Acupuncture studies using the standard “Evidence Based Medicine” are difficult to conduct as there are limitation to how an effective placebo can be carried out. Even studies that use so called “sham” acupuncture may not necessary be a placebo as the sham can have physiological effects beyond just the mind. I know from a clinical perspective that acupuncture works, but showing it within the confines of the current research model is difficult. Anyone that says acupuncture is only a placebo effect I suggest they talk to someone that brought their animal (dog, cat, horse) to someone that does animal acupuncture. The results are often outstanding so if it is a placebo effect these creatures are experiencing then they are a lot smarter than we think.

An interesting study was just released that looked at acupuncture’s efficacy for preventing migraines. Read the rest of this entry

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic imbalance of a woman’s hormones. This imbalance can cause changes in the menstrual cycle (amenorrhea, irregular periods, dysmenorrhea), skin changes, small cysts in the ovaries, infertility, hair growth and other problems. In a woman’s normal menstrual cycle one (or more) eggs are released from the follicles in the ovaries. In PCOS the eggs do not mature and instead form small cysts in the ovaries. This can lead to infertility. Read the rest of this entry

Below is an abstract of a study released this week that demonstrates acupuncture’s benefits for traumatic brain injury patients.

J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2011 Mar 7.
Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Intervention Study. Read the rest of this entry

Institute: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Gerardo Hospital , Monza, Italy .

Author: Marra C, Pozzi I, Ceppi L, Sicuri M, Veneziano F, Regalia AL.

Journal: J Altern Complement Med.

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving perineal pain after mediolateral episiotomy during childbirth.

Design and subjects: Women with mediolateral episiotomy during delivery were enrolled in this study and were assigned to be treated or not with acupuncture. Outcomes measures: Perineal pain relieving effect of acupuncture was evaluated considering oral analgesics request during post-partum period and was the main outcome of this trial.

Results: A total of 42 women were enrolled in this trial. Twenty-one (21) women were treated with “wrist-ankle” acupuncture, inserting one needle in their right ankle. A second group of 21 women was not treated with acupuncture. Women in the acupuncture group were significantly less likely to experience pain; only 8 of them (38.1%) asked for analgesics. All women in the second group assumed oral analgesics because of perineal pain (p?<?0.01).

Conclusions: Wrist-ankle acupuncture during the postpartum period is effective for perineal pain relief after mediolateral episiotomy.

See: Clin J Pain. 2011 Mar-Apr;27(3):262-7.
The effect of auricular acupuncture on fentanyl requirement during hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Wetzel B, Pavlovic D, Kuse R, Gibb A, Merk H, Lehmann C, Wendt M, Usichenko TI.

Departments of *Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine †Orthopedic Surgery, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Although auricular acupuncture (AA) is suggested to be effective in treatment of pain, it has not yet been used for intraoperative analgesia. Therefore, we studied whether the AA reduces intraoperative analgesic requirement during total hip arthroplasty (THA).
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Acupuncture is a very effective therapy for chronic pain conditions. However treatments must be on a regular basis which is the downside. The upside is that it is most likely a better option than drugs which carry various ‘side effects’ and many which can harm the liver. The ‘side effects’ of acupuncture are beneficial where patients report feeling more energized and calm.
Below is a study that was just released evaluating acupuncture for chronic neck pain.
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Below is the abstract of a recent research article that stimulating a certain acupuncture point GB-34 known as “Yang Ling Quan” (translated loosely to Yang Mound Spring) helped improve gait in the elderly.  It was a randomized control trial which is what makes it a bit more interesting.  Stimulating one point on each person is not acupuncture as acupuncture is individualized based on a person’s pattern.  However it does show that needles inserted into the subcutaneous tissue can have therapeutic physiological effects that have yet to be clearly understood  (although there are many theories as to why acupuncture works so effectively for a wide variety of conditions).

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 Jan;92(1):7-14.

Stimulation of Acupoint ST-34 Acutely Improves Gait Performance in Geriatric Patients During Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

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Acupunct Med. 2010 Dec 18. [Epub ahead of print]

Perioperative acupuncture and postoperative acupressure can prevent postoperative vomiting following paediatric tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Liodden I, Howley M, Grimsgaard AS, Fønnebø VM, Borud EK, Alraek T, Norheim AJ.

1Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo, Geitmyrsveien, Oslo, Norway.

A recent small pilot study (36 participants) with dry eyes demonstrated that acupuncture can increase increase tear wetting. (click here for study)     In my practice I do not use acupuncture as a first line therapy for dry eyes.  I look to nutrition first, as often increasing essential fatty acids, especially Omega-3 can resolve dry eyes.   I usually suggest patients use flax seed oil for dry eyes.   If that does not resolve the dry eyes then often individualized herbal medicine quickly brings relief.
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A recent study published in this month’s Journal of Pain demonstrated that acupuncture has a much more favorable outcome for carpal tunnel syndrome after 1 year of treatment compared to steroids.

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