Acupuncture cuts oxytocin use at Iraq childbirths

Doctors in Iraq have successfully used #acupuncture during childbirth to cut down on oxytocin use. Oxytocin is a drug which is often given to mothers just after a Caesarean delivery to help the womb contract and to cut the risk of bleeding. However, this drug was in short supply in Iraq. Oxytocin is a hormone that also occurs naturally in the body during labour.

The study covered emergency Caesarean sections at the Red Crescent Hospital for Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Baghdad between 2004 and 2006, when oxytocin stocks were low. "Oxytocin proved largely unnecessary in my series of patients, apparently through the action of acupuncture" Lazgeen Zcherky, an anaesthetist who led the study, said in a statement. "We were thus able to conserve stocks of those drugs we held in short supply without ill effects on our patients" (source: Reuters).

Acupuncture may help asthma

The World Health Organization (WHO) deems #acupuncture to be a viable treatment for asthma and a study by the University of Vienna Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care has found that 70 percent or more of patients treated for asthma with acupuncture see improvement (source: EmpowHER).

Acupuncture aids spinal recovery

Research in South Korea shows #acupuncture reduces inflammation and nerve cell death in subjects with damaged spines, thereby facilitating better recovery (source: Neurobiology of Disease, New Scientist).

Acupuncture relieves the pain of childbirth

Danish trials involving 607 women suggest #acupuncture reduces the need for pain relieving drugs during childbirth. The study concluded that "acupuncture is a good supplement to existing pain relief methods" (source: Birth).

Acupuncture reduces food cravings

Psychological #acupuncture has been shown to be successful in reducing food cravings in people who are overweight or obese. Lead researcher and psychologist Dr Peta Stapleton said the study showed the impact on food cravings was almost immediate and long lasting. Food cravings significantly reduced after just four sessions and were maintained at a six-month follow-up (source: Medical News).

Acupressure for chronic headache

Clinical trials in Taiwan suggest massage at #acupuncture points (known as acupressure or tuina) is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of chronic headache (source: American Journal of Chinese Medicine).

Moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis

Research from Shanghai suggests the #Chinesemedicine technique of moxibustion helps prevent further development of knee osteoarthritis, improves joint function and quality of life (source: China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, PubMed).

Acupuncture for chronic lower back pain

Clinical trials have shown #acupuncture combined with drug treatment is better than drug treatment alone for relieving chronic lower back pain (source: BioMed Central Chinese Medicine).

Scientists use light to prick acupuncture mystery

Chinese scientists are trying to solve the mystery of #acupuncture points of using the country's most expensive ever science project, a light-emitting synchrotron. The Shanghai-based synchrotron, which uses super-powerful X-rays to resolve the structure of matter down to the level of atoms, has detected evidence that acupuncture points differ from other parts of the body (source: People's Daily Online).

Acupuncture and moxibustion for Crohn’s Disease

Research in Germany has concluded that #acupuncture offers an "additional therapeutic benefit" in patients with mild to moderately active Crohn's Disease (source: Digestion).

Acupuncture shown to relieve migraine

Clinical trials have shown #acupuncture to be effective at relieving migraine headaches. Researchers in China gave acupuncture treatment to a group 175 patients suffering migraine. It was reported that over 40% of patients experienced complete pain relief with almost 80% of patients not suffering any recurrence of their migraine (source: Headache).

Chinese Herbal Medicine helps male fertility

A trial suggests Chinese #herbalmedicine formula qianlie beixi may improve sperm motility. Researchers at the prestigious Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, have published promising results from a trial involving men with sperm motility issues (source: National Journal of Andrology).

Acupuncture curbs back pain in pregnancy

A special #acupuncture technique can help ease lower back and pelvic pain in pregnant women, new research shows. In a study, women who had pressure needles at three acupuncture points in their ears were more likely to experience significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain than those women in control groups. Ear acupuncture might offer a drug-free way to help ease pain in these women (source: Reuters).

Could cupping ease chronic knee pain?

The ancient #Chinesemedicine therapy of cupping is being tested as a new treatment for knee arthritis. The traditional remedy, popular with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, is being put through the rigours of a clinical trial. Some research suggests that cupping, which involves placing heated cups upside down on the skin, can result in significant reduction in lower back pain compared with painkillers. Other studies showed positive effects in trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that affects nerves in the face. Now, in a new trial, researchers at Charite University, Berlin, are hoping to gain similar success with patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (source: Daily Mail).

Acupuncture for post-Caesarean pain

Research has shown post-Caesarean patients receiving #acupuncture may need less pain relief medication. The onset of post-Caesarean acupuncture patients requesting pain killers seems to be delayed and the doses required appear to decrease (source: Chinese Medical Journal).

Acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation

Randomised clinical trials demonstrate #acupuncture may be effective in the treatment of poststroke rehabilitation. This is the view of the influential American Heart Association. It is a view seemingly supported by the NHS (source: Stroke, American Heart Association, NHS Evidence).

Acupuncture may enhance sports performance

Newly published research suggests #acupuncture treatment may enhance sports performance. Researchers found the use of acupuncture in resistance and endurance sports activities tended to increase muscular strength and power. Acupuncture also seemed to improve the haemodynamic parameters of endurance athletes (source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, PubMed).

Peter Hain in support of CAM

Complementary therapies, such as #acupuncture and #herbalmedicine, should be made available on the NHS, according to Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. The Neath MP, a fan of alternative medicine, will write to Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones in a bid to persuade him to consider introducing a pilot scheme in Wales. Mr Hain’s comments come as English Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced a pilot project will assess the feasibility and benefits of complementary and alternative therapies to treat low back pain in the NHS.

Mr Hain said: "I am a big supporter of integrated health and very much welcome the announcement by the Department of Health that a pilot on the use of complementary and alternative treatments will take place in England. This follows the complementary health pilot I oversaw in Northern Ireland, while Secretary of State, which focused on a range of alternative treatments for stress, depression, anxiety and musculoskeletal problems. The results of the Northern Ireland pilot demonstrated considerable benefits to both patients, who reported improved health, and to the NHS, with reduced patient visits and prescriptions as well as benefits to the wider economy with people taking less time off work. This suggests the potential for massive cost savings in the NHS drugs bills and overheads, releasing more funds to improve patient care" (source: Wales Online).

Study suggests acupuncture relieves insomnia

Clinical trials of #acupuncture to treat insomnia are showing promising results. The research is being conducted at the influential UPMC facility in Pittsburgh, USA. Patient Anna Squilla told how acupuncture treatment has done nothing but help.

"For me, being very apprehensive coming in, not expecting it to work at all to be quite honest, it worked within two weeks," said Squilla.

Several patients have reported improvements, however, two years still remain in the study (source: WTAE).

Facial acupuncture can combat wrinkles

"Facial #acupuncture, in my view, is the only credible alternative to botox when it comes to treating wrinkles and tissue tone" says Sarah Vine in The Times. The journalist says she has experienced the benefits of facial acupuncture before and finds it to be "highly personalised and highly effective" (source: Times).

Newspaper suggests acupuncture for hay fever

Having #acupuncture before the symptoms of hay fever start can help prevent the onset of itchy eyes and the stuffy, blocked nose that will be all too familiar to sufferers, so says the Western Mail. The popular term hay fever dates back to 1828 when a British physician noticed his allergy symptoms worsened during the hay making season. Allergic rhinitis, to give the condition its proper name, is caused by the immune system’s super-sensitivity to allergy triggers called allergens. Common airborne allergens include pollen from trees, grasses, weeds and moulds. Typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, itchy throat and headaches.

Acupuncture has been used in China and other eastern cultures to restore vitality and alleviate the symptoms of allergic reactions for more than 2,500 years. Acupuncture is great for the symptoms of hay fever and all kinds of allergic conditions due to the significant effect it has on modulating the immune system. In the case of hay fever, it is often aggravated by a pathogen, which causes problems in the respiratory system, and acupuncture uses needles to restore the normal functioning of this system. Because of the way acupuncture can calm a hyper-sensitive immune system, the time to go for treatment is shortly before the start of the hay fever season thus alleviating the problem (source: Western Mail, Wales Online).

Acupuncture and the London Marathon

Paula Radcliffe is an #acupuncture fan and athletes in other sports, including the tennis player Maria Sharapova, also use it. Serious runners will leave no stone unturned in their quest for speed. The latest trend is acupuncture to ease weary limbs, niggling injuries and post-race fatigue (source: Times).

Acupuncture for international footballer's injury

Andy Webster is having #acupuncture in an attempt to make the starting line-up for the Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Raith Rovers. The Dundee United and Scotland defender, who has been in magnificent form since arriving on-loan from Rangers at the start of the season, feared he was about to suffer a calf tear so asked to be substituted during the win over St Johnstone on Monday night. Webster’s calf has caused him problems for most of the season but a scan on Tuesday showed no lasting damage and instead pointed to a nerve problem in his back. The 27-year-old was given acupuncture in an effort to ensure he will be fit for the weekend (source: Herald).

Yet more benefits from green tea

A review by researchers suggests long-term consumption of green tea could be beneficial in fighting diet-induced obesity and type II diabetes. Drinking the beverage may also reduce the risk of coronary disease. The newly published research highlights the benefits of consuming "catechins" which are contained in green tea (source: BioMed Central Chinese Medicine).

Acupuncture may restore lost sense of smell

#Acupuncture may be an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from persistent post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD), or a loss of the sense of smell, according to new research. Olfactory dysfunction can arise from a variety of causes and can profoundly influence a person's quality of life. In tests, over 50% of patients treated with acupuncture experienced a marked improvement in their condition. There is currently no validated pharmacotherapy for PVOD (source: American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery).

Green tea may reduce tooth loss

Drinking one cup a day of green tea may improve dental health and reduce the risk of losing teeth by about 20 per cent, according to a new study from Japan. Drinking more cups appears to confer additional risk reductions, with five or more cups a day associated with a 23 per cent reduction in risk, according to the findings (source: Nutra Ingredients, Preventive Medicine).

Drink green tea to help eye health

Drinking green tea may improve the health of your eyes. Laboratory tests showed antioxidants found in the drink can be absorbed deep inside the eye, helping to protect it against disease. Antioxidants are natural chemicals that neutralise free radicals, the potentially damaging molecules linked to disease. Green tea is rich in these and is said to have a wide range of health benefits, including fighting cancer.

Although previous studies have suggested green tea may reduce the risk of conditions such as glaucoma, new research confirms the eyes can actually absorb antioxidants from the blood. In the study, scientists measured levels in eye tissue. They found the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images are formed, soaked up the most while the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, absorbed the least (source: Daily Mail).

Acupuncture eases dental patient anxiety

A report from the BMJ shows #acupuncture eases the anxiety of nervous dental patients. Dr Palle Rosted, who led the research, said the findings were extremely promising. A brief acupuncture treatment, involving just two points, was administered to the patients prior to them seeing their dentist. Results showed a significant decrease in anxiety.

"These were patients who would have previously run screaming out of the door or would have to have been held down by a dental assistant to have their teeth checked." added Dr Rosted. On previous dental visits, three of the patients had to be knocked out with a general anaesthetic to cope with their fears, while six others had needed strong sedatives.

The story was picked up by numerous news sources and has also been reported by, amongst others, the NHS, BBC, Channel 4, Telegraph and Independent (source: BMJ Acupuncture in Medicine).

IVF success boosted by acupuncture

Having #acupuncture while undergoing IVF increases the chances of falling pregnant by 65 percent, according to research. Experts found evidence of success for women who had acupuncture near the time of embryo transfer. A total of 1,366 women undergoing IVF were included in the trials and the results found a 65 percent increased chance of falling pregnant with acupuncture compared to control groups (source: Daily Mail).

Acupuncture promotes ovulation in PCOS

Scientists have found #acupuncture promotes ovulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The team of researchers found a short course of acupuncture treatment lessened the presence of testosterone and estradiol, promoted ovulation, enhanced endometrial receptivity and blastocyte implantation (source: Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, PubMed).