Acupuncture For Infertility

Researchers at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproduction at the Women’s Hospital, University of Heidelberg, report that “auricular acupuncture seems to offer a valuable alternative therapy for female infertility due to hormone disorders” after research showed that an acupuncture group of 45 patients achieved a higher rate of pregnancy than a similar group treated with hormones, suffered no side effects and reported additional health benefits.

Another German study (Die Beeinflussbarkeit der Samenqualitat durch Akupunktur bei subfertilen Mannern by Fischl. F. et. al) reports improvement in sperm motility, concentration and count after ten acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture and Stroke Recovery

A study on 78 patients with hemiplegia at the Lund University Hospital in Sweden showed that the 38 patients who received twice-weekly acupuncture treatment for 10 weeks recovered faster, with better balance and mobility, than the 40 patients who received daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Acupuncture For Migraines

The Pain Clinic and Medical Department of Skodsborg Sanatorium in Denmark conducted a randomized double-blind study which compared acupuncture needling with the drug metoprolol in controlling migraines.

Both groups showed a significant reduction in frequency or duration of attacks, with no significant difference between the two groups. The metoprolol group showed a greater reduction in severity of attacks while the acupuncture group reported fewer side-effects.

It should be noted, however, that 1. the acupuncture group all received the same treatment (i.e. there was no selection of points according to differentiation of pattern), and 2. that the metoprolol group received ’sham’ acupuncture, which has been shown in other studies (see ‘Acupuncture in Pulmonary Disease, NEWS, May 1995) to have a significant subjective and objective effect.

Acupuncture for Pulmonary Disease

In the debut issue of the US published Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Dr. Kim Jobst of Oxford University has evaluated 16 papers on the use of acupuncture in pulmonary disease.

Acupuncture had been found to be effective in 4 of 8 double-blind studies, 3 of 5 single-blind studies, and 3 of 3 unblinded studies, with an overall effective rate of 62.5%. However, Dr. Jobst re-evaluated those studies where the effectiveness of specifically selected acupuncture points were judged against selection of ’sham’ acupuncture points.

‘Sham’ points can be of two kinds – sham true points and sham nonpoints. He found that a) sham nonpoints, i.e. sites that did not correlate to any existing acupuncture point, nevertheless had significant subjective and objective effects on pulmonary diseases, and that b) the sham true points selected for control in other studies were in fact points that, according to TCM, did have effect in some respiratory diseases. By assessing the effectiveness of any kind of needling in the 16 studies (whether true points, sham true points or sham nonpoints were used), the overall effective rate rose to 81%. In 10 of the 11 (91%) studies which evaluated it, it was found that medication could be significantly reduced by acupuncture.

Dr. Jobst concludes that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.

What are Chinese Herbs?

Chinese Herbal Medicine has always been an important aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicine can greatly enhance the effects of Acupuncture, especially in the treatment of chronic disease where daily therapy is crucial to achieving significant and lasting relief.

Chinese herbal formulas typically consist of at least two to several herbs carefully chosen to enhance and balance one another while targeting both the symptoms and the underlying cause of your condition.

Although acupuncture was the first Chinese modality to gain wide acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies in the West.

What is Tui Na?

Tui Na is a Chinese medical massage that manipulates and stimulates areas of the body including acupuncture/acupressure points for healing. It is used for many health conditions including pain.

Your treatment will combine Tui Na and Shiatsu which does not require oils or undressing. Loose comfortable clothes should be worn such as sweat pants and t-shirts.

What is cupping?

Cupping is a Chinese medical treatment in which glass, bamboo, or plastic cups are placed on various parts of the body. The cups are suctioned onto the skin to help alleviate many health conditions such as pain, relieve a flu or cold, strengthen particular parts of the body, eliminate toxins and for many other disorders.

Since cupping brings out impurities and toxins from the body to the surface in order to be released, the area of skin will be reddened which usually goes away within a few hours to a few days.

What is Moxibustion?

Moxa is a dried natural Chinese herb also known as mugwort or artemesia. This herb is heated and placed on specific areas of the body. The warmth generated is used to improve blood circulation and thus eliminate pain, as well as protect against colds and flu by boosting immunity, and strengthening the body. Some clinics use new breakthrough technology, without smoke, odor or ash, to produce remarkable results through this advanced herbal heat therapy.

How many treatments are necessary?

Since each person is unique, and depending on the duration and severity of your condition, the number of treatments needed will vary. Some people respond very quickly to acupuncture others at a moderate rate. For long lasting chronic or complex conditions, 2-3 treatments per week for several months may be necessary. While sometimes 6-10 treatments resolve the condition. For acute conditions, fewer daily treatments are generally required. For health maintenance, 4 periodic treatments a year are recommended.

Do Acupuncture Needles hurt?

The needles may pinch slightly at first insertion but generally there is no pain. Most patients report feelings that range from an electric tingle to gentle throbbing. Other normal sensations may include topical warmness, momentary numbness and slight distention. These are all indications of the procedure tapping into the body’s energy flow and that the healing process has begun. Most people actually find the overall experience soothing, relaxing them both during the treatments and for a period afterwards..

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