The Acupuncture Blog: News and Opinion of the world of Oriental Medicine

November 15, 2009

The Challenging Path to Wellness

A recent article published in the New York Times, describes the story of a diagnosed cancer patient that took wellness in her own hands, by navigating the current health and insurance systems to achieve her health success.

Story: New York Times November 13, 2009

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 09:27 PM

November 08, 2009

Acupressure Therapy Inhibits the Development of Type 2 Diabetic Complications

A 3 year study of patients with Type 2 diabetes were treated with regular medicines and participated in diet and exercise programs for the control of hyperglycemia and hypertension. The patients in the acupressure group received additional treatment of a 90-minute acupressure treatment 4–6 times per week for 3 consecutive years.

The accupressure group had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed and no significantly increased levels of serum creatinine and urine protein were detected in the AT group, as compared with that in controls.

Abstract: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine September, 2009

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 01:18 PM

November 02, 2009

Moxibustion Does Not Aid in Breech Infants

A double-blind randomized study with over 200 women reported that the use of moxibustion does not influence breech position infants.

Abstract: Obestetrics and Gynecology November, 2009

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 01:53 AM

October 26, 2009

Acupuncture Increases Skin Temperature in Brain Damaged Children

A pilot study completed at the University of Gothenburg Sweden, found that brain-damaged children have decreased skin temperature in the extremities, and by using acupuncture, also discovered a possible method to increase in skin temperature. Patients with cerebral palsy participated in the study.

Story: Physorg.com October 19, 2009

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 11:12 PM

October 19, 2009

Auricular Acupuncture Eases Back Pain in Pregnant Women

A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows that one week of continuous auricular acupuncture significantly decreases the pain and disability experienced by women with pregnancy-related low back and posterior pelvic pain.

Abstract: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology June, 2009.

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 12:44 AM

October 11, 2009

Acupuncture Decreases Ceasarean Rate

Data collected by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada have shown that acupuncture decreases the rate of ceasarean sections. Although the study has not been published the results are provided on a website -

- An overall 35% reduction in the number of inductions (for women having their first baby this was a 43% reduction)

- A 31% reduction in the epidural rate

- A 32% reduction in emergency caesarean delivery

Article: Marketwire October 9, 2009

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 09:46 PM

September 28, 2009

An Overview of Fibromyalgia and Treatments

An overview by the New York Times of fibromyalgia discusses the symptoms and how alternative medicine is now being intregrated with hard to treat conditions.

Overview

Questions and Answers

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 10:30 AM

September 16, 2009

Acupuncture Lessens Need for Antidepressant Dosage

A study published in the August edition of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine describes how the use of acupuncture helped reduce the symptoms of anxiety and side-effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine.

Abstract: Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine August 13, 2009

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 11:19 AM

August 11, 2009

Acupuncture Sensitizes Neurotransmitters

A great series of studies have been published in NeuroImage, describing the relationships between acupuncture and pain neurotransmitter modulation.

An excellent summary article has been written in the LA Times.

Abstracts: NeuroImage September, 2009.

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 01:58 PM

August 02, 2009

Americans Spend $34B for Alternative Medicine

The big news this week is a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from a survey of more than 23,000 adults nationwide in 2007. An earlier report from this survey, released in December of this year, found that more than one-third of adults use alternative medicine.

Another interesting article related to this release is the question of why. Why are Americans spending more on alternative medicine? The answers are still unclear, but it is a culmination of factors such as gaps in the current healthcare system and high number of uninsured individuals looking for less expensive and effective alternatives.

News: Associated Press July 31, 2009.

News: ABC News July 31, 2009.

Acupuncture News Update by mpence at 12:25 PM