News from Acupuncture in Bristol and Shaftesbury. This blog can update you on current research into acupuncture and what conditions it helps, and includes topical comments on health issues and what's happening in Dwara Young's acupuncture practice.
Chinese medicine looks at food and digestion differently from western dietary principles. Among other considerations, the Chinese say that thinking processes affect digestion. Of course, in the west, we talk about "digesting" a new idea or another point of view so, instinctively, we can connect with this idea. I often have conversations with patients about what they are eating and which foods might help them, as eating well plays such an enormous part in regaining balanced health and energy.
There is a wealth of useful information about digestion in the Chinese medical theories. Some of it can be difficult to explain, and sounds strange to western ears, so when I read this excellent article on the topic by Nancy Byrne on the AcuTake website, I thought I would recommend it - this is the article.
More information about acupuncture, and what a consultation might involve, can be found on my website FAQs.
A report of a new study shows that acupuncture is better than sham acupuncture at improving pain levels and knee flexibility for patients who have osteoarthritis of the knee. What's more, acupuncture was shown to be significantly better than sham acupuncture. And traditional acupuncture (referred to in this report as classical acupuncture) was significantly better than "modern" acupuncture. "Modern" acupuncture means the use of standardised points rather than the individualised diagnosis that traditional acupuncture involves. 48% of patients achieved a reduction in pain with sham acupuncture. 64% of patients achieved a reduction in pain with modern acupuncture. 73% of patients achieved a reduction in pain with traditional acupuncture. You can Read the report yourself.
Research from the Mayo Clinic in Florida suggests that the channels (or meridians) used in acupuncture to treat hot flushes have a neurophysiological correspondence to the central nervous system pathways which are involved in hot flushes. The summary of the research is available in this online journal. The channels referred to in this research are known in Chinese medicine as Kidney, Spleen, Lung and Heart.
The photo shows me inserting a needle at a point called Spleen 6 - one frequently used in treating these problems. Pressing the needle's guide tube on the skin, as I pop the needle in, minimises any discomfort for my patient.
Do you suffer from insomnia? Acupuncturist Maureen Cromey discusses acupuncture treatment with G.P. Sarah Jarvis on BBC Breakfast. I couldn't agree more with what Maureen says. Her experience of helping patients with this problem is obviously very similar to mine, with similarly positive outcomes for people. Also, as Sarah Jarvis says, practical things can help as well, and I always make sure that my patients are familiar with the things they can do to help themselves have a good night's sleep. Have a look at more research on my website.
Most people feel a degree of anxiety before an operation and I have frequently been asked by patients about to have surgery whether I can do anything to help. Acupuncture is considered by many to be a relaxing and calming treatment and, now, evidence from a group of anaesthetists in Turkey shows that acupuncture at the point Yintang definitely reduced pre-operative anxiety. Yintang is a gentle point in between the eyebrows and patients usually feel little discomfort when I use this point. Some say they feel an immediate sense of calm. You can read the study here. To look at more on my website click here.
An Iranian study has compared two groups of patients suffering from fibromyalgia. One group received acupuncture, the other had the drug fluoxetine. The acupuncture group showed significant improvement in levels of pain and fatigue, compared to the group receiving fluoxetine. The patients were followed up one year later and the acupuncture group had continued to benefit, particularly in reduction of fatigue and anxiety. The original research can be found here. To look at my website, click here .
Researchers from the University in Seoul, Korea, report that acupuncture may relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The authors of the study say that acupuncture appears to reactivate areas of the brain that have become too deactivated.
The research team used MRI scanning to observe the specific effects on the brain of acupuncture needling at a point typically selected by acupuncturists for patients manifesting Parkinsonian symptoms. They found that the acupuncture point Yanglingquan (GB34) encouraged better neural responses in five different brain regions - basal ganglia, putamen, thalamus, caudate and substantia nigra. All these brain regions are associated with Parkinson's disease. You can access the research here.
I also recently came across a YouTube clip published by a Parkinson's disease charity based in Florida, U.S.A., featuring a doctor discussing the possible effects of acupuncture for people with Parkinson's disease.
To return to my website and look at further evidence for Parkinson's disease, please click here.
