Pinpoint: The Acupuncture Tip Sheet
Back of the Future
As global interest in CAM treatment continues to grow, experts are learning more about the effects of acupuncture when used to treat specific ailments. One recent study shows that chronic lower back pain, which is common in people between the ages of 30 and 50, can be treated effectively via acupuncture. The study included 638 adults with chronic lower back pain, none of whom had ever tried the treatment. After eight weeks, researchers found that patients reported a decrease in back pain, which was much more significant than the decrease (or lack of a decrease) reported by the group receiving normal care. Whether this study proves the efficacy of acupuncture or the failure of conventional methods such as NSAID's ("non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin) is yet to be seen.
In other news:
Anglo-Puncture: The NHS (National Health Service) in the U.K. has revised their stance on lower back pain, now offering acupuncture as a viable treatment.
Don't be a Pinhead, use Acupuncture: A recent study shows how acupuncture can help treat those who suffer from acute migraine prophylaxis.
Acupuncture and Addiction: For those who just can't kick the habit, a new holistic treatment program uses acupuncture and other CAM treatments to help patients quit smoking. The treatment aims to curb the cravings of patients, using acupuncture to stop the impulse to smoke.
Pain in the Neck
Those with chronic neck pain have long rushed to the massage table. Truth is there’s no reliable evidence that this oft-sought therapy is effective at relieving neck pain. However, recent studies have shown that acupuncture, a less popular remedy, is far more effective. A study published in the British Medical Journal assigned 177 patients with chronic neck pain to either acupuncture, massage, or placebo groups. Those undergoing acupuncture reported less pain, both after the first treatment and at the end of the study.
Subjects treated with acupuncture also reported more than a 50% improvement in pain related to motion, compared with 29% in the massage therapy group and 25% in the control group. The researchers conclude that acupuncture, though not a cure, offers clear advantages over clinical massage in the management of chronic neck pain.
In other news:
On Point
Athletes like Maria Sharapova, Yao Ming, and Shaquille O’Neal include acupuncture as a regular part of their training
regimes. The Beijing Olympics even offered free acupuncture at Athlete Village. Benefits of acupuncture for athletes include decreasing pain, swelling, spasms and inflammation. It can also be used to increase range of motion and prevent future injury.
Picture of Health
Acupuncture has been shown to aid recovery in cancer to cold patients. See how your immune system works and how acupuncture can help bolster it.
Forget Fad Diets
It sounds too good to be true, but for those who struggle with their weight, acupuncture may be the answer. In a study of 3,013 obese individuals published in the American Journal of Obesity, acupuncture was shown to be more effective than diet and exercise for weight loss. Those undergoing acupuncture lost an average of 1.56 kilograms (3.4 pounds) more than their dieting counterparts. Acupuncture is known to help reduce stress and anxiety, feelings that often cause cravings for high-calorie comfort foods. By reducing these troublesome emotions that lead to overeating, many find that acupuncture can be a powerful tool for weight loss.
In other news:
Oh, go poke yourself: Acupressure is a needle-free, DIY alternative to pricey acupuncture treatments. Applying pressure to the same points used in acupuncture can have a similar effect in just moments. For example, press on the muscle between your thumb and index finger instant calm.
Blues fighting: Several studies have found that acupuncture has a calming, mood-elevating effect and may be as helpful in treating depression as medication and therapy--without the side effects or high costs.
Back on the Fertility Track
Acupunture helps regulate menstruation in women with absent or erratic cycles associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), according to a study at the University of Virginia Health Center. It may even help women with PCOS, many of whom have fertility issues, become pregnant.
Posh Treatment: Good-bye botox, hello acupuncture, say a growing cadre of A-list celebrities. From Angelina Jolie to Madonna, stars are turning to acupuncture for wellbeing.
Alternative to Sickness: Some parents of children who continually come down with illnesses have turned to acupuncture to help keep their little ones healthy.
Cancel the Itchy and Scratchy Show: It’s a frustrating cycle: You scratch, and then you feel itchy again. Some neuroscientists suggest that undergoing acupuncture might break the pattern and soothe irritating spots.
Backed By Popular Demand
From back pain and headaches to depression and the common cold, more Americans are turning to acupuncture and other alternative treatments each year despite the lack of medical evidence. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, around 2 million Americans were using alternative treatments in 2002, but in 2007 the number increased to 3.1 million. Even with the increase in use, the American Medical Association hesitates to endorse these therapies until efficacy can be proven. One thing is clear: Whether the benefits of acupuncture are biological or psychological, they keep patients returning faithfully, and the patients are spreading the word.
Also in the News:
Military Says Yes, Sir: The U.S. Military has been using acupuncture to ease pain according to The Huffington Post.
Puppy Love: Jennifer Aniston keeps her Corgi-Terrier, Norman, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with professional massages and acupuncture treatment.
In the Books: Acupuncturists in Tennessee and Mississippi are pushing lawmakers to allow health insurance coverage for their brand of therapy.
PMS? Woe, Be Gone
Of all the ways to lessen the effects of PMS, who would have ever guessed acupuncture would be so successful. According to a news report from Seattle, women are increasingly using pinpricks to combat irritability and boost mood. For some women, the decision came as a last resort when other strategies proved ineffective. Doctors suggest acupuncture may stimulate endorphins in the brain, activating the bodies’ natural cure for pain and discomfort. Acupuncture may work best in combination with other lifestyle adjustments, such as exercising more and eating a well-balanced diet, two common methods of combating the symptoms of PMS.
Also in the News:
So Long, Allergies Acupuncture may offer relief for hay fever—unless you’re also allergic to needles.
Doctor Tells All A Tennessee physician offers his own tale of acupuncture’s effectiveness for treating headaches and other pains.
The Rich and Famous To keep up her energy, Gwyneth Paltrow, young mother and A-list actress, has added acupuncture to her regimen.
Stressed? Relax with Some Needling
If you're among the people who have never considered the prick of a needle therapeutic, there may be reason to reconsider. Acupuncture, while still not entirely understood, has been shown to treat post-traumatic stress disorder as effectively as other leading therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Researchers in Kentucky randomly assigned subjects suffering from PTSD to receive no treatment, CBT, or acupuncture. Those receiving no treatment showed little improvement, but acupuncture fared nearly as well as CBT in reducing stress. What's more, the effects lasted up to three months.
Also in the news:
Air Force One: Looking to expand training for medical acupuncture, the Air Force has opened its first full-time acupuncture clinic.
Oh My Achy Joints: People dealing with pain and joint problems can refer to this Q & A on how acupuncture can help.
Hold The Mayo: For those of you who are unfamiliar of acupuncture, the Mayo Clinic answers questions about all things related to acupuncture.
