Zak Acupuncture Case Studies In London 07967525168

Hearing loss affects 36 million Americans according to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). One third of people over 65 have hearing loss, as do half of all people over 75. Surprisingly, 18% of Baby Boomers already experience hearing loss! In 2011, there were 75 million Baby Boomers in America. Ranging in age from 47 and 66, we are generally active, healthy adults experiencing unprecedented prosperity compared to prior generations.

The study appeared Feb. 28 in the Archives of Internal Medicine.Hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of falling, according to a new study.

Johns Hopkins researchers analyzed data from more than who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2004. The participants had their hearing tested and answered questions about whether they had a fall in the past year.

The study found that people with a 25-decibel hearing loss (classified as mild) were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling than those with no hearing loss. Every additional 10 decibels of hearing loss meant an increased 1.4-fold risk of falling.

Can acupuncture help with hearing loss?

Chinese Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of TCM did a resaerch about acupuncture for sudden hearing loss.

Their electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Hegu (LI 4), Xiaxi (GB 43), Zhongzhu (TE 3),,,,they found that Electroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect on sudden hearing loss, which is better than that of the medication, and the mechanism is possibly related with regulative action on indexes of blood rheology.

Another solution: Ermen (TE 21), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Fengchi (GB 20) on the affected side, and Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5),-----Electroacupuncture plus acupoint injection is the heat therapy for sudden sensorineural deafness, and the timely intervention of acupuncture, the severity degree of the illness and the patient's age are all related to the prognosis of this disease.source:Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009 Jul;29(7):525-8

Intravenous administration of a natural antioxidant used in Chinese medicine significantly improves the recovery of hearing after sudden deafness (SD) compared with standard therapy, the results of a Chinese study indicate."The results of this study demonstrated RA [Radix Astragali] is useful for sudden deafness, and the possible mechanism may be its antioxidant property," say Min Xiong, from Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, and colleagues.
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Reference:Luo RH, Zhou J, Huang YS, Xu K,Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009 Mar;29(3):185-7

Latest research:Researchers measured the effects of acupuncture on patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is defined as a loss of 30 dB or more in 3 contiguous frequencies within three days or less. Thirty-six patients of a total of seventy-two “showed improvement” with an average gain of 24.47 dB of hearing restoration. The researchers “demonstrated that favorable prognosis was directly related to the time interval from the onset of hearing loss to the start of AT (acupuncture therapy).” For the patients that showed significant improvement, start of acupuncture treatment was within an average of 51 days from the onset of hearing loss. For the group that did not respond, the average was 167 days between onset of the illness and the beginning of acupuncture care. Variables that did not affect the outcome: vertigo, presence of hypertension, gender.

Reference:Effects and Prognostic Factors of Acupuncture Treatment for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Kyu Seok Kim and Hae Jeong Nam. Department of Ophthalmology & Otorhinolaryngology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. 2011.

Regenerating sensory hair cells, which produce electrical signals in response to vibrations within the inner ear, could form the basis for treating age- or trauma-related hearing loss. One way to do this could be with gene therapy that drives new sensory hair cells to grow.

The new story was based on a study that followed over 60,000 women for more than a decade and found that those reporting regular use of paracetamol or ibuprofen (defined as taking the drug two to three days per week, or more), were more at risk of reporting hearing loss in later life compared to those who took these painkillers less frequently.
For ibuprofen, the increase in risk ranged from 13% (when taken two to three days per week) to 24% (when taken on six or more days per week). The trend in paracetamol was less clear, but ranged from 8% to 21% increased risk, depending on the frequency at which the drug was taken. No link was found between the use of aspirin and hearing loss.

A miracle story from daily mail today.It's about Marlene Brown, 71, a retired secretary from Wembley in London had a new treatment for the urinary incontinence. What is new treatment?----Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), also referred to as posterior tibial nerve stimulation, is the least invasive forms of neuromodulation used to treat overactive bladder (OA and the associated symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency and urge incontinence. These urinary symptoms may also occur with interstitial cystitis and following a post-radical prostatectomy. Outside the United States, PTNS is also used to treat fecal incontinence.

Actually, Chinese acupuncturist treat urinary incontinence by very similar acupoints and electro acupuncture as well. And we even have more treatment style than just nerves stimulation.

To explore the effectiveness and significance of whether electrical acupuncture stimulation combining with pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) can improve the recovery of urinary continence,Chinese Shanghai Medical College has done a new research about urinary incontinence acupuncture treatment.A total of 109 patients took part in the study of novel combination treatment for urinary continence from September 2008 to September 2009.

Chinese researchers found Electrical acupuncture stimulation therapy combining with PFMT can improve the recovery of patients' urinary continence after radical prostatectomy.

So, For almost same treatment, if patient see acupuncturists,£50 per session. If patient see private doctors,they charge you £240 per session. And £150 in NHS.

That's all.
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Reference:Yang BS, Ye DW, Yao XD, Peng JY, Zhang SL, Dai B, Zhang HL, Shen YJ, Zhu Y, Zhu YP, Shi GH.Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2010 Sep;48(17):1325-1327

Simultaneous perineal ultrasound and vaginal pressure measurement prove the action of electrical pudendal nerve stimulation in treating female stress incontinence.

Very interesting blog from famous blog site Science-Based Medicine

An article (and associated news video clip) from ClickOn in Detroit is titled “Alternative treatment helps Michigan doctor beat infertility.” This is a misleading title, and the report is an example of poor science reporting.

Was She Infertile?

The patient in question was a 33-year-old family practice doctor who believed she was infertile. By definition, infertility is failure to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception. She didn’t meet that definition. She only tried for 6 months before seeing a doctor, and then for 2 more months (with some kind of unspecified medicine) and then she consulted a reproductive endocrinologist who apparently told her she was infertile because of a high FSH level. Then she “did her own research” and supposedly found that acupuncture was a key part of infertility treatment. So she sought infertility treatment from an acupuncturist.
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The Story

The news story was credulous, didn’t adequately explain the facts, and didn’t present any conflicting data or opinions. It provided two links for readers to get more information: both are extremely biased and contain misinformation. One link is to another credulous example of poor reporting from the popular media, and the other is a link to the website of the Acupuncture Center of Ann Arbor, which offers a number of questionable treatments including DHEA and bioidentical hormones.

There was nothing from skeptics or from patients who had acupuncture and did not get pregnant. There wasn’t even the usual token effort to present “both sides” of a controversial story. This is not good science journalism. It isn’t even science journalism. It amounts to irresponsible sensationalism and free advertising for the Acupuncture Center of Ann Arbor.

Bottom Line

This woman did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of infertility when she started seeking treatment. There’s every reason to think she got pregnant just in the natural course of things, and no reason to think acupuncture had any effect. The news report and article are a travesty. Detroit deserves better.

So, what's your opinion?

A two-and-a-half year study of more than 10,500 adults who were taking prescribed sleeping tablets found that those who took between 18 and 132 doses per year were 4.6 times more likely to die early.

Even those who took less than 18 pills a year were 3.6 times more likely to die than those who did not take the sleeping aids, according to experts at the Jackson Hole Centre for Preventive Medicine in Jackson, Wyoming, and the Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Centre in San Diego.

The main attractions of acupuncture compared to sleeping pills or other medication is that it doesn't have any side effects, it has a high success rate and it is considered a holistic treatment. That said, any treatment for insomnia needs to approach the condition in a cautious manner. Insomnia is not an illness in itself - with some very few exceptions - but rather a manifestation of some underlying problem. A sleep disorder can have many causes, for example depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement or emotional upset. Thus insomnia cures take time, there's no such thing as a "quick fix"
Chinese General Hospital of People's Liberation Army has published a new research about this.

They found that the total sleep time and deep sleep time of sleep architecture in the scalp penetration acupuncture group significantly increased as compared with those in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.01).

Their conclusion: The therapeutic effects of scalp penetration acupuncture are better than those of routine acupuncture, especially for improving sleep quality, sleep time and sleep efficiency.

Another Brazilian researchers have done research about this condition, they found A single session of either MA or EA( electro acupuncture) 10 Hz had an acute effect in reducing the AHI as well as the number of nocturnal respiratory events of patients presenting with moderate OSA.

Acupuncture also can treat sinusitis and allergic reactions, which cause snoring,Acupuncture opens blocked nasal passages.Acupuncture decreases mucus in airways, which cause snoring.And acupuncture help you lose weight.
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Reference:Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2010 Feb;8(2):126-30.
Freire AO, Sugai GC, Togeiro SM, Mello LE, Tufik S.Acupunct Med. 2010 Jun 15.

Acupuncture had effects on the quality of sleep in the studied sample, presenting itself as a complementary technique for treating sleep disorders and consequently improving the quality of life in this population.(
Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2012 Feb;46(1):82-88)

Things to do:
• Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, including weekends.
• Exercise earlier in the day. Being active during the day does improve sleep at night. But working out within 2 to 3 hours of bedtime can interfere with slumber by raising your body.
• Unwind before bed with something that you find relaxing like a warm bath or a good book.
• Use your bed only for sex and sleep.
• Turn off your phone and other electronics, since light-emitting screens discourage sleep. Nearly 40 percent of respondents with sleep woes admitted to falling asleep with the TV on while 31 percent left their cell phone on while they slept and 8 percent checked that phone during the night.

Things not to do:
• Drink caffeine within 6 hours of going to bed.
• Nap after 3 pm.
• Eat a big meal right before you bed. But a small snack made up a carbohydrate and a protein, such as peanut butter on crackers, is OK and might even help.
• Drink alcohol within 4 to 6 hours of bedtime.

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Two powerful brain chemical systems work together to paralyze skeletal muscles during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, according to new research. The finding may help scientists better understand and treat sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, tooth grinding, and REM sleep behavior disorder.

According to straitstimes.com

An Singapore acupuncturist has been suspended for three years for prescribing medicine to his patients even though he was not licensed to do so.

Mr Tan Kang Hok from Poh Kong Medical Hall will not be allowed to practice as an acupuncturist here for three years starting from Feb 1.

On one occasions, he gave an orange-red pill to a patient who then developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a life-threatening skin disorder caused by an extreme allergy. The pill was later found by the Health Sciences Authority to contain Piroxicam, which is controlled under the Poisons Act.

Ah,dear!

Dysmenorrhoea, known as period pain, is commonly experienced by younger women. Symptoms may include cramping pain in the lower abdomen that may radiate to the lower back or anterior thigh, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and dizziness. The review found some evidence for the use of acupuncture in managing period pain. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies and study participants. No significant adverse effects were identified in this review.Dysmenorrhea is a gynecological medical condition of pain during menstruation that interferes with daily activities, dysmenorrhea is often defined simply as menstrual pain.A study in the journal Evidence-based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine demonstrated a significant beneficial effect when acupuncture treatments were administered to patients who were suffering from dysmenorrhea resistant to conventional medical treatment.

Whose acupoints should be selected for Dyemenorrhea?

To evaluate the effects of noninvasive acupoint stimulation therapy with middle-frequency electrical waves on dysmenorrhea in young women,Taiwan Adventist Hospital has done a research about this,their randomized controlled trial enrolled 66 gynecology patients who had primary dysmenorrhea, which was defined as painful menstruation without pelvic pathology (secondary dysmenorrhea).Acupuncture-like trancutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (AL-TENS) of middle-frequency (1000 Hz-10,000 Hz) was applied at Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points in the experimental group twice weekly for 8 weeks; the control group received AL-TENS on nonacupoints.

Their conclusions: Noninvasive electro-acupuncture stimulation therapy with middle-frequency electric waves applied at both Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints mitigates pain in dysmenorrhea.
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Reference:Wu LL, Su CH, Liu CF,J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Feb;18(2):137-42.

Germany has some 500,000 acupuncture doctors. Every year some 1.5 million patients visit acupuncture doctors to treat their pain, asthma, allergies, addictions, and many other acute or chronic diseases. Some 1,000 Chinese Medicine clinics are scattered throughout Germany.

"Many doctors and patients have had success with acupuncture and many successful individual applications of acupuncture have been recorded," said German Minister of Health Ulla Schmidt. She said her ministry would continue to offer help for acupuncture research and therapy in Germany.

Five big acupuncture research centers are now financed by the German government. German insurance companies spend some 600 million marks (260 million U.S. dollars) a year for acupuncture therapy. [1]

. In Germany acupuncture has been reimbursed by the state insurance system for chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis since 2007 and the estimated costs are between EUR 300-700 million annually. Acupuncture is offered by at least 12,000 medical doctors and acupuncture is mostly used for locomotive disorders.[2]
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Reference:[1]http://english.people.com.cn/english/200106/19/eng20010619_72957.html___##0##___ [2]Orthopade. 2012 Feb;41(2):100-5.

Male infertility is the cause of 50% of infertility problems.

For couples planning for pregnancy or having issues becoming pregnant, SpermCheck® Fertility is the one and only, over-the-counter home test for men that indicates in just 10 minutes if a man has normal or low sperm count.

SpermCheck® Fertility is a simple and reliable, FDA-approved male fertility product that provides quick, reliable sperm screening. The SpermCheck® kit can be used in the privacy of your own home, which can quickly inform men as to whether their sperm count is normal or low.

Because low sperm count is a leading cause of male infertility, an important first step in planning for a pregnancy or determining the cause of a couple’s current infertility issues is to test the man’s sperm count.

When a man drinks to excess, smokes or otherwise behaves unhealthily, it probably won't damage his sperm, a new British study contends.

Evidence for a drop in sperm quality and quantity has included anecdotal reports from sperm banks as well as larger scientific studies. For instance, one sperm bank in Israel says that when it opened its doors 1991, it turned away about a third of the applicants for low quality. Using the same standard today, it would reject more than 80 percent, according to an article in the LA Times. And while the jury is still out on whether there is a real "sperm decline" and what that means for fertility, scientists say if the little swimmers are truly changing, it may be a red flag for harmful environmental toxins or even physiological changes in the human body.

Infertility is on the rise among Indian men, the country's Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said.The Health Minister said Friday that studies have also revealed that the sperm count and sperm quality of Indian men are also affected, local media reported Saturday.Problems with sperm can be categorised as:aspermia (absence of ejaculate),asthenospermia (poor motility and forward movement),azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen),oligospermia (lowered sperm density)
teratospermia (containing bizarre and immature forms),antisperm antibodies

a new study in the journal Human Reproduction that found men with wider variation in sperm length, particularly in the flagellum, had lower concentrations of sperm that could swim well. Those with more consistently made sperm seemed to have more capable ones.

Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count?

Research from Israel showed acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.

Reference:Andrologia. 2000 Jan;32(1):31-9.
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Now research into a key aspect of male fertility - how sperm cells swim - has enabled scientists at the University of Birmingham to identify potential new treatments that can "supercharge" men's reproductive cells.The scientists have discovered chemical compounds that increase the swimming ability of sperm cells and they believe this can help to boost the number of cells capable of reaching a woman's egg.

But certain types of jobs seemed to be associated with an increased risk of having a child with a birth defect in three or more categories.

These included: mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists; artists; photographers and photo processors; food service workers; landscapers and groundsmen; hairdressers and make-up artists; office and admin support workers; office and admin support workers; sawmill operatives; those working with petrol and gas; those working in chemical industries; printers; those operating cranes and diggers; and drivers.

Five thing-- Fruits and veggies, air filters, spring breezes, procrastination and self-medication -- each can delay relief from a stuffy nose, sneezing, sniffling or other symptoms,according to The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)

Allergic rhinitis is a condition where an allergen (something that causes an allergic reaction) makes the inside of your nose inflamed (swollen).hay fever is caused by the immune system’s super- sensitivity to allergy triggers called allergens.If you suffer from a mood disorder and hay fever, don't be surprised if your mood worsens when pollen season rolls around.Preliminary research shows that people with depression or bipolar disorder who are allergic to tree or ragweed pollen experience worse depression when exposed to that allergen.

Carbon dioxide emissions may be raising pollen counts in European cities, according to a continent-wide study.

In the case of hay fever, it is often aggravated by a pathogen, which causes problems in the respiratory system, and acupuncture uses needles to restore the normal functioning of this system.Because of the way acupuncture can calm a hyper-sensitive immune system, the time to go for a treatment is two to three months before the start of the hay fever season, thus reducing, and eventually completely alleviating allergic reaction in the future. This is particularly important for those teenagers and students who have major exams looming.

Treatment:
1,Cold acupuncture: Dashu, Gaohuang, Fengmen,Pishu,Feishu,Shenshu.
2,General acupuncture: Common use:Yintang,Bitong
Support point:Baihui, Yingxiang,Hegu,Fengchi
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Reference: Walesonline, Chinese acupoint,etc

Dr. Tiejun Tang, a leading Chinese medical clinician and scholar, qualified in China 28 years ago with degrees of BSc, MSc and PhD. Before he came to London in 2005, he had worked in many prestigious hospitals including top Chinese military university hospitals as a medical doctor and associated professor. Now he is education director of Asante and link tutor to Middlesex University. He is also in charge of NHS Whittington Hospital's acupuncture pain clinic.

His speciality is in gastro-intestinal problems and cardio-vascular diseases. He is also experienced in treating arthritis, asthma, hay fever, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine, infertility, gynaecology disease, dermal disease, and repetitive strain injury.

Apart from his vast clinical experience, he has also published many articles and books about Chinese medicine in Chinese and English, especially his PhD work, under the supervision of the most famous grandmaster professor Tietao Deng, was well received in Chinese medicine field.

He speaks good English has easy going character. He is one of the most popular doctors in Asante.
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Dr Tiejun Tang used studied and taught TCM in five different famous universities in China. He worked as a TCM doctor in two top hospitals of China. Under the tutelage of famous professor Deng Tietao he gained his PhD degree in 1998.

Dr Tang had published over 40 papers and academic books in China. He had been elected as a council member and research executive of the ATCM (UK). His academic blog has been browsed by thousands of readers from all over the word.

Dr Tang's MSc. research was focused on the local immune function of gastro-intestinal disease and the intervention of Chinese herbs. His PhD research was focused on the mechanisms of Chinese herbs for improving myocardial ischemia. He is an expert on many gastro-intestinal diseases and cardio-vascular diseases. He also experienced at treat arthritis, asthma, hay fever, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine, infertility, gynaecology disease, dermal disease, and many repetitive strain injury.

Work-related stress has “soared” by 40% and absentee rates by 25% during the recession, according to the Daily Mail. The newspaper today reported that “job security, poor communication and managerial direction could be to blame for the trend.

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, added: ''Concerns about money and debt place huge pressure on people's mental well-being, so it is not surprising if stress and anxiety rise in times of economic crisis.
''We know that the outcomes of recessions – rising debt, unemployment and insecure housing – are associated with poorer mental health in individuals and poorer mental health is often linked to poorer physical health.
''Sustained periods of stress, anxiety and depression can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease."

Low level stress can raise the risk of fatal heart attacks and stroke by twenty per cent, scientists have warned.Research has found symptoms of anxiety or depression, known as psychological distress, increases mortality rates from several major causes.But, alarmingly, the risk rose among those at the lower end of the scale who would not usually come to the attention of mental health services - about a quarter of people.

Severe depression and chronic stress can shrink the brain by blocking the formation of new nerve connections, a study has shown.The effect disrupts circuits associated with mental functioning and emotion.It could explain why people with major depressive disorder (MDD) suffer from concentration and memory loss, as well as blunted emotional responses.

Research by Dipesh Chaudhury of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York shows that traumatic events appear to cause depression by derailing the brain’s so-called reward system, which normally causes pleasurable feelings whenever we engage in fun activities like spending time with friends. People who have suffered major stress, such as soldiers returning from combat, often report that they no longer find pleasure in these things.

It was found that America’s primary care physicians do not ask about stress because it is a time issue. The average Doctor visit is 10-15 minutes in duration. For the Doctors who did consult for stress and/or anxiety management reported longer office consultations, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine study. It was also noted that the low rate of stress counseling by MD’s has not been incorporated into primary care to the extent of other types, such as acupuncture. Acupuncture office visits typically last anywhere from 1-1.5 hours in duration. During each visit, every person gets a whole body assessment, discussing anything from stress/anxiety, digestion, bowel movements, headaches, night sweats, etc. Each treatment is tailored specifically to what each patient is going through. It is for this reason that acupuncture is also considered preventative medicine.

In Chinese medicine, stress, anxiety, depression or any strong emotion interrupts the smooth flow of energy throughout the body.  According to Chinese medical theory, energy flows through our body through a network of “roads”, almost like a highway system.  Stress, anger, or any intense emotion acts like a traffic jam, blocking the free flow of energy in the body.Through acupuncture, theses energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points serve as the on and off ramps to the energy highway, and can help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself.

Regular acupuncture treatments can help strengthen your body so you're better able to deal with the day-to-day stresses of life. Acupuncture can also leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

'It has long been thought that acupuncture can reduce stress, but this is the first study to show molecular proof of this benefit', according to DailymailNew research published in Experimental Biology and Medicine (Royal Society of Medicine Press) concludes that acupuncture prevents the harmful production of chemicals created by stress. The researchers sought to measure the mechanisms by which acupuncture reduces chronic stress. When exposed to stress, a chemical is produced called neuropeptide Y (NPY).

Parents with a higher number of stressors in their lives are more likely to have obese children, according to a new study by pediatric researchers. Furthermore, when parents perceive themselves to be stressed, their children eat fast food more often, compared to children whose parents feel less stressed.

A study found lifting weighty objects can affect mental health, causing people to subconsciously dwell on serious or depressing matters.

Moderate exercise may help people cope with anxiety and stress for an extended period of time post-workout, according to a study by kinesiology researchers in the University of Maryland School of Public Health published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

Got stress-related stress? Tre acupuncture!

10.Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (辽宁中医药大学
9.Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (湖南中医药大学
8.Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (天津中医药大学
7.Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine (黑龙江中医药大学
6.Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (山东中医药大学
5Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (成都中医药大学
4.Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (南京中医药大学
3.Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (上海中医药大学
2.Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (广州中医药大学
1.Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (北京中医药大学

Reference:China.org.cn

According to medicinenet ---Researchers monitored healthy women in their third trimester before and after 30 minutes on a treadmill and found no problems with measures of fetal well-being, including heart rate and blood flow. The results were similar whether or not the women exercised on a regular basis.

The findings are in line with the recommendation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that healthy pregnant women get at least two and a half hours of medium-intensity aerobic exercise a week even if they did not exercise before becoming pregnant. Exercise improves heart health and may reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as developing high blood pressure and diabetes.

However, research indicates that women tend to exercise less when pregnant, and most fall short of the government guidelines. "Many women say their doctor told them they should cut back on exercise"

Ok, Excercise, anything else?

Germany Philipps University has published a new research about Use of complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy and delivery.

They found that Some 205 patients completed the questionnaire at a response rate of 43.2% (205/475) and 104 women used CAM during pregnancy, especially homoeopathy, acupuncture, and phytotherapy.

Their conclusion is In accordance with earlier studies from Germany, we determined the most important methods used in the field of obstetrics. Interestingly, these are not evidence-based and those methods which are evidence-based are not now used. Also, the predictors of CAM use in pregnancy were similar to those in oncology. Future studies should focus on the safety and efficacy of CAM in pregnancy.
Pregnancy is normally full of difficulties and problems, and for women suffering from depression while carrying a child, it can be worse. Taking anti-depressants during pregnancy can often lead to miscarriage, still birth or an abnormal birth. Acupuncture is gaining popularity as a reliable and safe treatment for depression during pregnancy.

Acupuncture doesn't involve the use of any drug in treatment for depression which means that during pregnancy, there would be no intake of chemicals by the mother. Acupuncture healing uses small needles that are inserted into the body at certain pressure points in order to resolve depression problems. Acupuncture treatment is chiefly based on increasing or harmonizing the life energy, which is regulating emotional, mental, and the physical balance of the body. So we can say that depression, nervousness and stress occur by abnormal emotions during pregnancy.

The ADA's mouthhealthy.org website offers these oral hygiene tips for moms-to-be:

Brush your teeth twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste.
Carefully floss between teeth at least once daily.
Limit snacks and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse if your dentist recommends one.
If you have morning sickness, rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda and water.

Endometriosis increases ovarian cancer risk--- This is from today telegraph

Women who suffer from endometriosis are at more than twice the risk of developing three common forms of ovarian cancer, according to new research.

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue (endometrium) normally lining the womb (or uterus) grows on different organs outside the uterus.If the endometrium grows within the muscular layer of the womb it is called adenomyosis, which is just a different type of endometriosis.Endometriosis is a very common condition affecting up to 10 per cent of women between 16 and 50 years of age, often without producing any symptoms.In severe cases, formation of connecting tissues around endometriosis near the Fallopian tubes or ovaries may reduce fertility.Treatments include surgery, oral contraceptives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. GnRH agonists to lower estrogen levels are used but may cause endometrial atrophy and amenorrhea.

The study which published in the New England Journal of Medicine cites acupuncture as effective for the treatment of pain related to endometriosis.It mentions the effectiveness of Japanese acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical stimulation for the treatment of endometriosis. The publication notes that a randomized, sham-controlled trial of women suffering from endometriosis pain demonstrated that acupuncture was an effective treatment modality.
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References Endometriosis. Linda C. Giudice, M.D., Ph.D. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:2389-2398June 24, 2010.

Alopecia means 'loss of hair' or 'baldness'. There are several different causes and patterns of alopecia. Alopecia areata is one type of hair loss. The exact number of people affected by alopecia areata is not known. Estimates vary between 1 in 1000 to 2 in 100 people being affected at some point in their life. Alopecia occurs when a person's immune system becomes confused and attacks the body's hair follicles. This causes the hair to fall out leaving bald patches that can eventually spread across the entire head. Eyebrows and eyelashes can also be affected.

Joanna Rowsell is a cyclist on the Great Britain Cycling Team and currently training for the Team Pursuit at the London 2012 Olympics. She has been World Champion in 2008 and 2009 and is the current European Champion and World Record Holder.Joanna Rowsell has alopecia areata - a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles.

Finasteride, a hair-loss medication reportedly used by footballer Wayne Rooney, 'could cause permanent impotence and shrink genitals in some men' says the Daily Mail.The story is based on two sources. The first is a US TV interview with a man who claimed his genitals shrunk after taking Propecia (finasteride), a drug used to treat male pattern baldness. The second, more verifiable source, is a study that found that finasteride could cause persistent loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

In recent years, acupuncture treatment on the mechanism of alopecia areata has received much attention. A wrinkle by microcirculation observation, the majority of patients with alopecia areata varying degrees of microcirculatory disorders, suggesting that microcirculatory dysfunction caused localized ischemia resulting in hair loss hair follicle. The experimental study confirmed that the plum blossom -- such as needle method, the follicles surrounding increase in the number of small blood vessels, promoting microcirculation, hair cells ball separatist activities, for therapeutic purposes. Presently there is a 30% success rate that people have experienced with acupuncture as a way to eliminate their alopecia problems. Many people would say that the numbers are too low to get them to even want to try the procedure, however a 30% chance opposed to not trying anything at all is deemed better then your odds presently are. So instead of sitting around and doing nothing many people have begun to try this theory to see if it would work on them.The truth of the matter is if the procedure does not work there are always other avenues that you can take to help you solve your problem.
But, in another introspect if acupuncture is able to clear your alopecia problem completely it would be worth a try in all means. People often times look at the negative things instead of the positive,this is kind of a scenario of you can't knock the procedures until you
try them for yourself.

Body acupuncture
Points
Main Points : Baihui, Touwei, Ashi, Shengfa, Fanglao, Jiannao
Points allocation : Yiming, Shangxing, Taiyang, Fengchi, Waiguan Tianjing

What's your experience?
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Two Merck & Co. drugs -- one to treat hair loss in men, the other to treat an enlarged prostate gland -- will get revised labels warning of potential sexual problem side effects that can last even after patients stop taking the drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said(FDA)

Stroke is responsible for increasingly high rates of mortality and disability worldwide. Approximately two million people suffer from stroke for the first time in China each year. The high incidence (50%) of post-stroke disability brings a heavy burden to patients and their caregivers. Acupuncture has been widely used in the communities for post-stroke rehabilitation in China.

Low vitamin D levels increased the chance of having the more common type of stroke, known as an ischaemic stroke, where a clot becomes lodged in a brain blood vessel.However, low levels did not affect the likelihood of the other type, called a haemorrhagic stroke, caused by a burst brain blood vessel.

Spanish scientists looked at participants' levels of chronic stress and biological risk factors. They found that quick-tempered, aggressive people were more likely to suffer a stroke which kills 67,000 Britons a year.

Cerebral ischemia--the reduction or loss of oxygen to the cerebrum; prolonged ischemia may lead to cerebral infarction,Cerebral ischemia is one of the most common diseases treated by acupuncture therapeutics. Recent studies indicated that acupuncture treatment by needling the conception and governor vessels had positive effects in promoting neural regeneration in patients after cerebral ischemia injury. To present an exhaustive review on this mechanisms, Chinese Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has done a research about this to explain why Acupuncture intervention could continuously promote the proliferation and differentiation of the neural stem cells in the brain, obviously up-regulate expression of growth factors, accelerate angiogenesis and inhibit apoptosis.

The research shows that acupuncture plays an important role in angiogenesis- the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Acupuncture at GV20 and GV14 (Dazhui) increases neural repair following cerebral ischemia. The research also documents that acupuncture at GV20 and GV14 effects the contents and expressions of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). The researchers note that the influence of acupuncture on STATs indicates that acupuncture activates bodily self-protection and reduction of “apoptosis of the nerve cells in and around the ischemic focus.”

Acupuncture can be a very helpful therapy during the stroke rehabilitation process. As with other types of therapies, acupuncture tends to have the most positive effect on stroke recovery if treatment is started as early on as possible, ideally within the first 3 to 6 months of the stroke.Acupuncture treatments can offer the stroke patient improvements in the areas of walking, balance, emotions, quality of life, ease of daily activity, and mobility. Studies show that acupuncture can have an effect on nerve regeneration, blood viscosity and blood pressure, hormone regulation, and aid surviving nerve cells in finding new pathways. Acupuncture is also helpful in the treatment of headache, dizziness and hypertension. Because a stroke is a more complex problem, treating this condition with acupuncture will take a series of treatments in order to improve symptoms and achieve the best results.
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Reference: Yang ZX, Chen PD, Yu HB, Luo WS, Wu YG, Pi M, Peng JH, Liu YF, Zhang SY, Gou YH.Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 Jan;10(1):19-24.

New research:New research concludes that acupuncture is an “effective therapy for CVS (cerebrovascular vasospasm) after subarachnoid hemorrhage.” A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding between the brain and the tissues that cover it, often caused by an aneurysm. Cerebral vasospasm onset usually takes 4 - 10 days to develop following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The cerebral blood vessel spasms may lead to vasoconstriction and subsequent cerebral ischemia, which causes necrosis and potentiates a stroke.

ScienceDaily (Oct. 31, 2012) — A new ground-breaking study about to be published in the Adis journal CNS Drugs provides clinical evidence that, for the first time, chronic neurological dysfunction from stroke or traumatic brain injury can rapidly improve following a single dose of a drug that targets brain inflammation, even years after the stroke or traumatic event.

Acute low back pain is most often caused by a sudden injury to the muscles and ligaments supporting the back. The pain may be caused by muscle spasms or a strain or tear in the muscles and ligaments

Causes of sudden low back pain include:

Compression fractures to the spine from osteoporosis
Cancer involving the spinal cord
Fracture of the spinal cord
Muscle spasm (very tense muscles that remain contracted)
Ruptured or herniated disk
Sciatica
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Spine curvatures (like scoliosis or kyphosis), which may be inherited and seen in children or teens
Strain or tears to the muscles or ligaments supporting the back.

Certain red flags should prompt aggressive treatment or referral to a spine specialist.

According to University of North Carolina School of Medicine research.

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic techniques are no more effective than established medical treatments, and adding them to established treatments does not improve outcomes. No substantial benefit has been shown with oral steroids, acupuncture, massage, traction, lumbar supports, or regular exercise programs.
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Reference:Casazza BA.Am Fam Physician. 2012 Feb 15;85(4):343-50.

So for faster results which could mean getting back on-the-job or back to daily activities sooner than later, the evidence-based guidelines remain the first choice for treatment of acute episodes of low back pain.

The study estimates that the current UK prevalence of late stage AMD is actually 2.4% of the adult population (513,000 cases) and that this figure is set to rise by one-third over the next decade, totalling nearly 700,000 cases by 2020.The study was carried out by researchers from the University of London and was funded by the Macular Diseases Society. A spokesperson for the society reportedly called for the government to give AMD a higher priority.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving.AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. AMD causes no pain.Seniors who take aspirin daily are twice as likely to have late stage macular degeneration, an age-related loss of vision, than people who never take the pain reliever, a new European study reports.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, especially in developed countries, and there is currently no known treatment or cure or for the vast majority of AMD patients. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Genome Medicine has identified genes whose expression levels can identify people with AMD, as well as tell apart AMD subtypes.

Can acupuncture help?

Chinese TCM Hospital of Henan Province has done a research about this treatment,Their eighty-four cases (ninety affected eyes) with AMD were randomly devided into an acupuncture group (fifty-six cases, sixty eyes)and a medication group (twenty-eight cases,thirty eyes). In the acupuncture group, Guangming (GB 37), Jingming(BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Sibai (ST 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Tongziliao (GB 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Fenglong (ST 40) were punctured. The medication group was treated by oral administration of Vitamin C and Vitamin E and intramuscular injection of Entodon. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after treatment.

Their conclusion is Acupuncture has a good clinical effect on AMD.
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Reference:Jiao NJ.Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2011 Jan;31(1):43-5.

People with mild vascular disease that causes damage to the retina in the eye are more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills because they may also have vascular disease in the brain, according to a study published in the March 14, 2012, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The campaign to close down complementary and alternative medicine courses at universities is moving down under. A new group called the Friends of Science in Medicine ( FSM) wants to stop what it calls “pseudoscience” on campus, and vice chancellors at many of Australia’s universities are in its sights,The campaign is targeting many modalities, from acupuncture, naturopathy, and chiropractic to energy medicine, homeopathy, and tactile healing.

FSM is hoping to influence universities (at least the reputable ones) to declare their support for science courses that are in fact evidence-based and adhere to accepted scientific methodology. It will then have a go at trying to influence the government, which helps fund these courses and uses taxpayers’ money to allow health fund rebates for “treatments” with these demonstrably ineffective pseudoscientific therapies.

Steven L. Salzberg, PhD, professor of medicine and biostatistics in the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland,says that Pharmaceuticals are "just conventional medicine," he said. "And then they throw in something which is just complete quackery in the middle," referring to TCM and acupuncture. He noted that all recent studies of acupuncture showed it is no better than placebo, and that the positive studies have been too small or poorly designed, in his opinion.

So is this a reasonable reassertion of scientific principles or a bellicose, tribal attack on the competition?
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Official bodies exist to investigate serious complaints of misconduct about doctors, nurses and allied health professionals (although there is no guarantee that a patient will be happy with the outcome of an inquiry or that the findings will be made public). But the increasing number of Australians turning to complementary and alternative health providers for advice and therapies can be left uncertain about the qualifications of a person claiming to be a naturopath, herbal medicine practitioner or wellness adviser.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) says the standard has been set too low for the registration of Chinese medicine practitioners.
AMA president Steve Hambleton says the association wants the same standards held for Chinese medicine practitioners as doctors.
"We believe the registration standards are quite low and too low," he said.

To suggest that TCM education be removed from universities is against the interest of your safety as a consumer. The same goes for the other healthcare disciplines. You want to know that a practitioner you are trusting with your healthcare has at least a minimum level of education from a reputable institution,

According to Chinese study about CAM research.

(1) CAM research has attracted attention from all over the world, and it will enter a rapid development stage in the future; (2) Treatment and prevention of neoplasm is a consistent key subject and research field in global CAM research; (3) Elucidating clinical effects, mechanisms of action, and safety of major CAM methods contitutes the most important task; (4) Studies on mind-body medicine have increased in recent years, so clinical evaluation and studies of mind-body interventions should be supported; (5) Research has been done increasingly for identification of the clinical effects and biological mechanisms of CAM interventions in symptom management; (6) Research on CAM will stimulate the development of modern medical model; (7) TCM is an active discipline of CAM, and China will thus face increasing challenges. Reference:Tong YY, He W, Yang C, Zhang B, Du J, Zhao YK.zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2012 Jun;10(6):597-603. Chinese.

Houston had entered addiction treatment at least three times. Each effort at recovery was followed by relapse.

Addiction treatment can take whatever form is best for an individual.And the treatment community has worked hard to customize treatment to each person's particular needs.The best predictor of treatment success is how long an addicted person stays in treatment.

According to the eastern medical science, alcohol and drug abuse, by a person, occurs in response to an inner turmoil or anguish that perpetuates the addict to quell it via the use of such objects. While a person is kept far from alcohol, this fire is extinguished by the techniques of acupuncture that provide calmness and relaxation to the burning insides of the person's mind and body. Thus, it assists in relieving the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism. Alcohol dependence acupuncture is a useful method for fixing the urges for alcohol requirement in an addict.

Hospital of Korean Medicine did a research about acupuncture and alcohol dependence.Their results of the included studies were equivocal, and the poor methodological quality and the limited number of the trials do not allow any conclusion about the efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of alcohol dependence. More research and well-designed, rigorous, and large clinical trials are necessary to address these issues.This analgesic effect of acupuncture is very suitable for each drug detoxification program, because it helpsCushion withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction. In cases of cocaine addiction is well known that acupuncture can be helpful. In fact, studies have found that the analgesic effect of acupuncture effective for up to 85 percent to bring significant relief, compared with 70 percent of the effectiveness of morphine.

Think about acupuncture!
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Reference:Raith W, Kutschera J, Müller W, Urlesberger B.Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 2010 Jun;214(3):103-7. Epub 2010 Jun 22

Acupuncture for the treatment of opiate addiction.

According to research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Women who developed pregnancy-related hypertension (preeclampsia) or diabetes were at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life.

High Blood Pressure can become a pregnancy related complication in which case it is called Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). If a woman is also experiencing edema (excessive fluid retention) and has protein in her urine (determined with a dipstick test in a urine sample), this condition is referred to as preeclampsia.

Can acupuncture help? An experienced acupuncturist will determine a woman’s pattern of imbalance (in this case some possibilities include Liver Blood deficiency, Liver and Kidney yin deficiency, Spleen Yang Deficiency, Liver Yang Rising) and treat her specific condition.As the body’s internal climate is re-balanced, the kidneys are able to regenerate and refocus, allowing for a smoother flow of blood and an increased tone of the vasculature. Acupuncture protocol for balancing blood pressure is fine tuned to the unique constitution and health of the individual. Often the liver meridian is imbalanced, due to the stress of modern life as well as the demands of pregnancy, and a phenomenon known as liver yang (excess energy) rises upward, contributing to hypertension. Numerous acupuncture points are renowned for subduing this tendency.If you are pregnant and are suffering from high blood pressure, or symptoms such as oedema, headaches, etc I strongly encourage you to undergo Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Hypertension treatments to relieve any unconscious stresses and help encourage your blood pressure to lower and stabilize.

A woman who experiences complications during pregnancy should be proactive and ask her doctor about future CVD risk and steps she should take to modify her risk,doctor mentioned.

According to ScienceDaily (Feb. 15, 2012) — Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a common treatment for patients with chronic pain or movement disorders. Now a unique set of experiments shows that electrical stimulation in some of the same brain areas can also affect respiratory function, according to a study in the February issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Their study provides valuable new information on the brain's involvement in governing lung function via the autonomic nervous system. Continued research might lead to the development of new approaches to treatment for lung diseases -- especially asthma and COPD.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a serious lung disease which makes it hard to breathe. Also known by other names, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, COPD is now the 4th leading cause of death in the United States and also causes long-term disability.COPD is characterised by poorly reversible airflow obstruction and progressive symptoms. Exacerbation of COPD is a clinical diagnosis of exclusion and there are many causes of worsening symptoms in a patient with underlying COPD that should be considered.

Japanese release a new research about acupuncture for COPD.Their conclusions: The study demonstrated that acupuncture contributed to the reduction of COPD-related dyspnea on exercise in 15 matched-pair parallel subjects.[1]

Acupuncture may be construed as a form of deep brain stimulation via systematic stimulation of the skin. It may therefore one day prove to be an effective tool in the battle against COPD.
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Reference:[1]J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Nov;14(9):1097-1105

Britain is now the whiplash capital of Europe--according to UK media

Whiplash occurs when the soft tissue in the spine is stretched and strained after the body is thrown in a sudden, forceful jerk. The injury most commonly occurs in car crashes involving sudden deceleration, but the injury can also occur in other strenuous physical activities such as diving.

Can acupuncture help?

According to TCM pathogenesis analysis, during the strain and sprain, Qi is first shocked, then moves fast, causing congestion and stagnation (Qi Stagnation). And when Qi stagnates, blood circulation will be impeded and blood will coagulate (Blood Stasis).When Qi and blood are impaired, body fluid is also involved so the body fluid metabolism becomes disordered. Gradually, the body produces Turbid Phlegm which then blocks the meridian circulation. This is why the patient complains of pain and numbness of the neck and extremities.

Acupuncture has proved to be very effective in relieving the neck pain and other symptoms associated with whiplash injuries.In some cases acupuncture has helped whiplash patients suffering long-term symptoms where conventional approaches such as: physical therapy, chiropractic and pain medications have showed little improvement.

To compare the effectiveness of acupuncture with simulated acupuncture in patients with sub-acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders,Australian University of Sydney has done a research about this.Their 124 patients between 18 and 65 years with chronic (85%) or sub-acute WAD (grade I or II) were randomly allocated to real or simulated electro-acupuncture treatment for 12 sessions during a six week period. Both treatments involved skin penetration with acupuncture needles and were provided by a single university trained acupuncturist in a University Clinic in Sydney, Australia. They found that real electro-acupuncture was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity over at least 6 months. This reduction was probably not clinically significant. There was no improvement in disability or quality of life.[1]

Case study from BMJ

A 69 year-old woman presented in the surgery because of a whiplash-type injury. Because of progressive headache and dizziness since the accident, and because she had developed rhinitis and intermittent flashes of the left visual field, she was admitted to the neurological department on suspicion of subdural haematoma and possible fracture of the skull. Neurological examination and a CT scan were normal and she was discharged. Because of persisting headaches, and dizziness, her own general practitioner decided to use acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture was given at points GB20 GB21 and SI16 bilaterally and directly over the site in the forehead, where she fell. After 6 weeks treatment, the dizziness disappeared, and after two additional treatments the rhinitis and headache disappeared. At follow-up 6 months after cessation of treatment, the patient had only intermittent dizziness, with no headaches, visual disturbances or rhinitis.

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Reference:[1]Cameron ID, Wang E, Sindhusake D.Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Apr 7

The University of Bridgeport announced a new scholarship for one of its Acupuncture Institute student to learn more about traditional Chinese medicine in Shanghai during the summer of 2012.

The scholarship includes travel to and accommodations in China, and the opportunity to spend two weeks study with Dr. Ji Quig, director of acupuncture at Shanghai Hospital, which is affiliated with Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

To qualify, students must be graduating from the University if Bridgeport Acupuncture Institute (UBAI) between December 2011 and December 2012, have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and meet other criterion.

For more information, contact UBAI Director Dr. Jennifer Brett at jbrett@bridgeport.edu or 203-576-4038

Antibiotics that doctors typically prescribe for sinus infections do not reduce symptoms any better than an inactive placebo, according to investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis?Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune issues. Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days.

Can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture operates under the theory that all of our life energy, known in the acupuncture community as qi, must at all times flow uninterrupted through our bodies. Qi, body fluids and blood regulate our functions and make up the body. The circulation and health of body fluids and blood depend on the proper flow of life energy. When the natural flow is interrupted or blocked, certain ailments can occur. Acupuncture operates under the belief that inserting needles into certain points along the meridians will stimulate the body and cause it to heal itself.

There is much anecdotal evidence from both acupuncture patients and practitioners that suggests that acupuncture can significantly reduce or cure sinus problems. A September 2004 study published in Allergy magazine found that a combination of weekly acupuncture sessions and Chinese herbs showed major promise in relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergies. The study recommended that further research be performed to fully gauge the effectiveness of acupuncture as an allergy treatment.

So, what's your experience?

It has long been known that the central nervous system "remembers" painful experiences, that they leave a memory trace of pain. And when there is new sensory input, the pain memory trace in the brain magnifies the feeling so that even a gentle touch can be excruciating,according to new research.(1)

A new MRI study, in which areas of the brain are scanned, whilst having acupuncture, has shown that the use of different acupuncture points produce different effects on the brain. Previous studies have shown that the acupoint known as LI4 , on the hand, and commonly used for pain relief, influences the part of the brain which receives pain signals and by needling this point pain in the body is reduced.

Many pain medications target pain at the peripheral level, by reducing inflammation, or by activating analgesia systems in the brain to reduce the feeling of pain. Why does acupuncture help with pain.?

Does acupuncture target an established pain memory trace as a way of reducing pain hypersensitivity?

Reference1)http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213154141.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

According to a study published in the April 23 edition of Molecular Pain, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have identified a new therapeutic approach called PAPupuncture to deliver long-lasting pain relief In the study, the researchers found that PAPupuncture helped to alleviate pain in animal models for 6 days. Lead researcher Mark J. Zylka, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology and the UNC Neuroscience Center, explained that this study is promising and moves his laboratory work with prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) towards translational research.

There is no doubt that more and more couples, especially in the West, are finding it difficult to conceive. Although sperm counts may not be in huge decline, sperm quality may be deteriorating. A 1996 study in France found a significant decline in sperm quality over a 20-year period.

Some questions have to be answer....

1)Male infertility had increased because of synthetic female hormones from the Pill?(Vatican research)
Answer:The report was viewed with scepticism by many scientists, who pointed out that the body’s digestive system breaks down oestrogen, so it is unlikely to be released into the environment.

2}Intercourse every two or three days is thought to be the optimum for couples wishing to conceive?
Answer:Having sex every day will probably decrease the chances of conception.

3)Numerous electronic devices, including TVs, washing machines and Wi-Fi devices, emit low-energy, non-ionising radiation, and hundreds of studies have looked at possible links between them and male fertility problems.
Answerrobably no cause for concern

Bottom line:For men, acupuncture may increase sperm count and may help to improve sperm motility. Acupuncture may be a good way to reduce stress as well, as stress may be a major inhibitor to fertility. There are numerous benefits of acupuncture and it is often helpful to speak with a specialist to learn more about what this treatment may do and what to expect during and after treatment.

In one study involving 28 men with idiopathic infertility, meaning the cause was unknown, who were given acupuncture two times a week for five weeks, motility levels were improved in men who received acupuncture compared to those who did not. Those who received acupuncture also saw changes in sperm structure and quality of sperm.

Men whose sperm quality, motility or count may be in question may find acupuncture a helpful treatment. What's more, in cases in which the cause of infertility is unknown, acupuncture may be recommended as well. Simply reducing stress may be helpful in some cases and may lead to success.

Scientists in the U.S. looked at the eating and drinking habits of 1,200 people aged 70 to 89 who did not have dementia, and gave them memory tests.Their findings suggest that keeping to a low-calorie diet in old age could keep the mind sharp – and may even prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers looking at the onset of memory loss in old age are becoming increasingly interested in the role played by diet and exercise.

Can acupuncture help?

Australian Victoria University scientists have done a new research to examines the role of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of eating disorders in female patients.
Finally, they found evidence that acupuncture improved the participants' Quality of Life as measured by the physical/cognitive and psychological components of the Eating Disorder Quality of Life scale. There was also evidence of decreases in anxiety (both State and Trait as measured by the State Trait Anxiety Intervention) and perfectionism (as measured by the Eating Disorder Inventory-3).They conclude that pilot study shows potential of the benefit of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of eating disorders particularly in the area of quality of life.

Traditional Chinese medicine regards treating the kidneys as particularly important in aging disorders. The spleen is also important, as qi and blood decrease over time. Because the kidney and spleen control water in the body, if their function declines, dampness and phlegm will be produced. Lack of movement may cause qi and blood stagnation.

Korean study examined the effects of the PC6 acupuncture point on CMS-induced memory loss. The memory storage and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in the hippocampus were measured, respectively, using a passive avoidance test (PAT) and AchE immunohistochemistry. Their results show that the acupuncture point is effective in restoring the CMS-related biochemical and behavioral impairments, such as learning and memory.

Many memory issues can relate to mental health and well-being. Because of that, acupuncture may have a useful role related to behavior modification in selected cases. In patient with loss of memory, acupuncture usually is not the first choice for treatment. It has been demonstrated that acupuncture improves learning and memory ability significantly in aged animals when compared with controls.After an acupuncture treatment performed on patients applying because of other complaints an enhancement on memory faculties due to the amelioration in brain circulation can occur.

What's your experience?

According to research from Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Tracy Keller and colleagues at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston have found that halofuginone,the roots of the blue evergreen hydrangea (Dichroa febrifuga) have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat malaria. – a chemical based on the roots' active ingredient – blocks immune reactions that can cause disease.This could make the drug effective against autoimmune disease,for example MS. But as halofuginone mimics nutrient deprivation, there is another possible use. Animals that receive only just adequate nutrition are known to live longer, partly because diseases which involve inflammation are prevented.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with an unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC. Yet throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions, and has been sustained by research into every aspect of its use. This process continues today with the development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge.

Scientists from GlaxoSmithKline are to study how traditional Chinese medicine can be applied to modern drugs as part of a revamp of the company’s research and development,according to telegraph.

GlaxoSmithKline — one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.Investment by the company also known as GSK in its centre in Shanghai to study neurodegenerative conditions illustrated well China's burgeoning role as a research and development hub, rather than just a place for churning out cheap generic drugs or pharmaceutical ingredients.

“Within our discovery organisation in China we have created a DPU that will marry traditional Chinese medicine with modern drug discovery and clinical efficacy,” said Moncef Slaoui, Glaxo’s chairman of research and development. “With modern technology we have the potential to yield new molecular entities with significant efficacy.”

It's great for TCM.

Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and look back on a tradition of more than 2000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy, and dietary therapy. These practices are a common part of medical care throughout East Asia, but are considered alternative medicine in the western world.Nonetheless, many of its assumptions, including the model of the body, or concept of disease, are not supported by modern evidence-based medicine. Clinical trials have so far produced little evidence for the efficacy of TCM therapies, such as acupuncture.

According to a Taiwanese study,Men who have the allergic skin condition eczema may have a higher risk of erectile dysfunction than other men.It is still too soon to confirm that eczema alone can cause impotence.

One question is why skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis would be linked to erectile dysfunction. Chung's team said it's possible that the underlying inflammation of the diseases, which may affect blood vessels as well as the skin, is to blame.

Eczema is a common allergic inflammatory skin diseases. A multi-shaped rash, or diffuse into Flake-inclined humid location, distribution symmetry, easy recurrent and chronic, severe consciously tickle the main clinical features. According to their attack, can be divided into acute eczema, eczema subacute and chronic eczema three categories, nearly a dozen years, the application point injection, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, not only can cure all types of acute and chronic eczema, and some of the scrotum stubborn eczema have better results. Further clinical observation also confirmed that acupuncture point injection, or it may make the cells of the immune function has improved. This may be needle acupuncture treatment of the disease one of the mechanism.

Acupuncture Prescription

SP 6 (or 9) and ST 40: resolve damp
SP 10, LI 11 and UB 40: remove toxicity and heat in blood; also major points for calming itching
DU 14, GB 20 and UB 12: local points for lesions on head and face

Modern research has suggested that acupuncture may help ease pain by altering signals among nerve cells or affecting the release of various chemicals of the central nervous system.The scientist explained that pain and itchiness have similarities in their underlying mechanisms, so acupuncture's effects on pain mechanisms may also account for the benefits seen in acupuncture study.

The findings were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

The ancient Chinese art characterised by slow controlled movements helped Parkinson's patients with balance and control and resulted in fewer falls, when compared with other exercises

Lead author Dr Fuzhong Li, from the Oregon Research Institute, found a tailored program of twice-weekly Tai Chi training resulted in improved postural stability and walking ability, and fewer falls.

Andrew Feigin, a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease at the North Shore-LIJ Medical Group in Great Neck, New York, said the findings give scientific backing to doctor recommendations that patients try exercises like tai chi to improve balance.

Parkinson's is a progressive motor-system disorder that affects more than 120,000 people in the UK and around one million in the U.S.
Symptoms usually appear in people over the age of 50 and include body trembling, stiffness and loss of balance. Drugs and surgery are two possible treatments however there is no known cure.

Is tai chi better than weight training? It depends. "If balance is the issue, tai chi may be best, but if a person is concerned mainly with mobility, stiffness, and slowness, weight training may offer more benefits," Isaacson tells WebMD.

Some evidence suggests that exercise may do even more than boost strength and balance; it may protect brain cells from degeneration and make Parkinson's medications work better.

Many people with Parkinson's disease are also depressed and may not be willing to exercise. It is not a choice, Isaacson says: "It has to be a part of everyday routine, much like taking medications, showering, or eating."

People taking popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may have a slightly lower risk than others of developing Parkinson's disease, new research suggests.

A new study has revealed how elderly people practising Tai Chi - an ancient Chinese form of slow, meditative exercise - just three times a week can boost brain volume and improve memory and thinking.

Chinese medicine classifies Parkinson’s disease as a type of convulsion or tremor. It is seen as a combination of constitutional (inherited) weakness combined with lifestyle factors such as overwork, diet, and emotional stress, which may be triggers to the development of the disease. Parkinson’s disease is broken down into 3 sub-categories according to the cause of the disease.

The first is a deficiency of qi-energy and blood, with specific symptoms of pronounced tremor of a limb, sallow complexion, staring look, occipital stiffness, limb cramping, uncoordinated walking, difficulty moving, dizziness, blurred vision, and sweating. In this case, an acupuncturist would work on building up the body’s qi-energy and nourish the blood in order to improve symptoms and healthy functioning of the body.

The second type is phlegm-heat, which produces symptoms of tremors, dizziness, sweating, dry mouth, staring look, feeling of oppression in the chest, yellow phlegm, obesity, and stiff neck and back. This type can be particularly brought on by diet, and treatment focuses on resolving the phlegm and clearing heat from the body to remove blockages.

The third type is liver and kidney-yin deficiency, resulting in dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, headache, night sweats, restless mind, sore back and knees, numbness of limbs, head tremors, clenched teeth, poor memory, difficulty walking, and staring look. In this case, treatment must build up the body’s yin energy and the body’s energy circulation.

A study of more than 60 patients has found those given caffeine supplements experienced an improvement in symptoms for Parkinson's disease. Scientists trialling the substance say just a couple of cups of coffee a day can relieve the shakes associated with the disease.

According to acupuncture today.Dr. Shi Xue-Min is particularly known for his creation of the stroke acupuncture technique Xing Nao Kai Qiao (XNKQ), which is translated as "activating the brain and opening the orifices."

Dr. Shi has nearly 50 years of experience in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is the recipient of numerous awards and has published extensively. He has been the past recipient of 15 awards and two patents on the state, ministerial and municipal levels. He also published 12 major works, more than 30 theses, and authored more than 40 books. The work he has done has greatly encouraged many doctors to conduct research on the effects of acupuncture and meridians.

Acupuncture is the most popular treatment modality for stroke patients in China, used effectively on 85% of the stroke patients there. A controlled study conducted at the Lund University Hospital in Sweden provided several interesting findings. It found that a group of 38 patients who received acupuncture treatments twice a week for ten weeks reported significant improvements in the areas of walking, balance, emotions, quality of life, ease of daily activity, and mobility in comparison with a control group of 40 patients who did not receive acupuncture treatments. The Acupuncture Group spent fewer days in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities than the Non-Acupuncture Group, with an average savings of $26,000 per patient. In the follow-up period, it was found that one year after suffering their stroke and receiving treatment, 89% of the patients in the Acupuncture Group were living at home vs. 66% of the patients in the Non-Acupuncture Group.Scientific studies indicate that acupuncture can: facilitate nerve regeneration; decrease blood viscosity; prevent the aggregation of blood cells, dilate blood vessels by triggering the release of hormones; and help surviving nerve cells find new pathways, effectively by-passing damaged parts of the brain. Acupuncture has also been found to be helpful in the treatment of headache, dizziness and hypertension in stroke patients.

Linked news--Men who eat lots of tomatoes and tomato-based products may have a lower risk for stroke, a new study suggests.Tomatoes are rich in the antioxidant lycopene.Men who had the highest levels of lycopene in their blood were 55% less likely to have a stroke, compared with men who had the lowest levels of the antioxidant in their blood.

LAS VEGAS -- A man collapsed and died Wednesday shortly after receiving an acupuncture procedure. Experts in the field say it likely had nothing to do with the alternative Chinese medicine.

But, Is acupuncture risk -free?

Absolutely not.Eighty-six people have been accidentally killed by badly trained acupuncturists over the past 45 years, according to Britain's leading expert on alternative medicine.

An adverse event is an injury or untoward event due to treatment, including failure to treat. Acupuncture is a surgical procedure and thus, clearly not entirely safe. It is, nonetheless, commonly considered to be relatively safe compared with Western medications and procedures.

To systematically review the Chinese-language literature on acupuncture-related adverse events,Zhang J,Etc have done a new research about acupuncture-related adverse events from Chinese databases.

They searched three Chinese databases (the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, 1980-2009; the Chinese Journal Full-Text Database, 1980-2009; and the Weipu Journal Database, 1989-2009) to identify Chinese-language articles about the safety of traditional needle acupuncture.They found that Acupuncture-related adverse events were classified into three categories: traumatic, infectious and "other". The most frequent adverse events were pneumothorax, fainting, subarachnoid haemorrhage and infection, while the most serious ones were cardiovascular injuries, subarachnoid haemorrhage, pneumothorax and recurrent cerebral haemorrhage.Many acupuncture-related adverse events, most of them owing to improper technique.

Reference:Zhang J, Shang H, Gao X, Ernst E.Bull World Health Organ. 2010 Dec 1;88(12):915-921C.

Negative Effects Of Acupuncture
1,Regular sensation of warmth, tenderness, and tingling in the treated body parts.
2,The acupuncture needles end up penetrating through the minute blood capillaries.
3,Some of the patients might experience a temporary drop in blood pressure levels.
4,Patients suffering from allergic reactions to the stainless steel needles used in acupuncture
5,The use of electro-stimulators in acupuncture might result in nerve damage, especially if the electricity is passed on for extended periods of time or is set at a high frequency.
6, The use of moxibustion technique in acupuncture might result in burns on the patient’s skin.
7,In the acupuncture treatments that involve cupping and guasha, there is a chance of blood drawing close to the skin surface

Want to know more acupuncture risk?

According to the American Heart Association, people with high blood pressure have twice the risk of stroke compared to people with normal blood pressure, and treating high blood pressure with medication and lifestyle changes such as exercise substantially reduces stroke risk.The study also showed that stroke survivors who had diabetes or who were older, female, or Hispanic were more likely to have poorly controlled blood pressure.

High blood pressure is the strongest risk factor for stroke, so you would think patients and their doctors would be vigilant about making sure blood pressure is under control.

(Reuters Health) - Older adults with salty diets may have an increased risk of suffering a stroke, a new study suggests. The new findings strengthen the case for heavy salt intake as a stroke risk factor, according to Dr. Francesco P. Cappuccio, of the University of Warwick in the UK, who wrote an editorial published with the study in the journal Stroke.

Can acupuncture help?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hypertension or prehypertension is usually seen as a pattern of excess Heat or Stagnation affecting the Liver, Gallbladder, or Heart channels. In some cases, there can be additional Phlegm patterns, which block the Heart channels or a Deficiency of Yin.Acupuncture points are selected that have been clinically found to create a hypotensive effect (e.g., relax the heart valves and lower their pressure at contraction and relaxation). Using points to calm the mind, rid the body of excess fire, tonify the yin, and regulate the Qi flow through the channels will help build lasting health long-term. Acupuncture is also effective at relieving subjective symptoms and has no side effects.

To compare the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture and western medication on blood pressure variability in young patients with hypertension.Chinese Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of TCM has done a new research about this.Their sixty cases of hypertension in young patients were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3). In western medication group, Captopril was taken orally.

They found electroacupuncture on Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) has long-term antihypertensive effect and improves effectively day-night rhythm variation in young patients with hypertension. Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (LR 3) are the effective pair points for hypertension treated with acupuncture.
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Reference: Yang DH.Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2010 Jul;30(7):547-50.

Where does back pain hurt the most? A new study indicates that the biggest pain could be in the wallet as individuals with back pain rack up annual health care expenditures 60 percent greater than their non-back pain-suffering counterparts.

The report, published in the January 2012 issue of Pain, was based on a microsimulation model designed to measure the economic effects of poor health on Australian workers ages 45 to 64. Researchers found that men ages 45 to 54 years who retired early due to back trouble would only be worth about $5000 (in Australian dollars) by age 65. By comparison, men in the same age group who worked full time until age 65 would be worth $339,121. Similarly, women aged 45 to 54 years who retired early due to back problems would have $20,064 at age 65, but their counterparts who waited until 65 to retire would have $237,496

Leaving the work force earlier than expected isn't the only way back pain can drain your finances.Many back pain treatment are very expensive......

Millions of people who suffer from back pain are to given the right to demand free acupuncture on the NHS, under controversial new guidance.

Michael Haake, who led the acupuncture study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, said: "The superiority of both forms of acupuncture suggests a common underlying mechanism that may act on pain generation or transmission of pain signals ... and is stronger than the action mechanism of conventional therapy."

Acupuncture is very efficient treatment for back pain.It will help you save money.