The Acupuncture Guru

Study shows acupuncture beats out medication in the treatment of menstrual pain. In a study in Hubei University School of Medicine in China, women were divided into two groups. One group was to receive acupuncture while the other was to be given the NSAID (Ibuprofen). The acupuncture group had an effectiveness rate of 98% while the medication group had an effectiveness rate of 58%.

Scientists at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea have applied nanotechnology to acupuncture needles creating "Porous Acupuncture Needles" (PANs), which research has shown to improve the transmission of nerve signalling. So far, however, there's no word if, or when, these needles will become available.

Acupuncture is effective for a wide variety of diabetes-related conditions. Diabetic gastroparesis, pathologically slow movement of food through the stomach and small intestine due to high glucose levels damaging the vagus nerve, is well treated by acupuncture. Acupuncture, as a complement to conventional treatment, has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and to lower blood glucose.

Studies demonstrate that acupuncture is an effective method for relieving migraines. Small clinical studies and large scale meta-analyses confirm the efficacy of acupuncture. Additional research demonstrates that acupuncture is an effective alternative to medications for the treatment of migraines with acupuncture demonstrating superior positive patient outcomes in both short and long-term results.

https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1633-acupuncture-proven-effective-for-migraine-relief

Researchers conclude that acupuncture for gynecologic laparoscopy patients reduces general anesthesia dosage requirements, decreases post-surgical pain, and improves the time to wake and time to fully alert after surgery. In a controlled investigation, acupuncture patients scored better in many other indices as well. Patients having received acupuncture during surgery had increased stability of the heart beat and improved blood pressure upon waking. The results were achieved by applying electroacupuncture to two acupuncture points located on hand and forearm.

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Anti-inflammatory biochemical responses are stimulated by the application of acupuncture. As a result, the body decreases swelling associated with arthritis. In addition, acupuncture prevents postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. The research is confirmed across several studies including laboratory investigations.

In the treatment chronic gastritis, a Chinese study showed that acupuncture outperforms ranitidine, an H2 antihistamine commonly known by the brand name Zantac. While both acupuncture and ranitidine reduced or eliminated gastric mucosal lesions and inflammation, gastroscopy showed that acupuncture had a 96.4% efficacy while ranitidine had an efficacy rate of 69.9%.

New research indicates that combining acupuncture with metformin improves insulin sensitivity in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Patients that did received both acupuncture and took metformin can see decreases in both fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. Other factors involved in insulin resistance also showed improvements. Considering that many patients with Type 2 diabetes are already taking metformin as prescribed by their physician, adding acupuncture can be a valuable complement to their therapy. 

http://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/online/%7Bb919805c-8786-4092-80ab-c7118a22aaa5%7D/combined-acupuncture-metformin-therapy-increases-insulin-sensitivity-in-diabetes

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In a meta-analysis of studies involving over 17,000 patients, acupuncture has been proven effective in reducing chronic pain.

http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1275-finally-acupuncture-proven-to-reduce-pain

Acupuncture more effective as Claritin for initial symptom relief, and only acupuncture showed lasting improvements at 10 week follow up. http://tinyurl.com/lzppqxf

Researchers conclude that acupuncture effectively reduces frozen shoulder pain and restores functionality. I'm not surprised by this since I do this every day. http://tinyurl.com/lw7jtfn

Acupuncture beneficial for elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-07/nrr-aat072114.php

Repeated acupuncture treatments result in higher ovulation frequency in lean/overweight women with PCOS.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23482444/

Now this is fascinating: new studies show that acupuncture has neuroprotective effects, i.e. it protects the brain. This has all sorts of potential clinical implications such as the treatment of stroke victims.

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/761-electronli11st36

When I was in Beijing about 15 years ago, these studies were already being done. So, I was well aware of the effects of acupuncture on the brain. In these studies, each acupuncture point stimulated elicited unique responses in the brain. Although this is one study, there are many that show acupuncture has an effect on the brain that affects the conditions being treated.

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/764-mrilr4st44

In the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis, electro-acupuncture coupled with conventional treatments provided a success rate of 80%, which was more effective than conventional treatments alone with effects lasting for at least six weeks.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23227789

A new study has found that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease as well as other diseases characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea.

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/766-ibdibs

Research shows that acupuncture, specifically the acupoint SJ 3, helps with hearing loss. I find this very interesting especially because this is one of the main points I use for hearing-related disorders. I have found it very useful for those with meniere's disease; and have had people regain hearing.

The researchers note that manual manipulation of acupuncture point SJ3 (TB3, Zhongzhu) causes brain hemodynamic responses in the auditory cortex. The brain response is accompanied by an increase in auditory cortex signal strength thereby indicating a modulatory effect of acupuncture needle stimulation on the brain's ability to react to auditory stimuli.

Acupuncture, particularly the acupoints of LV3 and GB 34, has been shown to slow the progress of Parkinson's by preventing the breakdown of an important brain-protecting enzyme.

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/662-acupuncturecslowsparkinsonsdiseasenewdiscoverygb34