Articles tagged with Acupuncture
Acupuncture at Yongquan acupoints induced stronger neuronal activation than sham points, increasing synaptic activity in areas involved in conscious thought. This may explain the improvement of patients with disorder of consciousness.
Acupuncture at Waiguan inhibited Brodmann area 5 on the healthy side of stroke patients, indicating a possible association with a central mechanism for improved outcomes. This study suggests that acupuncture at specific points can have therapeutic effects on brain function in patients with ischemic stroke.
A rat model of heroin relapse showed improved brain structure and increased neurotrophic factor expression after acupuncture treatment. The study suggests that acupuncture at specific points may protect brain neurons against injury and promote recovery from heroin addiction.
The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is involved in the protective mechanism of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosa. Moxibustion pretreatment at the Zusanli point can protect against acute gastric mucosa injury, while NTS damage inhibits these responses.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that acupuncture at Baihui and Dazhui points can prevent brain cell apoptosis in heroin-addicted rats. This effect is similar to that of methadone, a commonly used drug for treating addiction.
Researchers found that acupuncture/electroacupuncture combined with Seroxat improves depressive symptoms and reduces obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptoms. The treatment produces a rapid onset of therapeutic effect.
A Rutgers-led study finds acupuncture can reduce inflammation and organ injury in septic mice, with half surviving for at least a week. The treatment also triggers increased levels of dopamine, which may help alleviate other inflammatory diseases like arthritis and Crohn's disease.
Research published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that widely used acupuncture needles have significant surface irregularities and inconsistencies, which could lead to painful reactions, bleeding, or bruising. The study calls for manufacturers to review and improve their quality control procedures for needle fabrication.
A new analysis found that both real and sham acupuncture may help alleviate breast cancer drug side effects. Patients who received real acupuncture experienced less joint/muscle discomfort and menopausal symptoms compared to those receiving sham acupuncture.
A small study found that both real and sham acupuncture eased hot flashes and side effects of anticancer drug treatment in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Researchers noted improvements in depression, quality of life, and menopausal symptoms in both groups.
A new analysis found that both real and sham acupuncture treatments alleviate side effects of breast cancer drugs, including hot flashes and joint/muscle pain. Women who received real acupuncture had a greater reduction in symptoms if they were African American.
A recent study found that ear acupuncture using five points may be more effective in reducing midriff bulge than single-point stimulation. The treatment led to significant reductions in BMI and waist circumference after four weeks, with the most notable effects seen in the group using the five-point approach.
The study found that stimulation at Neiguan with a frequency of 1 Hz and long duration of 180 seconds significantly increased cerebral blood flow and decreased the ratio of infarct volume. A frequency of 2/3 Hz and short duration of 5/60 seconds also showed positive effects.
The study examined changes in brain functional activity and central networks in subjects with migraine undergoing acupuncture at Shaoyang uncommon acupoints. Acupuncture has been shown to be a recommended treatment for migraine sufferers, but the central analgesic mechanism remains poorly understood.
Researchers found acupuncture activates ephrin-B/EphB signaling, potentially improving pain and repairing injured nerves. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effects on neuropathic injury and pain.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that combining acupuncture or counselling with usual care can significantly reduce depression symptoms in patients with recurring depression. The study also showed a reduction in serious pneumococcal infections, highlighting the importance of vaccination in reducing these diseases.
A study by researchers at the University of York found that combining acupuncture or counselling with usual care improved depression symptoms in patients after three months. The study showed significant reductions in average depression scores for both acupuncture and counselling interventions, but not between the two groups.
Research found that responses to placebos are influenced by diverse factors including route of administration, environmental cues, and learning. Participants' expectations correlated with pain thresholds and tolerance, suggesting a complex relationship between placebo effects and individual traits. Sham acupuncture's effect on genuine ...
A systematic analysis of acupuncture and in vitro fertilization (IVF) found that adding acupuncture to IVF treatment increased pregnancy success rates at fertility clinics with lower baseline pregnancy rates. The study, published in Human Reproduction Update, suggests that acupuncture may be beneficial as an add-on procedure for these ...
A study by Dr. Zoltan Medgyessy found that applying pressure to the P6 antiemetic point on the inner wrist with an acupressure wristband significantly reduced nausea intensity in patients experiencing migraines, with relief reported after just 28 minutes.
Researchers examined new methods for managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle changes. Vitamin D supplementation was found to significantly relieve symptoms of Crohn's disease, including muscle strength and fatigue.
A special issue of Medical Acupuncture explores the basic science and mechanisms of action underlying medical acupuncture. The study found associations between neurotransmitters in the brain and patient responses to traditional vs. sham acupuncture, suggesting improved outcomes with matched treatments.
Researchers investigated the effects of medical yoga on patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and found significant decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. In another study, acupressure was shown to reduce pulse rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with persistent AF.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have demonstrated how acupuncture can significantly reduce the stress hormone response in an animal model of chronic stress. The study used rats and found that electronic acupuncture blocks the chronic, stress-induced elevations of the HPA axis hormones and the sympathetic NPY pathway.
A randomized controlled trial found that acupuncture with intense stimulation (de qi) improves facial muscle recovery, disability, and quality of life in patients with Bell palsy. The study suggests de qi is a key factor in achieving therapeutic effects in this condition.
Acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in symptoms and medication use for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Increasing CT screening thresholds could decrease false positive results but may delay cancer diagnosis. The American College of Physicians has released a new tip sheet with these findings.
A systematic review of four studies suggests that acupuncture may have a positive effect on exercise performance and recovery after exercise. However, additional trials with larger sample sizes and randomized designs are required to confirm these findings.
A study published in Annals of Oncology found that acupuncture can relieve symptoms of dry mouth (xerostomia) caused by radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Patients who received acupuncture reported improved dry mouth symptoms, while those receiving oral care education showed no significant improvement.
Diabetic patients with gastroparesis can benefit from chronic electrical stimulation at specific acupuncture points, improving symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The treatment is home-based, non-invasive, and has low side effects.
A study of 29 randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment or sham acupuncture for managing some types of chronic pain. Patients who received acupuncture had lower pain scores compared to those in control groups.
Researchers found clinically significant improvements in pain levels and functional capacity after acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The service could save the NHS around £100,000 a year, with group acupuncture being popular among nurses and patients.
Dr. Anastasi's $2.5 million NIH grant aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture/moxibustion in reducing abdominal pain and IBS symptoms. The randomized, blinded study will follow rigorous clinical trial standards.
Researchers found that herbal agents can prevent sunburn and limit UV damage, with golden serpent fern and Asian ginseng showing promising photoprotective properties when taken orally. Green tea applied topically also offers photoprotection in sufficient doses.
A recent clinical trial published in Neurological Sciences demonstrates the efficacy of Sea-Band wristbands in reducing migraine-related nausea. The study showed significant improvement in nausea scores and a high percentage of responders to treatment, supporting the use of Sea-Band as a drug-free remedy for this condition.
Studies have found that herbal remedies like valerian, hops, and kava-kava show promise in managing insomnia symptoms, improving sleep quality and duration. However, more research is needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of these natural therapies for insomnia management.
A small clinical trial suggests that acupuncture improves dyspnea and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After 12 weeks of treatment, the Borg scale score improved from 5.5 to 1.9 in the real acupuncture group.
Researchers found that acupuncture can reverse decreases in muscle mass and mRNA expression levels of muscle-specific atrophic genes. The study holds promise for improving mobility through muscle rejuvenation in the elderly and medical patients.
Scientists at UNC have developed a new method for delivering long-lasting pain relief through PAPuncture, which mimics the molecular mechanism behind acupuncture. The treatment has been shown to provide up to six-day pain relief in animal models and may be applicable to any area where regional anesthesia is performed.
Two randomized controlled trials found acupuncture to be equally effective as sham acupuncture in treating migraines. About half of patients showed improvement after 16 weeks. The clinical effect of acupuncture is considered minor and may be due to the placebo effect.
Researchers found that combining TCM therapy and intrauterine insemination (IUI) significantly increases fertility success rates to 65.5% compared to 39.4%. The study suggests that Chinese medicine can promote balance and harmony in the womb, affecting ovulation, menstrual cycle, blood flow, and endorphin production.
The US military is using acupuncture to help wounded warriors with pain, PTSD, and mild traumatic brain injury. A special issue of Medical Acupuncture explores the potential uses of acupuncture in the military and current research activities.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that acupuncture significantly reduces levels of neuropeptide Y, a protein linked to chronic stress, in rats. The study suggests that acupuncture may offer a proven therapy for stress relief, which is often difficult to treat.
A small pilot study suggests that acupuncture can improve nerve signaling and alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients. The treatment showed positive effects on nerve conduction studies and patient-reported improvements, sparking hope for further investigation into its potential benefits.
A study of over 200 pregnant women found that nearly half used alternative methods such as walking, sex, or spicy food to try to bring on labor. These techniques were often tried despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, and some may pose risks to mother and baby.
A study by Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that acupuncture significantly improved the overall health status of patients with unexplained symptoms. The treatment also led to reduced medication use and improved wellbeing, without affecting GP visits or clinical outcomes. Patients reported positive experiences with the ...
A study published in PLoS ONE found that simulated acupuncture, also known as placebo, was just as effective as real acupuncture in reducing nausea in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. The researchers suggested that the benefits may be due to patient expectations and extra care received during treatment.
A new study published in Pain journal finds that acupuncture has little convincing evidence of effectiveness in reducing pain, while causing serious adverse effects. The authors call for better training of acupuncturists to minimize avoidable harm.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is conducting a Phase III randomized clinical trial to examine whether acupuncture can prevent xerostomia, a debilitating side effect of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. The study aims to determine if true acupuncture effectively prevents radiation-induced xerostomia and im...
A small clinical trial suggests traditional Chinese acupuncture can curb the severity of menopausal hot flushes and other symptoms. The treatment showed cumulative benefits, with significant improvements in somatic and psychological symptoms but minimal impact on urogenital symptoms.
A University of Colorado Boulder study indicates acupressure may improve cognitive function in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury. Researchers used a form of acupuncture called Jin Shin to stimulate specific points on the body and showed significant improvements in working memory and attention.
A Michigan State University study is investigating the effectiveness of acupressure on persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The research aims to alleviate symptoms that decrease quality of life and are associated with depression, poor sleep quality, and decreased well-being.
A study found that acupuncture improved visual acuity in older children with lazy eye, comparable to patching therapy. Acupuncture was well-tolerated and showed promising results in treating anisometropic amblyopia.
The study used fMRI to capture brain activity while patients experienced pain with and without acupuncture. Results showed significant reduction in activation of pain-processing areas under acupuncture, supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving pain.
A comprehensive review of 10 studies involving 711 patients found no evidence that acupuncture aids in stroke recovery. The researchers concluded that the existing evidence is negative, calling for large-scale trials to better understand its effects.
A systematic review of available evidence finds that pharmaceutical and alternative medicines offer limited relief from morning sickness in pregnancy. Despite a lack of conclusive results, some studies suggest potential benefits from ginger, vitamin B6, and acustimulation.
A clinical study by Heidelberg cardiologists found that acupuncture increases skeletal muscle strength, allowing heart patients to cover greater distances during exercise. The treatment also reduced inflammation messengers in the blood, which contribute to muscle fatigue.
Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center discover adenosine's role in paralyzing pain signals, tripling acupuncture effects in mice by adding medication. The study identifies molecular mechanism underlying acupuncture's pain-relieving properties.
A new technique combining gentle tapping and emotional focus has been shown to significantly reduce food cravings in people who are overweight or obese. After just four two-hour sessions, participants experienced a long-lasting reduction in cravings, with some even forgetting their previous struggles.
A small study found that acupuncture reduces anxiety in highly anxious dental patients, enabling them to receive necessary treatments. Researchers assessed 20 patients using the Back Anxiety Inventory before and after five minutes of acupuncture treatment, resulting in a significant decrease in BAI scores.
A study led by Columbia University Irving Medical Center researchers found that acupuncture significantly improved joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy. The treatment reduced pain severity and improved physical well-being.