Acupuncture helps elite volleyball players

#Acupuncture was successfully used to improve shoulder problems experienced by international female volleyball players during a month-long period of intense competition. Range of movement, strength and pain were assessed before and after treatment by a group of researchers from the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. All scores were improved post-treatment and athletes were able to continue overhead activities.

The researchers concluded that acupuncture "may help maintain rotator cuff balance and strength, reducing further pain and injury" (source: BMJ Acupuncture in Medicine).

Barbican Acupuncture open as usual for Easter

Barbican #Acupuncture will be open for appointments as usual throughout the Easter holiday period with the exception of the following closures:

Friday 2 April 2010 - Closed
Saturday 3 April 2010 - Closed
Sunday 4 April 2010 - Closed
Monday 5 April 2010 - Closed

We will be open for appointments as usual throughout the rest of the Easter holiday period.

We hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing break and please do not hesitate to get in touch if we can be of any assistance.

With kindest regards
Gary

Gary Minns
BSc Hons TCM, Dip Tn, MBAcC, MRCHM, MATCM
Acupuncturist, Herbalist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Barbican Acupuncture
1 Wallside
Barbican
London
EC2Y 8BH

T 020 7638 4322
E Gary@BarbicanAcupuncture.com
W www.BarbicanAcupuncture.com

Acupuncture curbs back pain in pregnancy

Ear #acupuncture curbs back pain in pregnant women. 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).

Chinese medicine assists fertility and IVF

#Acupuncture and #herbalmedicine treatments have proved very effective and popular in assisting fertility. Gynaecologist and fertility consultant Michael Dooley has been referring his most difficult cases to Chinese medicine practitioners for many years. The results have been amazing, although he admits he does not understand the treatment process. "I don't understand it at all but results are amazing and I'm keeping an open mind" (source: Guardian).

Acupuncture benefits stroke patients

#Acupuncture stimulation improves balance function in stroke patients. The results of this study suggest that acupuncture stimulation may induce an immediate effect that improves balance function in stroke patients (source: American Journal of Chinese Medicine).

Chinese herb found to treat swine flu

#herbalmedicine #chinesemedicine Scientists in China have discovered that a local plant, used a century ago during the great Spanish influenza pandemic, contains substances with powerful effects in killing the H1N1 swine flu virus. The herb has a pleasant onion-like taste when cooked and is known as ewei in Chinese. However, in its raw state it is sometimes referred to as "dung of the devil" due to its pungent smell (source: Science Daily).

Study maps effects of acupuncture on brain

Important new research about the effects of #acupuncture on the brain may provide an understanding of the complex mechanisms of acupuncture and could lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment.

The study, by researchers at the University of York and the Hull York Medical School, published in Brain Research, indicates that acupuncture has a significant effect on specific neural structures. When a patient receives acupuncture treatment, a sensation called "deqi" can be obtained. Scientific analysis shows that this deactivates areas within the brain that are associated with the processing of pain. These results provide objective scientific evidence that acupuncture has specific effects within the brain (source: Brain Research, Health Canal).

Acupuncture effective for fibromyalgia

Newly published research suggests that acupuncture treatment is effective to relieve pain for fibromyalgia patients (source: BioMed Central Chinese Medicine).

Chinese herb may block breast cancer

Extracts of the Chinese herb kugua (bitter melon) appear to have breast cancer blocking powers, say researchers. Scientists found key ingredients of the green and knobbly fruit interfered with chemical pathways involved in cancer growth. They turned off signals telling the breast cancer cells to divide and switched on signals encouraging them to commit suicide (source: BBC).

US Air Force introduces battlefield acupuncture

Using ancient Chinese medical techniques, a small team of military doctors at Andrews Air Force Base, USA, has begun using acupuncture to treat wounded troops suffering from severe or chronic pain. The technique is proving so successful that the Air Force will begin teaching "battlefield acupuncture" to physicians deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The initiative marks the first high-level endorsement of acupuncture by the traditionally conservative military medical community, officials said (source: Baltimore Sun).

Sandra Bullock keeps young with acupuncture

Sandra Bullock has regular sessions of acupuncture. "Sandra gets the treatment three times a week whether she’s at home or on set" a source revealed. The actress, 45, who recently won an Oscar for her role in The Blind Side gets pricks to her forehead, face, stomach and feet. "It’s her secret weapon," explained the insider (source: Showbiz Spy).

Acupuncture for depression in pregnancy

A new study demonstrates that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy.

"Depression during pregnancy is an issue of concern because it has negative effects on both the mother and the baby as well as the rest of the family," said Dr Schnyer, one of the study’s authors. About 20 percent of women have increased symptoms of depression during pregnancy.

The results showed that the women who received acupuncture experienced a significantly greater decrease in depression severity compared to control groups. "The results of our study show that the acupuncture protocol we tested could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy," said Dr Schnyer (source: Psych Central).

Chinese herbs help prevent diabetes

Chinese herbal medicine can be effective in the prevention of diabetes according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Researchers conducted an analysis of 16 previously published studies conducted on a total of 1,391 adults who suffered from either impaired glucose tolerance or fasting glucose, both of which lead to mildly elevated blood sugar levels known as pre-diabetes and raise the risk of developing full-blown diabetes.

The researchers found that participants who took Chinese herbs were twice as likely to achieve normal blood sugar levels as those who used lifestyle changes alone, and two-thirds less likely to develop diabetes over the course of a given study (source: Cochrane Library, Natural News).

Acupuncture effective for PCOS

Researchers at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, report that "acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)". Almost 40 years of trials were analysed before the positive conclusions were reached (source: Gynecological Endocrinology, PubMed).

Acupuncture beats drug to treat hot flushes

Acupuncture works as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer, without bad side effects, researchers report.

They tested acupuncture against the Effexor, for hot flushes in breast cancer patients. Acupuncture was just as effective as Effexor, also called venlafaxine, in managing symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats, according to research led by Dr Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, USA. There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said (source: Reuters, Dose).

Acupuncture could help period pain

Acupuncture may be an effective way of easing severe period pain, a South Korean review of 27 studies suggests. Researchers said there was "promising evidence" for acupuncture in treating cramps (source: BBC, British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology).

Acupuncture helps IVF women have babies

It has already been credited with helping to reduce the pain of childbirth. Now research suggests acupuncture could also play a crucial role in helping women undergoing fertility treatment to fall pregnant in the first place.

Women who underwent the ancient Chinese treatment during IVF treatment increased their chances of having a baby from one in five to one in three, according to the major scientific study (source: Daily Mail).

Celebs go acupuncture crazy

Everywhere you turn there are stories about celebrities getting acupuncture. Supermodel Elle Macpherson recently said in an interview "I have acupuncture regularly".

Elle is not the only celebrity that seems to have become star-struck with this traditional form of healthcare. Gwyneth Paltrow, a longtime advocate of the benefits of acupuncture, once said that having acupuncture had guided her to a "new level" in life. Dr Maoshing Ni, an acupuncturist in Santa Monica, lists Jim Carrey and Helen Hunt as two of his many famous clients.

Acupuncture is becoming more and more respected by conventional medicine, so much so that there were acupuncturists on-site for the athletes at both the Summer and Winter Olympics (source: Press Zoom).

Acupuncture helps women have babies

One in three women given acupuncture alongside their IVF treatment successfully conceived, scientists from the University of Southampton discovered. The success rate among those who did not combine fertility treatment with acupuncture was one in five.

The study, which involved more than 2,000 women, discovered that the chance of the embryo implanting successfully, triggering pregnancy, increased if the patient was treated with acupuncture (source: Daily Telegraph).

Elle MacPherson and her love of acupuncture

Supermodel Elle MacPherson speaks to Sarah Brown about her love of Traditional Chinese Medicine: "I have acupuncture regularly and I see a Chinese doctor who treats most common ailments with herbs. Maintenance is a concept for me across the board" (source: News of the World).

Acupuncture may help treat insomnia

The journal Medical Acupuncture reports that insomnia is a common problem with a prevalence of nearly 40% in some populations. Acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of insomnia and has an excellent tolerability and safety profile. Increased awareness of the potential utility of acupuncture for the treatment of sleep impairment may result in improved patient care.

Green tea may block lung cancer

Drinking green tea may offer some protection against lung cancer, say experts who studied the disease at a medical university in Taiwan. The latest work, on more than 500 people, adds to growing evidence suggesting the beverage has anti-cancer powers. In the study, smokers and non-smokers who drank at least a cup a day cut their lung cancer risk significantly, a US cancer research conference heard (from BBC).

Rhubarb may help fight cancer

Good news for those looking for tasty ways to potentially improve their odds of staying healthy: baked rhubarb may help fight cancer. Researchers found that baking British garden rhubarb for 20 minutes dramatically boosted levels of anti-cancer chemicals called polyphenols. Previous research on Oriental medicinal rhubarb (known as dahuang) has shown that polyphenols selectively kill or prevent the growth of cancer cells (source: Health Day).

Acupuncture during surgery benefits patients

Surgery patients at Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, USA, are being given acupuncture during their operations to help speed recovery. Many patients suffer from nausea and vomiting after surgery but doctors have seen these problems reduce in patients given acupuncture (from www.mync.com).

Experts explore the art of Chinese medicine

A high level Sino-UK summit on Chinese medicine has taken place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. It was organised to explore the Chinese art of healing with delegates including the Chinese Health Minister and Cambridge University professors.

Chinese herbs help Parkinson patients

Trials in Hong Kong with patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease suggest a commonly used Chinese herbal formula helps improve their ability to communicate (from Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine).

Acupuncture relieves indigestion in pregnancy

Up to 80% of pregnant women suffer with indigestion or heartburn at some point during their pregnancy. Channel 4 report that studies have shown acupuncture may help relieve such symptoms.

Acupuncture helps athletes recover from fatigue

Interesting research in Taiwan has shown that acupuncture helps athletes recover from muscle fatigue. Elite basketball players were put through hard training with some of the players receiving acupuncture treatment. Those having acupuncture were recorded as having lower heart rates and lower levels of lactic acid, the substance that causes muscles to feel very stiff after exercise (from American Journal of Chinese Medicine via PubMed).

Gwyneth extols virtues of Chinese medicine

Gwyneth Paltrow has been praising the health benefits of Chinese medicine. The Daily Express may have been surprised by "cupping" but it is a commonly used procedure that can be hugely effective in relieving muscular pain, particularly on the back and shoulders.

"Cupping" involves attaching small glass cups to the skin by means of vacuum pressure. The cups are normally left in place for a few minutes and cause no pain, although they can leave slightly red, circular patches on the skin which will fade after a day or two.

Chinese herbs may prevent diabetes

Researchers at the prestigious Cochrane Library have found some Chinese herbal medicines to be effective in preventing diabetes. They found using Chinese herbal medicines along with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and regular exercise, twice as effective as lifestyle changes alone in normalising high blood sugar levels. "Our results suggest that some Chinese herbal medicines can help to prevent diabetes" stated a researcher (from Natural News).

Acupuncture beats aspirin for chronic headache

Acupuncture works better than drugs like aspirin to reduce the severity and frequency of chronic headaches, US researchers have reported. A review of studies involving nearly 4,000 patients with migraine, tension headache and other forms of chronic headache showed that 62 percent of the acupuncture patients reported headache relief compared to 45 percent of people taking medications, the team at Duke University found.

"Acupuncture is becoming a favourable option for a variety of purposes, ranging from enhancing fertility to decreasing post-operative pain, because people experience significantly fewer side effects and it can be less expensive than other options. This analysis reinforces that acupuncture also is a successful source of relief from chronic headaches." said the lead researcher (from Reuters via www.dose.ca).