 |
|
Pain relieving effects of acupuncture are limited
January 28, 2009Research: Acupuncture treatment for pain; Systematic review of randomized clinical trials with acupuncture, placebo acupuncture and no acupuncture groups, BMJ online
The pain relieving effects of acupuncture compared with placebo are small and seem to lack clinical relevance, according to a study published on bmj.com today.
Researchers at the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Copenhagen analysed evidence from thirteen acupuncture pain trials involving over 3,000 patients. The trials compared three arms of treatment (real acupuncture, placebo or 'pretend' acupuncture or no acupuncture) for a broad range of common conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, migraine, low back pain and post-operative pain.
Before the analysis, differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
They found a small analgesic effect of real acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture. This corresponded to a reduction in pain levels of about 4mm on a 100mm pain scoring scale. A 10mm reduction on this scale is classed as 'minimal' or 'little change' so the apparent analgesic effect of acupuncture seems to be below a clinically relevant pain improvement, say the authors.
They found a moderate difference between placebo acupuncture and no acupuncture (10mm on a 100mm pain scoring scale), but the effect of placebo acupuncture varied considerably. Some large trials reported effects of placebo that were of clear clinical relevance (24mm), whereas other large trials found effects that seemed clinically irrelevant (5mm).
The authors could not explain this variation, but they did not find an association between the type of placebo acupuncture and its effect.
Our findings correspond with several Cochrane reviews on acupuncture for various types of pain, which all concluded that there was no clear evidence of an analgesic effect of acupuncture, say the authors.
Our findings also question both the traditional foundation of acupuncture and the prevailing theory that acupuncture has important effect on pain in general.
They suggest that future trials focus on reducing bias and trying to separate the physiological effect of using a needle and the psychological impact of the treatment ritual.
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Adrian White and Dr Mike Cummings of the British Medical Acupuncture Society suggest that although the overall effect of acupuncture in relation to usual care is not large, it may be clinically relevant for musculoskeletal conditions, particularly in view of the limited treatment options, and acupuncture's safety record and patient preference.
They believe that future research should focus on comparing acupuncture with best existing treatments for different conditions.
Acupuncture seems, in part at least, to use neurological pathways in common with placebo analgesia and the study of these may offer important insights into improving care, they conclude.
BMJ-British Medical Journal
Before the analysis, differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
They found a small analgesic effect of real acupuncture compared to placebo acupuncture. This corresponded to a reduction in pain levels of about 4mm on a 100mm pain scoring scale. A 10mm reduction on this scale is classed as 'minimal' or 'little change' so the apparent analgesic effect of acupuncture seems to be below a clinically relevant pain improvement, say the authors.
They found a moderate difference between placebo acupuncture and no acupuncture (10mm on a 100mm pain scoring scale), but the effect of placebo acupuncture varied considerably. Some large trials reported effects of placebo that were of clear clinical relevance (24mm), whereas other large trials found effects that seemed clinically irrelevant (5mm).
The authors could not explain this variation, but they did not find an association between the type of placebo acupuncture and its effect.
Our findings correspond with several Cochrane reviews on acupuncture for various types of pain, which all concluded that there was no clear evidence of an analgesic effect of acupuncture, say the authors.
Our findings also question both the traditional foundation of acupuncture and the prevailing theory that acupuncture has important effect on pain in general.
They suggest that future trials focus on reducing bias and trying to separate the physiological effect of using a needle and the psychological impact of the treatment ritual.
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Adrian White and Dr Mike Cummings of the British Medical Acupuncture Society suggest that although the overall effect of acupuncture in relation to usual care is not large, it may be clinically relevant for musculoskeletal conditions, particularly in view of the limited treatment options, and acupuncture's safety record and patient preference.
They believe that future research should focus on comparing acupuncture with best existing treatments for different conditions.
Acupuncture seems, in part at least, to use neurological pathways in common with placebo analgesia and the study of these may offer important insights into improving care, they conclude.
BMJ-British Medical Journal
Acupuncture Current Events and Acupuncture News RSSWhen East meets West: Why consumers turn to alternative medicine
Alternative health remedies are increasingly important in the health care marketplace. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research explores how consumers choose among the many available remedies.
Brain-damaged children often have cold feet
Many wheelchair-using children with neurological disorders have much colder hands and feet than other children, and most receive no special help even though they have had these problems for a long time, is revealed in at thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Alternative medicine use increasing for patients suffering with chronic rhinosinusitis
A new study suggests that a growing segment of patients are turning to complementary and alternative medical therapies to help treat the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Penn studies point to strategies for reducing painful breast cancer drug side effects
Aromatase inhibitors, the same drugs that have buoyed long-term survival rates among breast cancer patients, also carry side effects including joint pain so severe that many patients discontinue these lifesaving medicines.
Study Shows Common Pain Cream Could Protect Heart During Attack
New research from the University of Cincinnati shows that a common, over-the-counter pain salve rubbed on the skin during a heart attack could serve as a cardiac-protectant, preventing or reducing damage to the heart while interventions are administered.
In vitro fertilization less successful with alternative fertility treatments
Women who are desperately trying to get pregnant might want to avoid complementary and alternative medicine.
Scientists help explain effects of ancient Chinese herbal formulas on heart health
New research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests that ancient Chinese herbal formulas used primarily for cardiovascular indications including heart disease may produce large amounts of artery-widening nitric oxide.
Chinese acupuncture affects brain's ability to regulate pain, UM study shows
Acupuncture has been used in East-Asian medicine for thousands of years to treat pain, possibly by activating the body's natural painkillers. But how it works at the cellular level is largely unknown.
For Women With PCOS, Acupuncture And Exercise May Bring Relief, Reduce Risks
Exercise and electro-acupuncture treatments can reduce sympathetic nerve activity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), according to a new study.
Results of phase I trial of novel herbal therapy for men at high risk of prostate cancer
Results of a phase I clinical trial of a novel herb-based therapeutic called Zyflamend have demonstrated that the therapy is associated with minimal toxicity and no serious adverse events in men at high-risk for developing prostate cancer.
More Acupuncture Current Events and Acupuncture News Articles
 |
Acupuncture for Everyone: What It Is, Why It Works, and How It Can Help You by Ruth Lever Kidson (Author), Dr. Ruth Kidson (Author) Learn how to find a good practitioner and what to expect from consultation and treatment * Recommended for acupuncturists' waiting rooms. * Designed for people with no previous knowledge of acupuncture. In this revised edition of Acupuncture for Everyone--regarded by many practitioners as the most concise and useful book about acupunture available--Dr. Kidson provides a clear understanding of how acupuncturists make their diagnoses and how this determines what treatment they implement. Illustrations are included to help the reader understand what the acupuncturist does and why. Kidson also explains the fundamental principles of Chinese medicine underlying this effective therapy, offers advice on how to find a good practitioner, and shows what to expect from consultation and... |
 |
Acupuncture Needles by Seirin - Sterile #3 Gauge 30 mm Blue J-Type by AME by Seirin - AME Seirin Sterile Acupuncture Needles The SEIRIN disposable acupuncture needles with a new technology allows for smooth painless insertion using less pressure and features an easy grip, color coded, lightweight plastic handle with a soft touch top. The Seirin Acupuncture needles are packaged 100 needles per box. D-Type needles are only available in 15 mm and have no insertion tube. J-Type needles are available in 30mm, 40mm, 50mm and include insertion tubes. Seirin Needles are only available for shipment in the United States. |
 |
Complete Idiot's Guide to Acupuncture and Acupressure by David W. Sollars (Author) If you are interested in knowning more about acupressure and acupuncture, this guide covers all aspects of treatment from choosing a practitioner to follow-up excercises. It provides a comprehensive listing of medical ailments from acne to menopause that can be healed naturally. |
 |
Color Atlas of Acupuncture: Body Points - Ear Points - Trigger Points (Complementary Medicine (Thieme Paperback)) by Hans-Ulrich Hecker (Author), Angelika Steveling (Author), Elmar Peuker (Author), Joerg Kastner (Author) This is the book professionals have been asking for! For the first time, a single pocket atlas covers all the major body and ear acupuncture points, as well as an extensive coverage of trigger points. Detailed descriptions of the localization, needling depth, indications, and functions of each point are provided. The different schools of ear acupuncture (e.g. Chinese v. Nogier), often a source of confusion for many practitioners, are presented side-by-side, enhancing this book's usefulness as a daily reference guide. This second edition includes an updated and expanded section on trigger points with 30 additional full-color images.<br><br>The authors come from diverse specialties, giving you the most complete and accurate information available. Acupuncture points are described... |
 |
Professional 2500Hz Dual Channel Massager Acupuncture Therapist, Pain Relief and Relaxation for All Around Your Body by Aokewei Professional Dual Channel Massager is an easy to use, safe and non-invasive body massager that provides a variety of benefits. This dual channel massager enables you to effectively reduce and relieve your pain symptoms through therapeutic massage and non-invasive acupuncture. For active people, it provides a flexible massaging experience which has a very beneficial effect on muscle and back, shoulders or neck stiffness. This unit is also very good for soothing overall bodily fatigue and improves blood circulation and metabolism in the treated areas. Intelligent electronics preprogrammed treatments allow a wide variety of applications. Setting the device is remarkably easy and each massage mode and program stage is easy to monitor on the large display. |
 |
A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman (Author), Mazin Al-Khafaji (Author), Kevin Baker (Author) Once in a great while an extraordinary book is published that sets an entirely new standard in its field. A Manual of Acupuncture, published by Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, is just such a book. Painstakingly researched over many years by Peter Deadman, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Chinese Medicine, and colleagues Mazin Al-Khafaji and Kevin Baker, this book has become the primary reference in the West for the study of acupuncture points and channels. With the subtle use of color to illustrate the acupuncture points and anatomical features, the new second edition of A Manual of Acupuncture is even more attractive and user-friendly than the first. Introductory chapters describe and illustrate the channels and collaterals, the various categories of points, and... |
 |
Finding Effective Acupuncture Points by Shudo Denmei (Author), Stephen Brown (Translator) There are many books about acupuncture points, but what is lacking are descriptions by expert practitioners of how they themselves actually go about selecting, finding, and using the points. This type of book would allow the reader to "peer over the shoulder" of the expert to find out what they really do in the clinic. Finding Effective Acupuncture Points does just that. Shudo Denmei, author of Japanese Classical Acupuncture: Introduction to Meridian Therapy, and a leader of the meridian therapy movement in Japan, has selected about 160 of his favorite points, the ones he actually uses in the clinic. Here he describes in specific detail how to use palpation to find each of the points on the body, and to determine whether or not they are "active." Then he identifies the particular... |
 |
Family Doctor Massager Acupuncture Therapist, Pain Relief and Relaxation for All Around Your Body by Aokewei The Family Doctor Massager is specially designed to reduce the effect of muscle stress and pain. The massager simulates traditional Chinese remedies directed into the painful area of the body. The massager produces a therapeutic effect particularly for patients suffering from pain in the neck, back, loin and various other joints. There are six exclusively designed programs for the massager, each program itself consisting of six differing modes of healing composition, achieving a feeling of manual massage by hand. Through consistent use of the massager and its functions, patients can improve the blood circulation through muscles and benefit from reduced fatigue as well as strengthening of muscles. |
 |
Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text by Chen Chiu Hseuh (Author), John O'Connor (Translator) Compiled by the faculty of one of China's leading schools of traditional medicine, Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text is among the most authoritative textbooks and reference sources in its field. Since its translation into English in 1981, it has become a standard text used throughout the world. Included are descriptions of more than a thousand acupuncture points, hundreds of prescriptions (both ancient and modern) for the treatment of numerous diseases, and detailed discussion of a variety of acupuncture techniques and modalities ranging from ear, head, hand and foot acupuncture to moxibustion, cupping and surgical techniques. There are chapters devoted to modern research concerning acupuncture phenomena, and others which critically analyze ancient theory and methodology.... |
 |
Piezo-DX - Plus Acupuncture Unit - AME by AME Piezo-stim for trigger points or acu-points in an easy-to-use, pocket size unit. Piezo produces an individually pulsed, high volt/low current, mono-phasic wave form. The pulse is generated when pressure is applied and released to the tuned solid state ceramic quartz crystal in the unit. Requires no battery or external power source. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |