Zak Acupuncture Case Studies In London

Feel free, Ask your acupuncturist questions.....

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:47:30 +0100

1.Are they licensed professionals acupuncturists?

2.Are they experts? Watch out for professionals claiming to treat conditions outside of their field of expertise.

3.If an acupuncture treatment sounds too good to be true.

4.A good way to assess a treatment is to consider its potential to cause harm.

Take care!

Comments

"Qpalm Acupuncture Lite" for your Iphone

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:37:01 +0100

Qpalm is a quick, yet comprehensive reference guide of Acupoints for students as well as practitioners. Qpalm acupuncture 1.5 includes clinical application part in which acupoints and formula to treat 59 diseases and pattern identifications of each disease are enumerated. So it will be very useful in your clinical use.
Contents
◦ Qi flows in 20 primary channels are illustrated.
◦ [Retail Version Only] 361 points of 14 channels & 40 extra points are presented in full-color anatomical illustrations
◦--> In this LITE version, you will see limited points, channels and treatments.
◦Nerves, arteries, bones, muscles, and tendons of each acupoint are divided into different colors for easy and clear visualization.
◦All acupoints include important relevant information, such as where to find it, what it does, when to use it, how to needle it, and special attributes

Source: appshopper.com

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Dailytidings.com--Acupuncture,,etc among alternative therapies to try during cold and flu season

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:32:30 +0100

According to www.dailytidings.com

Berman, an acupuncturist, says that targeting spots on the skin can help the body fight off cold and flu. "It allows the strength of your own system to reach its potential," she says. The same goes for several other alternative treatments from Eastern medicine, says Berman, who has stocked up on the homeopathic remedies Oscillococcinum and Influenzinum, which are marketed as natural alternatives to drugstore cold and flu medications.

Yes,You may try it for your flu.

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Taiwan will not recognize the academic credentials of Chinese medicine school graduates from mainland China

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:08:12 +0100

Interesting news from "The China Post"

More than 400 Taiwan students who earned medicine-related degrees in China, asking that the Taiwan government would approve their educational qualifications in Taiwan.

But, Taiwan will not recognize the academic credentials of Chinese medicine school graduates from mainland China,Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said that the government will not change its current policy to admit China medicine-related qualifications in Taiwan.

Why?

Even WHO have recognize Chinese medical degree,Taiwan ........

Source:The China Post

Comments

Risk factors for low back pain in pregnant women

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:40:01 +0100

1younger age

2multiparity (multiple pregnancies)

3urban (city) location

4obesity and inactivity

5perceived poor health

6previous history of low back pain anytime

7As for aggravating and relieving factors, rest (sitting, lying down) helped reduce pain. Standing for long periods of time increased painful symptoms. Women who had help with daily household chores were also less likely to develop back pain suggesting that motherhood itself (or perhaps the activities associated with motherhood) are risk factors for low back pain.

Source:The Spine Journal. October 2009. Vol. 9. No. 10. Pp.795-801.
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Comments

Girl has been hiccuping for three weeks,Why don't try acupuncture?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:18:01 +0100

Florida teen Jennifer Mee, 15, has been hiccuping about 50 times a minute for three weeks straight. She has tried every remedy and doctors are stumped.

Acupuncture is very effective solution for hiccup,Why don't try it?

Want to know how? You can find it in my blog,
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Comments

Can acupuncture help dry eye?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:32:50 +0100

That Acupuncture improves dry eye syndrome was the focus of a recent study conducted at the China Medical University in Taiwan. A group of 43 dry eye syndrome patients were divided into a control group, a second group that received Acupuncture and a third group that received SSP elec tro-therapy. (SSP is Silver Spike Point low frequency electro-therapy, also known as Needle Free Acupuncture.)

All of the participants first received an artificial tears treatment. The Acupuncture and the SSP groups then each received two 20-minute treatments of Acupuncture or SSP. Several different measurement tools were used to determine tear production including the Schirmer’s test where strips of paper are inserted into the eye for several minutes to measure the production of tears.

A variety of test results showed that both Acupuncture and the SSP electro-therapy treatments brought positive results. After just 4 weeks of treatment, both the Acupuncture and SSP groups showed improvements over the control group. Tearing in both eyes had improved during this time.

After 8 weeks of treatment, both of these groups continued to show improvement over the con trol group. Overall, the Acupuncture group showed the greatest improvement in reducing the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Interestingly, the SSP group showed the greatest overall improve ment in the reduced need for artificial tear application.

Sourse:http://www.wholehealthcenters.com/blog/reports/dry-eyes-benefit-from-acupuncture-treatments/

Comments

Report: Forty thousands to ninety thousands Americans die each year as a result of medical errors

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:26:04 +0100

The study was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Cook County-Rush Developmental Center for Research in Patient Safety DEER Project, and the National Institutes of Health.

The most commonly missed or delayed diagnoses reported by doctors on a survey were pulmonary embolism (4.5%), drug reactions or overdose (4.5%), lung cancer (3.9%), colorectal cancer (3.3%), acute coronary syndrome (3.1%), breast cancer (3.1%), and stroke (2.6%), according to the study published in the Nov. 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study found that most common errors (44%) involved doctors failing to arrange for laboratory tests or follow-up on the results. Other common errors involved over- or underconsideration of competing diagnosis (32%), issues with history-taking (10%), physical examination (10%), and referral or consultation errors and delays (3%).

For detail:http://www.medpagetoday.com/

Comments

Research:The more they texted, the more pain they had in their neck and shoulders.

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:07:49 +0100

According to ScienceDaily (Nov. 10, 2009)

Judith Gold, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work,she presented preliminary research which suggested that among college students, the more they texted, the more pain they had in their neck and shoulders.

"Looking around our campus, you see every student on their cell phones, typing away," she said. "It's the age group that texts the most, so it's important to know what the health effects may be to learn whether it will cause long term damage."

Take care! Current studies on computer use show office workers are prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Comments

More and more back surgeons thinking about acupuncture treatment

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:30:42 +0100

Now, many spine care experts say that after years of progress, it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate the recent so-called advancements.

The past 15 years have seen major advancements in spinal care, much of it expensive and invasive. Doctors seem to agree that most recent treatments are useful - the questions are how useful, and to whom are they useful.

In fact, most people who experience back pain won't be helped by surgery at all, said Harley Goldberg, director of the spine care program at Kaiser Permanente San Jose. Research into dozens of areas of noninvasive treatments - including yoga, acupuncture and massage - have produced sometimes mixed results.

Comments

Chinese medicine doctor developed a system of healing ,it 2,000 years prior to the discovery of both osteopathy and chiropractic .

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:18:15 +0100

Legendary physician Hua Tuo, who was born in 110 A.D. and lived to the unprecedented age (at that time) of 97. He was reputedly murdered by the ruler of the Wei Dynasty after the ruler suspected an assassination attempt when Hua Tuo suggested brain surgery for his severe headaches.

Hua Tuo developed a system of healing that appears to be remarkably similar to modern western approach; however, he did it 2,000 years prior to the discovery of both osteopathy and chiropractic. By the stimulation of these specific points at the precise vertebral level, virtually any condition known to man can be positively affected.

For detail:http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=54315

Comments

Spinal cord injury patient`s new hope

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:26:01 +0100

spinal cord injury patients around the world may draw new hope for the future from the story of a paralyzed little dog who was able to walk again after receiving an experimental spinal cord treatment. Cambridge University scientists pioneered the new treatment that made it possible for Henry the dachshund to walk after he was paralyzed by a severe spinal cord injury.

Veterinarians at the Cambridge Veterinary School took cells from the dog’s nose and injected them into his ailing spinal cord.....

For detail visit Cambridge Veterinary school website
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Comments

Can acupuncture help paralytic strabismus?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:38 +0100

According to new research from Chinese General Hospital of Daqing Oil Field.

Acupuncture on local points of eye is an effective therapy for paralytic strabismus.

One hundred cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group. The acupuncture group (58 cases) was treated with acupuncture at local points of eye, Jingming (BL 1), Tongziliao (GB 1), Shangming (Extra) etc. were selected; and the medication group (42 cases) was treated with oral administration of Methycobal and Vitamin B1. After treatment of 5 courses, the therapeutic effects in the two groups were observed.

RESULTS: The total effective rate of 94.8% in the acupuncture group was superior to that of 85.7% in the medication group (P<0.01); the therapeutic effects of the acupuncture group for treatment of oculomotor nerve and abducent nerve were significantly better than that of the medication group (P<0.05); the acupuncture group was better than the medication group in synoptophore examination results and improvement of rima oculi and pupil (P<0.01, P<0.05), the acupuncture group was superior to the medication group in improvement of the function of paralysis eye muscle, including medial rectus and lateral rectus except superior oblique (P<0.01, P<0.05).
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Reference: Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009 Oct;29(10):799-803

Comments

Acupunct Med. 2009--Research about neuroanatomical basis of acupuncture treatment

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:29:48 +0100

According to Acupunct Med. 2009 Jun;27(2):61-4

The acupuncture treatment formulae for some common conditions are reviewed. These conditions include low back pain, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, facial nerve palsy, asthma, nausea and vomiting, gastritis and dysmenorrhoea. It is found that in many cases, the acupuncture points traditionally used for the treatment have a neuroanatomical significance from the viewpoint of Western medicine. And from that one can hypothesise a plausible mechanism of action as to how acupuncture achieves its therapeutic effects in terms of contemporary Western medicine. These mechanisms of action include intramuscular stimulation for treating muscular pain and nerve stimulation for treating neuropathies. The sympathetic ganglion may be involved in the acupuncture treatment of asthma. Somato-autonomic reflex may be responsible for the acupuncture effect on gastritis.

Good research!
Source:

Comments

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine study about acupressure

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:12:59 +0100

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.

Source:TCMSTUDENT

Acupressure is the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine in which pressure is applied by hand to the same acupoints where needles would be inserted for acupuncture treatments. In this new trial, conducted at Australia's University of Adelaide, researchers applied a mild electrical pulse to stimulate an acupressure point on the wrist known as Neiguan, which is associated with upper gastrointestinal conditions such as heartburn...

Comments

Researchers found that exercising daily or to the point of exhaustion made more fertility problems

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:26:28 +0100

According to Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Researchers found that exercising daily or to the point of exhaustion made fertility problems three times more likely.

While experts agree that a certain amount of physical exercise has obvious health benefits, it is believed that too much saps the body of the energy it needs for a successful pregnancy. The findings were made by Norwegian University of Science and Technology after a study of 3,000 women.

Younger women appeared to be more vulnerable to the risk.

Comments

China Daily:TCM tabled as possible H1N1 cure

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:42:16 +0100

Tu Zhitao, vice-director of the bureau, claimed that children sickened with the flu should be cured within three days.

"Some children will be cured with only one dose (of No 2 Cold Medicine), while others might need two," Tu said.

Tamiflu and Relenza are the two approved antiviral drugs that are available for treatment of H1N1. The World Health Organization recommends that all patients (including pregnant women) and all age groups (including young children and infants) should be treated with Tamiflu in the event of severe or deteriorating illness.

The WHO said it was not familiar with the TCM recommended for children and could not comment.

A woman who didn't provide her name and was in charge of the health policy division of the bureau, told METRO: "This medicine is very effective. Our director's son has tried it."

"Western medicines might harm the stomachs of children. Chinese medicine does not have this side effect. This No 2 cold medicine is an upgrade of former anti-flu medicine," she added.

For detail:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/metro/2009-11/03/content_8903757.htm

Comments

Research:Steroid injections offer short-term pain relief for knee Arthritis.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:36:12 +0100

We know that almost half of all adults age 80 and older will have osteoarthritis of the knee, finding ways to decrease the painful symptoms is important if these folks are going to stay active and independent.

Research about Steroid injections showing that knee pain was reduced for at least one week, there was also evidence that the pain was decreased by 30 per cent.

Fortunately, even though steroids only give short-term pain relief, there are other effective treatments patients can use as well. Physical activity and exercise, nutritional supplements, antiinflammatory drugs, braces, topical creams, and if necessary, surgery are all acceptable treatment choices.

Acupuncture also is good option.
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Reference: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. October 2009

Comments

Under the new law, from 2011 sales of all herbal remedies (Inc:Chinese medicine)will be banned?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:19:15 +0100

Regulators warn that many of us believe that "herbal" is synonymous with "safe", whereas herbal remedies can be deadly.

"There's a risk that the herbal remedy will react with any prescription drugs. They're also more vulnerable to fraudulent, even criminal operators who put products out which are heavily adulterated with dangerous pharmaceuticals."-says Richard Woodfield, Head of Herbal Policy at the Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

In April, an MHRA investigation into Jia Ji Jian, sometimes marketed as 'herbal Viagra', revealed it contained up to four times the level of pharmaceuticals found in legally prescribed anti-obesity and anti-erectile dysfunction medicinal products, which can cause serious side effects including heart and blood pressure problems. As a herbal remedy it should not contain any pharmaceuticals at all.

MHRA information line: 020 7084 2000; www.mhra.gov.uk

Comments

The UK's first-ever fertility show is taking place in London

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:57:26 +0100

The show is being kept private, with no media or photography allowed, to preserve visitors' privacy.

The show will offer people the chance to find out how to help their chances of conceiving, what sort of diet is needed to boost fertility levels and how alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, can help.

For those just thinking of having a baby:
- Zita West on how to get pregnant
- Marilyn Glenville on fertility-boosting nutrition
- Gerad Kite on acupuncture
- Dr Zhai on Chinese medicine

For people finding it difficult to get pregnant:
- Professor Fleming on testing your ovarian reserve
- Sam Abdalla on calculating your chances
- An overview of common problems
- What men need to know about their fertility

For those considering IVF:
- A beginner’s guide to the fertility rollercoaster
- How to choose a clinic
- Coping strategies
- What the NHS will pay for

For those already having treatment:
- Experts on PCOS, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis, inherited diseases
- Egg freezing
- Specific advice for single women, older women and same sex couples
- How to get donors

Welcome to show
More detail: http://www.fertilityshow.co.uk/index.html

Comments

Study:many contributors to back and neck pain, genes are an important one.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:37:28 +0100

University of Southern Denmark the new study:has found genetic susceptibility may be the main factor in a person's likelihood of progressive degeneration in the spinal discs, which can be a cause of chronic back and neck pain.

Understanding how genes and environment interact to create health problems is a "prerequisite" for preventing them, noted Dr. Jan Hartvigsen, a professor at the University of Southern Denmark

A surprising finding from this study, Hartvigsen said, was that the importance of genes in different types of pain -- including chronic, long-standing pain or more intermittent, recurrent pain -- was "remarkably similar."

Comments

Research:Yoga may be more effective than standard treatment in reducing chronic low back pain

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:29:35 +0100

According to Boston University School of Medicine--Yoga may be more effective than standard treatment in reducing chronic low back pain in minority populations.

"Our pilot study showed that yoga is well-received in these communities and may be effective for reducing pain and pain medication use" said lead author Robert B. Saper, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of family medicine at BUSM and director of integrative medicine at Boston Medical Center.

Of course,nothing is perfect.I don't think yoga is suitabe for every lower back pain patient.Why? Explore my blog, you will find many case studies about this.

Comments

Childhood physical abuse and osteoarthritis

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:50:10 +0100

It is sad news.

According to ScienceDaily (Nov. 3, 2009) — Adults who had experienced physical abuse as children have 56 per cent higher odds of osteoarthritis compared to those who have not been abused, according to a new study by University of Toronto researchers.

The study is published in the November issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research.

one important avenue for future research is to investigate the pathways through which arthritis may develop as a consequence of childhood physical abuse.

Stop hurt children!!!
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Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102121718.htm

Comments

Consultation of Department of Health about acupuncture regulation will accept responses to 16 November 2009

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:07:51 +0100

Latest news from Department of Health website:

Due to potential postal delays caused by the postal strikes the Department of Health will accept responses to this consultation received after 2 but not beyond 16 November 2009.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Department of Health consultation shuts on November 2nd. If you haven’t responded yet, please do. It would be an enormous setback for reason and common sense. In case it is any help to anyone, this is what a one said:

And ,What's your opinion?

The questionnaire
Q1: What evidence is there of harm to the public currently as a result of the activities of acupuncturists, herbalists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners? What is its likelihood and severity?

Harm

No Harm

Unsure

Comment

Answer: Harm
Comments: unqualified or incompetent practitioners can cause harm to patients; incidents have happened in the past; Money-driven people only care about making money from the activities of these professions and put public safety in great risk. .

Q2: Would this harm be lessened by statutory regulation? If so, how?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: yes.
Comments: Statutory regulation (SR) can safeguard patients by disallowing unqualified/incompetent “practitioners” to practise, preventing money-driven activities. In fact, most harmful incidents happened in the past are caused by those “practitioners” and business owners due to lack of statutory regulation.

Q3: What do you envisage would be the benefit to the public, to practitioners and to businesses, associated with introducing statutory regulation?

Significant benefit

Some benefit

No benefit

Unsure

Answer: Significant benefit
Comments: Ensure practitioners to be appropriately qualified and competent; significantly reduce risks of harm to the public; prevent the unqualified from practicing; prevent money-driven activities; improve clinical efficacy.

Q4: What do you envisage would be the regulatory burden and financial costs to the public, to practitioners, and to businesses, associated with introducing statutory regulation? Are these costs justified by the benefits and are they proportionate to the risks? If so, in what way?

Justified

Not Justified

Unsure

Answer: Justifies
Comments: there will be a financial cost for statutory regulation, but the benefits will significantly overweigh the cost.

Q5: If herbal and TCM practitioners are subject to statutory regulation, should the right to prepare and commission unlicensed herbal medicines be restricted to statutorily regulated practitioners?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: Yes.
Comments: Statutory regulation will ensure the proper qualification and competence of the practitioners. The right of using unlicensed herbal medicines should be restricted to registered practitioners to ensure the public to access effective and safe herbal medicines

Q6: If herbal and TCM practitioners are not statutorily regulated, how (if at all) should unlicensed herbal medicines prepared or commissioned by these practitioners be regulated?

Answer: There is no option other than statutory regulation.
Comments: Only statutory regulation can ensure that practitioners are qualified and competent to use unlicensed herbal medicines. They should be the only people to be allowed by SR to use such herbal medicines. Without SR (such as current situation), harmful incidents can not be avoided and public safety can not be ensured.

Q7: What would be the effect on public, practitioners and businesses if, in order to comply with the requirements of European medicines legislation, practitioners were unable to supply manufactured unlicensed herbal medicines commissioned from a third party?

Significant effect

Some effect

No effect

Unsure

Answer: Significant effect.
Comments: it would be a disaster. Public would be denied for access to herbal medicines, practitioners would be forced to discontinue their practice and herbal medicine would be dead.

Q8: How might the risk of harm to the public be reduced other than by orthodox statutory regulation? For example by voluntary self-regulation underpinned by consumer protection legislation and by greater public awareness, by accreditation of voluntary registration bodies, or by a statutory or voluntary licensing regime?

Voluntary self-regulation

Accreditation of voluntary bodies

Statutory or voluntary licensing

Unsure

Answer: Unsure.
Comments: All the options given in this question are meant to keep the current situation, in which public safety can not be secured, risks and potential harms can not be prevented as argued in our responses to above relevant questions. The most effective way to protect public is statutory regulation.

Q9: What would you estimate would be the regulatory burden and financial costs, to the public, to practitioners and to businesses, for the alternatives to statutory regulation suggested at Question 8?

Answer: Not applicable
Comments: Statutory regulation is the most effective and efficient way. Currently, several regulatory regimes co-exist as listed in Question 8 and they cause more burden and cost to the public, practitioners and businesses, directly or indirectly. After SR, practitioners will simply pay for their registration; therefore licensing fee, cost to trading standard agents etc will be avoided.

Q10: What would you envisage would be the benefits to the public, to practitioners, and to businesses, for the alternatives to statutory regulation outlined at Question 8?

Answer: not applicable.
Comments: The alternatives to statutory regulation as described in Question 8 do not offer any benefits more than SR does to the public, practitioners and businesses.

Q11: If you feel that not all three practitioner groups justify statutory regulation, which group(s) does/do not and please give your reasons why/why not?

Acupuncture

Herbal Medicine

TCM

Unsure

Answer: None of the above
Comments: All three practitioner groups justify statutory regulation. They are interlinked with each other in a form of cross-practice. It is practically impossible to regulate one practice or one group and leave the others unregulated. A joint regulation for all three groups has been on DH agenda since 2005 and it is the right direction to keep.

Q12: Would it be helpful to the public for these practitioners to be regulated in a way which differentiates them from the regulatory regime for mainstream professions publicly perceived as having an evidence base of clinical effectiveness? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes

Unsure
Answer: No.
Comments: The aim of statutory regulation is to protect public from harms caused by incompetent practitioners, it is not about evidence. The current situation has proved that without SR, public safety can not be secured as it does not prevent unqualified and incompetent practitioners causing harms to their patients.

Q13: Given the Government’s commitment to reducing the overall burden of unnecessary statutory regulation, can you suggest which areas of healthcare practice present sufficiently low risk so that they could be regulated in a different, less burdensome way or de-regulated, if a decision is made to statutorily regulate acupuncturists, herbalists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: No.
Comments: All three professions bear risks to the public if they are not properly regulated. We can not think of any alternatives which can offer the same level of protection as statutory regulation.

Q14: If there were to be statutory regulation, should the Health Professions Council (HPC) regulate all three professions? If not, which one(s) should the HPC not regulate?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: Yes.
Comments: This is a pointless question. A joint regulation under HPC for all three professions has been in the DH agenda since 2005, and it was strongly recommended in Steering Group report. We do not see the point why any of them should be regulated separately.

Q15: If there were to be statutory regulation, should the Health Professions Council or the General Pharmaceutical Council/Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland regulate herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners?

HPC

GPC/PSNI

Unsure

Answer: HPC.
Comments: As a joint regulation, only HPC can regulate all three groups. GPC or PSNI can not regulate herbal medicine and TCM practitioners as we are practitioners, not pharmacists. We treat patients using not only herbal medicines, but acupuncture as well. The herbal medicines we use usually are tailor-made according to patient’s need; this is totally different from selling medicines to customers. It is against the basic principles to regulate herbal medicine and TCM practitioners in the same regulatory body as for pharmacists.

Q16: If neither, who should and why?

Answer: not applicable.
Comments: The first option for regulating three professions is HPC. The second option could be a joint CAM Council as recommended by DH prior to 2005.

Q17:

a) Should acupuncture be subject to a different form of regulation from that for herbalism and traditional Chinese medicine? If so, what?

Yes

Unsure

b) Can acupuncture be adequately regulated through local means, for example through Health and Safety legislation, Trading Standards legislation and Local Authority licensing?

Yes

Unsure

(a) Answer: No.
Comments: three professions should be regulated under one regulatory body. All TCM practitioners also practice acupuncture. A separate regulation will cause a lot of problems to us.

b) Can acupuncture be adequately regulated through local means, for example through Health and Safety legislation, Trading Standards legislation and Local Authority licensing?

(b) Answer: No.
Comments: All the local means mentioned here are basically the current situation which does not ensure the authority to check the qualification and does not offer and national standards for acupuncture practice. Therefore a good practice and public safety can not be guaranteed. Only a statutory regulation can offer such guarantee.

Q18.

a) Should the titles acupuncturist, herbalist and [traditional] Chinese medicine practitioner be protected?

b) If your answer is no which ones do you consider should not be legally protected?

Yes

Unsure
Answer: Yes.
Comments: Through title protection, unqualified “practitioners” will not be allowed to practice, public can be ensured that they receive treatment only from qualified and registered practitioners. This is best for the interest and safety of the public. For this reason, the titles of all three professions should be protected.

Q19: Should a new model of regulation be tested where it is the functions of acupuncture, herbal medicine and TCM that are protected, rather than the titles of acupuncturist, herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: No.
Comments: There is not any better model of regulation than statutory regulation. Ideally both title and function of the three professions should be protected. Statutory regulation can protect function through protecting title, and it is the most feasible model.

Q20: If statutory professional self-regulation is progressed, with a model of protection of title, do you agree with the proposals for “grandparenting” set out in the Pittilo report?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: Yes.
Comments: There should be a “Grandparenting” scheme in place when introducing a new regulation for existing practitioners to get registered in a more favorable and convenient way. However, the Pittilo report recommended a “Grandparenting” with favorable arrangement for professional qualification as minimum requirement), but not for English language competence. This is not fair to many Chinese TCM practitioners.

Q21: In the event of a decision that statutory or voluntary regulation is needed, do you agree that all practitioners should be able to achieve an English language IELTS score of 6.5 or above in order to register in the UK?
Answer: No.
Comments: We agree that for any future practitioners there should be an English language requirement such as IELTS 6.5 after the regulation takes place. However, for existing practitioners who have safely practised in the UK for more than 5 years, there must be some favorable arrangement on language. We do not understand why the “Grandparenting” recommended by Pittilo report offers favorable arrangement on anything else but not on language. We strongly urge that for existing practitioners, especially the members of those organizations that met the criteria set up by Steering Working Group for recommending to HPC for automatic registration, there should be some favorable arrangement on English language

Q22: Could practitioners demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and communicate effectively with regulators, the public and other healthcare professionals if they do not achieve the standard of English language competence normally required for UK registration? What additional costs would occur for both practitioners and regulatory authorities in this case?

Yes

Unsure

Answer: Yes.
Comments: Many TCM practitioners can still communicate effectively with their patients and other health professionals, even their English does not reach IELTS 6.5.
IELTS is a test mainly for young English language learners. Many non-native British practitioners have lived and practised in the UK for many years, their English is good enough for them to communicate with their patients, public and other health professionals, but they may never reach IELTS 6.5 as language test can be much more difficult to adults. For those with poor English competence, they have been using interpreter’s help in their practice in the past years and this should be allowed in the new regulation for these existing practitioners. The extra cost involved mainly to the practitioners themselves on interpretation service. And it can be left to the practitioners themselves to cover this cost.

Q23: What would the impact be on the public, practitioners and businesses (financial and regulatory burden) if practitioners unable to achieve an English language IELTS score of 6.5 or above are unable to register in the UK?

Significant impact

Some impact

No impact

Unsure

Answer: Significant impact
Comments: The biggest impact would be on those practitioners as they would be denied into register and as a consequence they will be disallowed to practise and will lose their livelihoods. Their job loss due to regulation could be a very serious issue and may be related to Human Right law, etc. The negative impact on the public would be that patients lose the access to their service from highly qualified and well experienced practitioners. Impact on the business and government etc is also obvious as if they have to discontinue their practice; it means unemployment, jobseeker benefit, human right issues, etc.

Q24: Are there any other matters you wish to draw to our attention?

Comments: Highlight of our responses
• Statutory regulation is our No1 choice;
• HPC is our favourite regulatory body;
• Three practitioners groups should be jointly regulation;
• Only registered practitioners should be allowed to use herbal medicines;
• Titles should be protected;
• There should be a favourable arrangement on English language for existing practitioners.

Comments

The US government has spent more than $22 million to help medical and nursing schools start teaching about alternative medicine

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:25:12 +0100

The US government has spent more than $22 million to help medical and nursing schools start teaching about alternative medicine.

Why?

Doctors need to know about popular remedies so they can discuss them nonjudgmentally and give competent advice, the government says, and many universities and medical groups agree.

But to critics, it's like teaching Harry Potter medicine. Students are being asked to close their eyes to science principles that guide the rest of their training in order to keep an open mind about pseudoscience, they say.

Chinese medicine= Harry Potter medicine?

No,I think you really need learn what is Chinese medicine.

Source:MSNbchealth

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New research---Tai Chi and knee pain

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:05:35 +0100

According to Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2008;

Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine have determined that patients over 65 years of age with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who engage in regular Tai Chi exercise improve physical function and experience less pain. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements to induce mental relaxation and enhance balance, strength, flexibility, and self-efficacy.

Physical components of Tai Chi are consistent with current exercise recommendations for OA, which include range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic work out. Researchers believe the mental feature of Tai Chi addresses negative effects of chronic pain by promoting psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction, and perceptions of health.

Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029102417.htm

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Flu Season in London,How acupuncture can help?

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:56:12 +0100

Do you know? Influenza is a highly contagious upper respiratory viral infection. According to MedLine Plus, tens of millions of people in the United States get the flu each year.One frequently hears claims that the current swine flu pandemic has been exaggerated because there are "only" 1000 or so deaths, while seasonal flu is estimated to contribute to tens of thousands of deaths a year.

More than 20 people with swine flu are dangerously ill as doctors warn that a second wave is hitting London.

There have been many scientific studies that bear out acupuncture’s effectiveness in raising immunity. In a recent Japanese study, for example, researchers tested subjects’ blood before and after acupuncture. They measured different types of immunity cells, including T-cells, B-cells, macrophages and Natural killer (NK) cells, and they found a statistically significant increase in these cells after acupuncture. The researchers concluded that “…acupuncture may regulate the immune system and promote the activities of humoral and cellular immunity as well as NK cell activity.[1]

So,think about acupuncture........
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Reference:Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2007 Dec;4(4):447-453.

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Dailymail--Back pain,what to do about it,,,Acupuncture

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:52:13 +0100

According to www.garrytrainer.com

I use acupuncture on every patient. After 28 years of experience, I think it is an invaluable way to release the soft tissues, ease muscle pain and prepare a physical structure for manipulation.

I use massage to locate all the tender points in the affected area and then place fine needles into these points. There is a reduction in pain perception and the muscle spasm is eased.

Acupuncture has also been proven to work when stimulating the nervous system, which induces the release of endorphins. These have a similar chemical structure to morphine.

I'm glad to know more and more practitioners understand that acupuncture play a great role in back pain treatment.

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Reuters Health:Corticosteroid shots don't help hip pain long-term .

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:44:20 +0100

According to NEW YORK (Reuters Health)

Corticosteroid shots provide quick relief for people suffering from a common type of hip pain, but the benefits don't last, a new study in The American Journal of Sports Medicine shows.

Known as greater trochanter pain syndrome (the trochanter is the upper part of the femur where it joins the pelvis), this condition is typically treated with physical therapy, training error correction, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Dr. Jan D. Rompe of the OrthoTrauma Evaluation Center in Mainz, Germany and his colleagues note.

Yes, We understand

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Reuters Health:Chinese medicine doesn't help turn breech babies

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:11:23 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A traditional Chinese therapy used for turning babies out of the breech position before birth may not be effective, a new study finds.

The study, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, tested a tactic known as moxibustion, which uses heat to stimulate a particular acupuncture point in an effort to turn a breech fetus to the head-down position before birth.

Researchers found that the method appeared no more effective than Mother Nature among the 212 women they studied.

So.Take care!

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