|
Headache
The October issue of the journal Headache has published a study that found that supplementing medical management with acupuncture may result in improvements in frequency and pain intensity of headaches. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine were lead by Dr. Wunian Chen, an instructor in the department of family medicine trained in the use of traditional Chinese acupuncture. A randomized, controlled trial of 74 patients with chronic daily headache (CDH) compared medical management provided by neurologists to medical management plus ten acupuncture treatments. Daily pain severity and headache-related quality of life (QoL) were measured. Medical management plus acupuncture resulted in an improvement of three points on the Headache Impact Test and eight or more points on Short Form 36 Health Survey. After six weeks, patients receiving acupuncture were 3.7 times more likely to have less headaches.
For more information on acupuncture, please visit Natural Standard's Complementary Practices Database.
The International Headache Society criteria for chronic tension-type headache are headaches on 15 or more days a month (180 days per year), for at least six months. It is estimated that 4-7 percent of Americans suffer with chronic headaches. For more information on chronic headache treatments please visit Natural Standard's Condition Center.
References: 1) Coeytaux RR, Kaufman JS, Kaptchuk TJ, Chen W, Miller WC, Callahan LF, Mann JD. A randomized, controlled trial of acupuncture for chronic daily headache. Headache. 2005 Oct;45(9):1113-23. View Abstract.
Fibromyalgia
New Acupuncture Study Reveals Benefits for Fibromyalgia
The results of a Mayo Clinic study, presented at the 11th World Congress of the International Association for the Study of Pain, held in Sydney, Australia in August 2005 showed that FM patients treated with acupuncture experienced significant improvement. Dr. David Martin, the lead investigator on this study, was quoted as saying, “This study shows that there is something real about acupuncture and its effects on fibromyalgia.”
“It’s my speculation that if acupuncture works for these patients with recalcitrant fibromyalgia – where previous treatment had not provided satisfactory relief – it would likely work for many of the millions of fibromyalgia patients.”
Participants included 50 FM patients who had not experienced success with other symptom-relief treatments. The patients were randomly assigned to the acupuncture group and the control group, who received simulated acupuncture treatments.
Link:
http://www.fmaware.org/fmOnlineNewsletter/2005/vol5_no13/article_acupuncture.htm
Stroke Recovery
A study conducted at the Daniel Freeman Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles, CA suggests that acupuncture may improve lower extremity motor function, as well as providing enhanced pain control for joints of the lower extremity.
Functional independence, a measure describing individuals’ ability to navigate the activities of daily living, also showed improvement with acupuncture treatment.
Read more: www.AcupunctureToday.com/forums
Pain Management
Through promoting the production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain control system, acupuncture has been shown to be helpful for decreasing pain in the back and musculoskeletal system.
Read more: www.back-pain-management.com/acupuncture.html
Stress
Acupuncture can help to alleviate the effects of stress on the body, as well as promoting relaxation and alleviation of physical discomfort.
Read more: www.AcupunctureToday.com/archives2002/aug/08grout.html
Fertility
Through influencing the body’s hormonal system and promoting circulation, women’s fertility may be enhanced through acupuncture treatment.
Read more:www.AcupunctureToday.com/archives2002/jul/07ivf.html
Cancer
As an adjunct to chemotherapy or other treatment, acupuncture can help to minimize nausea and vomiting, ease pain related to surgery, and promote energy.
Read more:www.AcupunctureToday.com/archives2003/feb/02iq.html
|
