The Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques

The manual stimulation of acupuncture points has been combined with components of cognitive and exposure therapies into a clinical and self-help approach known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). More than 40 clinical trials and four meta-analytic reviews of EFT treatments have demonstrated large effect sizes with a range of conditions, including pain, PTSD (in both civilian and military veteran populations), phobias, anxiety, and depression.

Shutterstock. (n.d.). [Young woman meditating indoors]. Shutterstock. Available here.

A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Maca Root as Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (AISD) is a significant complication in the treatment of patients with mood and anxiety disorders, affecting more than half of patients who are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) [1], and has been associated with reduced quality of life, reduced self-esteem, and negative effects on mood and relationships [1]. Sexual dysfunction may affect any phase of the sexual response cycle including libido, arousal, and/or orgasm [2]. Because adequate sexual function is an integral aspect of quality of life, many patients whose depression is in remission as a result of taking antidepressant medication may elect to switch or discontinue their treatment, increasing their risk of complications from their underlying psychiatric disorder [3]. AISD is a major reason for medication discontinuation [4].

Katia Humala-Tasso Récolte de Maca à Belen (station expérimentale de la Faculté d'Agronomie de l'Université San Andrés de La Paz) près d'Achacachi (Bolivie) - 3 juin 2000. Photo: Pierre-Olivier Combelles. Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons. Available here.

UB 22- San Jiao Shu

To explain why the Triple Burner Back-Shu point is next to the Kidney's we need to explore the nature of the Triple Burner. The Triple Burner's nature has occupied Chinese doctors for centuries and there are different views of it; as usual in Chinese medicine, different view are contrasting but not necessarily mutually-exclusive ones. For centuries, Chinese doctors have been discussing whether the Triple Burner "has a form" (you xing) or not. The Chinese expression "has a form" means that the Triple Burner is an actual Fu organ; if the Triple Burner "has no form", then it is not like the other Fu but just a complex of functions "without form". Both these views are correct!

Photo by Shutterstock 281440808. Image of an acupuncturist pointing at BL17 on an acupuncture model sourced from Shutterstock. Available here.

Acupuncture Resolution of Pediatric Mouth Ulcers

Herpangina is a viral pediatric illness that causes ulcers on the roof of the mouth and throat. There may also be comorbid fever, sore throat, headache, or neck pain. 

Researchers at the Fifth People’s Hospital of Yuhang District, Hangzhou, combined acupuncture with standard drug therapy (ribavirin, an antiviral medication used to treat herpangina). Patients receiving both drug therapy and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior outcomes compared to patients using only acupuncture or only drug therapy.

Wikipedia. (n.d.). [Image of a mouth]. Wikipedia. Available here.

Acupuncture Promotes Wound Healing

Researchers Find Technique "Beneficial and Harmless"

By Svetlana Miljkovic (Photo taken in Orono, Maine, USA) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

New osteoporosis treatment uses traditional Chinese herb to prevent bone loss

Using a compound derived from red sage (Dan Shen), University of British Columbia researchers have found a way to selectively block an enzyme called Cathepsin K (CatK), which plays a major role in the breakdown of collagen in bones during osteoporosis, says the findings published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Systematic Review on Acupuncture for Treatment of Dysphagia after Stroke

Dysphagia was one of the most common sequelae after stroke. The incidence reached 81% [1]. There were many complications in dysphagia, such as cacotrophy [2], dehydration, aspiration, and pneumonia [3]. Those complications improve the morbidity, mortality, the rehabilitation, and the quality of life of the patients. So the medication and intervention time are very important for recovery. Acupuncture was an effective method and more and more welcomed and applied clinically [4]. There were many studies [5–7] about the acupuncture for treatment of dysphagia after stroke internationally, including the scalp acupuncture, nape needle, auricular needling, or combing with other methods.

Though, there were some systematic reviews focusing on the acupuncture for treatment of dysphagia in stroke. There was lack of higher quality research or the positive conclusion could not be obtained. Thus, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were formulated after integrating the previous relevant reports. And the studies using single blind method were pooled to be analysed alone.

Liuwei Dihuang Pills Enhance the Effect of Western Medicine in Treating Diabetic Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a widely recognized microvascular complication of diabetes and almost the leading cause of end-stage kidney failure worldwide responsible for morbidity and mortality [1]. If the damage to the kidney and proteinuria is irreversible, it will evolve into End-Stage Renal Disease. However, exact pathogenesis of DN is still unclear and it is difficult for us to cure DN. At present diet management, control of blood pressure and blood sugar, and blood fat treatment are the foundation treatment for DN. Furthermore, an adequate control of high blood pressure and treatment of microalbuminuria are the major therapeutic targets [2]. To achieve adequate blood pressure control, a combination therapy with different classes of antihypertensive agents is often necessary, especially including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) [3]. ACEIs and ARBs have been demonstrated to protect renal function of DN but are not enough to delay or retard the progression of DN; therefore, exploring feasible drugs is the hotspot of medical research at present.

Human's hand bones. It's named in Japanese. Reprint from Gray's Anatomy, and edited by T-310. Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons. Available here.

Acupuncture Painkiller Postoperative Narcotic Boost Found

 Patients receiving both sufentanil citrate injections and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients receiving only sufentanil citrate. The researchers conclude that the addition of acupuncture to a sufentanil treatment regimen reduces the total dosage requirements for the drug and mitigates associated adverse effects. [1] Furthermore, acupuncture increases the effective rate of sufentanil citrate for postoperative pain relief.

Image sourced from HealthCMi. Available here.

Important Combination Tonic Formulas

Formulas that combine various tonic herbs to treat major systems of the body – qi, blood, yin and yang – are commonly self-prescribed in China, especially as people pass the age of 40. The formulas address the effects of aging, including fatigue, slowing down of metabolism, aching of joints or muscles, poor tendon flexibility, poor concentration or memory, and loss of hair or skin tone. In addition to applications for aging, one also uses up reserves of qi, blood, yin and yang following childbirth, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or prolonged illness. The formulas are also used to enhance both male and female fertility, and to regulate the menses. The formulas take individual tonic herbs (qi, blood, yin and yang) and combine them, or combine small formulas.

Managing a Patient with Multiple Complaints

A situation common to American herbalist/acupuncturists is the arrival of a new patient reporting multiple complaints. Although a single chief complaint may be written on their intake form, when one gets to interviewing them, there to be a lot of complaints concurrently: digestive problems (discomfort or irregular stool), menstrual problems (irregular, cramps), pain (headache, joint or muscle pain), sleep disturbance, poor focus, emotional stress and fatigue. From the classical zang-fu perspective, where does one begin?

Vecteezy. (n.d.). [Hierbas frescas y una botella]. Vecteezy. Available here.

Look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin

The increasing prevalence of tattoos provoked safety concerns with respect to particle distribution and effects inside the human body. We used skin and lymphatic tissues from human corpses to address local biokinetics by means of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques at both the micro (μ) and nano (ν) scale. Additional advanced mass spectrometry-based methodology enabled to demonstrate simultaneous transport of organic pigments, heavy metals and titanium dioxide from skin to regional lymph nodes. Among these compounds, organic pigments displayed the broadest size range with smallest species preferentially reaching the lymph nodes.

Roshi Ensei Lifts a Heavy Bean Utagawa Kuniyoshi Public domain, courtesy Wiki Commons Images PD-1996

How the nervous system controls tumor growth

From the time it first comes online during development the nervous system begins to exact precise control over many biologic functions. In some cases, too much control. When it does, a little nerve-squelching botox can go a long way towards restoring that nubile glow to a previously pensive countenance. Similarly, an emerging neurobiology of cancer now suggests that many kinds tumors may be the fault of a hyperactive nervous system. If they are, then toning down the offending nerves could become an attractive therapy.

Vintage Human Nervous System Illustration (1887) Poster. Image sourced from Zazzle. Available here.

Herbal Monograph for Xiao Chai Hu Tang

Xiao chai hu tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is one of the most commonly used herbal formulas today. Historically, it was used to treat shaoyang syndrome. Today, it is used to successfully treat many disorders including hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cancer, jaundice, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, nephritis, acute tonsillitis, parotitis, stomatitis and many more.

Image sourced from YaoMedica. Available here.

Qing Bi Tang For Allergy Season

Qing Bi Tang is one of the most commonly used herbal formulas for treating sinusitis, rhinitis and sinus infection. It clears nasal obstruction caused by damp heat: stuffy nose, yellow and sticky nasal discharge, sneezing, headache, itchy nose and throat, decreased sense of smell and energy level, and fatigue.

Treatment of Menopausal Problems with Chinese Medicine

I often hear that menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes are due to Kidney-Yin deficiency: not so! Half of the menopausal women I see have a Pale tongue and suffer from Kidney-Yang deficiency. That is because Kidney-Jing deficiency may manifest with a Yin or Yang deficiency; indeed, many herbs that nourish Jing are in the category of tonics of Kidney-Yang (e.g. Bu Gu Zhi, Yi Zhi Ren, Suo Yang, Jiu Zi, Sha Yuan Ji Li).

By Dominicus Johannes Bergsma (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Shen and Hun: Psyche in Chinese Medicine

The longer I practise, the more I think that in clinical practice we can interpret most mental-emotional problems in terms of the "five spirits" as well as of "patterns of disharmony".  The "five spirits", in Chinese called the"Five Shen" [五 神], are the Shen, Hun, Po, Yi, and Zhi residing respectively in the Heart, Liver, Lungs, Spleen and Kidneys.

By Dominicus Johannes Bergsma (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Time Travel": Contemporary Applications for Jet Lag from Ancient Principles

The symptoms of jet lag include fatigue; disorientation; insomnia; nausea; irrational behavior and mental confusion to edema; headache; and anorexia. These symptoms may last from 1-10 days depending on the person. As a result, many vacations, political and business dealings have been dealt serious blows because of the symptoms of jet lag.

Tacuina sanitatis (XIV century) 1-aspetti di vita quotidiana, sonno, Taccuino Sanitatis, Cas. Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons. Available here.

Eye Paralysis Treatment With Acupuncture

Researchers from the First People's Hospital of Lanzhou find scalp and body style acupuncture effective for the treatment of ophthalmoplegia (eye muscle paralysis). The three arm study compared standalone supplement therapy, standalone acupuncture therapy, and a combination of acupuncture plus supplements in a comprehensive treatment protocol. The greatest positive patient outcome rate was recorded in the acupuncture plus supplements group (95.16%). The least effective therapy of the three approaches to care was the use of standalone supplement therapy (58.06%).

By Elmar Ersch (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
 

An Analysis of Chinese Herb Prescriptions for Rheumatoid Arthritis

In China, syndromes similar to rheumatoid arthritis were an area of special concern, generating considerable literature on the subject, since the condition could arise suddenly and could rapidly become severely debilitating. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, tended to be lumped together with other disorders of aging, in which stiffness and pain, especially of the legs, was considered just one part of the gradual deterioration of body functions that occurs with old age. As such, it is usually not the subject of much discussion separate from antiaging therapies. The formulas described in this article mainly fit the category of rheumatoid arthritis treatments.

By Jnewton2005 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons