusions. CT scans confirm that acupuncture reduces disc protrusion size and increases healthy space in the spinal canal. Along with relief from nerve compression, investigators conclude that acupuncture improves range of motion and reduces pain for patients with lumbar disc protrusions.
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of influenza. Two independent investigations confirm acupuncture’s efficacy for fighting influenza. One laboratory investigation tested acupuncture as a monotherapy and determined that acupuncture lowers mortality rates, increases serum interferon levels, and improves the phagocytosis of viruses. Another investigation finds acupuncture effective for enhancing the clinical efficaciousness of anti-viral drugs. Let’s start with the integrative investigation and we’ll look at the acupuncture monotherapy next.
Acupuncture demonstrates the ability to benefit patients with glaucoma. Modern research has determined that acupuncture benefits blood flow in the arteries of the brain and eyes. The results are confirmed with ocular blood flow (OBF) flowmeter readings for ocular pulse amplitude. Let’s take a look at the results, the acupuncture procedures that achieved the results, and a let’s start with a close look at glaucoma and the challenges it presents.
Acupuncture reduces fevers for patients with the common cold. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted a controlled clinical trial and determined that acupuncture reduces fevers and initiates a process wherein the normal body temperature is restored. The results were specific to a singular acupuncture point that was tested for efficacy.
Acupuncture alleviates sciatica and MRIs reveal that acupuncture causes important pain relief related changes in brain functional connectivity. Affiliated Huashan Hospital of Fudan University researchers gathered objective and subjective data in a controlled clinical trial consisting of patients suffering from sciatica. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores indicate that acupuncture produces significant decreases in both pain intensity levels and frequency of pain. Additionally, MRIs show that acupuncture restores pain-free connectivity related activity in the brain; acupuncture changed the functional state of the brain such that patients had greater resting states.
Acupuncture and herbs alleviate cervical spondylosis, a disorder caused by disc degeneration in the neck that results in pain and range of motion impairment. Hubei University of Medicine Dongfeng Hospital researchers conclude that acupuncture combined with herbs successfully relieves pain and regulates excess sympathetic nervous system outflows for patients with cervical spondylosis. [1] Other improvements were also observed, including reductions in dizziness, palpitations, and neck dysfunction.
Acupuncture is effective for the alleviation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University researchers compared the efficaciousness of true acupuncture and sham acupuncture. The combination of true acupuncture plus standard aerobic training produced superior patient outcomes over patients receiving sham acupuncture plus identical standard aerobic training. The researchers conclude, “the addition of acupuncture to a standard aerobic training regimen improves the exercise tolerance in COPD patients and strengthens the effectiveness of aerobic training.” In addition, they note that “acupuncture combined with aerobic training effectively improves the pulmonary function and quality of life.” [1]
Acupuncture restores brain activity and benefits chronic users of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), a drug often referred to as ecstasy or molly. Using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), Peking University researchers compared a healthy control group with a chronic MDMA user group. The research documents that acupuncture significantly improves cerebral perfusion and brain functional activity after brain damage due to chronic MDMA use. [1]
