Acupuncture utilizes fine needles to stimulate the flow of Qi
This week's series has explored the science behind several alternative therapies, including herbs and homeopathy. Today's focus is acupuncture. Acupuncture is part of a system of medicine from China dating back, by some accounts, 8,000 years. The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor, which is the basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine, is one of the oldest known medical texts. During an acupuncture treatment, the practitioner inserts fine needles along energy channels, called "meridians" to stimulate the flow of Qi - the body's vital force.
Although the practice of acupuncture was used anciently in China and is still one of the main methods of treatment in China today, scientific research in this area has only begun to emerge over the past few decades. Studies and clinical trials are numerous, but many Western physicians and researchers question some of these trials, claiming there is insufficient evidence to support the use of acupuncture in complementary medicine. Additionally, some OMD's and practitioners point out that some of the studies may be flawed. However, there are still a number of noteworthy trials which provide scientific validation for acupuncture. Below is a sample of recent research:
Chronic neck pain - A review published in 2006 by Kein Trinh, found that "individuals with chronic neck pain who received acupuncture reported, on average, better pain relief immediately after treatment and in the short-term than those who received sham treatments".
Migraines - A review published in January of this year by Klaus Linde of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed, "there is consistent evidence that acupuncture provides additional benefit to treatment of acute migraine attacks only or to routine care".
Insomnia - Another study from 2007 by Daniel Cheuk and his group found that, "Based on the findings from individual trials, the review suggested that acupuncture and acupressure may help to improve sleep quality scores when compared to placebo (95%)".
Chemotherapy induced nausea/vomiting - In 2009 Jeanette Ezzo and a research group concluded that, "Electroacupuncture has demonstrated benefit for chemotherapy-induced acute vomiting", and that "Self-administered acupressure appears to have a protective effect for acute nausea and can readily be taught to patients". Although these were not compared to placebos, and further trials are needed.
Asthma - In a scientific review of the study of acupuncture for respiratory ailments, published in The Journal for Alternative and Complementary Medicine, by Dr. Kim Jobst"...Dr. Jobst re-evaluated the "Sham" treatment [and] he says 80% of the research shows acupuncture may work". He also noted that acupuncture as a treatment was safer than long-term use of medications.
Cancer associated pain - A remarkable study done in London, England in 1986, published by Drs. J. Filshie and D. Redman, reported the following; "The effect of acupuncture was assessed in 183 patients attending the Pain Clinic in a cancer hospital. Early results were promising with 82% of patients obtaining benefit for hours or days... Acupuncture was most helpful for vascular problems, muscle spasm and dyaesthetic problems. Acupuncture was significantly helpful for a number of patients with malignant pain problems".
Acupuncture and assisted conception - Another promising study from 2008 by Dr. Ying Cheong in the UK, found that acupuncture was a beneficial treatment to aid women receiving fertility treatments, stating that, "acupuncture performed on the day of [embryo transfer] shows a beneficial effect on the live birth rate".
While further studies are warranted, this sample demonstrates there are measurable, therapeutic benefits from the use of acupuncture. In recent news the United States Air Force has begun using acupuncture on soldiers and is now training military doctors to use it. Anyone who is seriously investigating alternatives to conventional medicine should consider acupuncture and TCM. An OMD may use acupuncture, herbs and other modalities as treatment options. Look for a practitioner who is an OMD or LAc.
You might also enjoy these:
- https://www.examiner.com/x-11401-Orlando-Alternative-Medicine-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Scientific-validation-of-homeopathy--the-science-of-alternative-medicine-part-III
- https://www.examiner.com/x-11401-Orlando-Alternative-Medicine-Examiner~y2009m6d16-Scientific-validation-of-herbs--the-science-of-alternative-medicine-part-II
Comments
If you pick out only the positive studies you can always produce and outcome to justify any prejudice. The fact of the matter is that time and time again the good trials show no detectable difference between 'real' acupuncture and sham. It is really quite clear now that acupuncture is little more than a theatrical placebo. A bit like voodoo medicine but humans get the pins not dolls.
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When will you get it Mr Colquhoun? The reason that these studies come out with these results is because the methodology used in them utilises areas near or close to main acupuncture points. These tap into what is known as Luo Connections, so the energy in a human body runs a bit like estuaries would feed a river on our landscape. It stands to reason then that studies come out with these results. How you then leap to this then meaning it's nothing more than a 'theatrical placebo' is to my mind, completely non-scientific. Your (and others from your camp) would spend your time better if you came up with a research model that suits a holistic approach to medicine rather than wasting your expertise and hampering progress in areas of understanding that could benefit so many people all over the world.
I used to have a family GP who was also a homeopath - he treated my migraines with acupuncture and it worked! Went from tunnel vision and nausea to zero pain in minutes. Unfortunately (for me) he retired. I highly recommend both acupuncture and self-administered acupressure - very effective.
Bravo, PT!! I fully applaud and agree with your response.
As for Mr. Colquhoun, you would better serve yourself and those around you by researching the topics you choose to submit opinions.
As PT reports, our bodies are an intricate network able to recieve and respond to stimuli no matter how faint. Therefore sham acupuncture research serves little to the "scientific" communities as the body can perceive and respond to the sham points equal to that of "real" acupuncture administered thereby altering results.
Good luck in your skepticism.
PT
It is quite hard to conduct any sort of sensible discussion when you seem to feel free to make up fantasy stuff about "Luo connections". When you say that I'd be better spending time inventing research methods "that suit the holistic approach", all that means is that you want a method that gives the result that you prefer. That isn't research. Dishonest would be a better description.
Sorry, it isn't the research methods that don't work, It's the acupunncture.
PT
You say that energy "in a human body runs a bit like estuaries would feed a river on our landscape" So...
What form of energy is this? kinetic? thermal? Chemical?
What does the energy run through? Blood vessels? Nerves?
Can this "running energy" be seen with Doppler ultrasound scanning, Angiography or any other sort of imaging technique?
If you have no objective answers to any of the above questions, how do you know for a fact that "energy runs like estuaries feed a river"?
Firstly,Lamamelk there is much of the answers you seek along with some we do not yet know; in the same way as current 'modern' science and medicine don't know about large parts of our brain.In an attempt to give the bear information i have access to, i can try to point you to the answers (or non-answers) to your queries.1. Lets say it all or any of the types of energy that can be found in the body, is our brain function not reliant upon electrical charges? 2. It is thought and understood that this energy runs though ABSOLUTELY everything in our body and in our body's function.3. Actually,there was recently a very small study/experiment using PET scans on a very young developing embryo where at a particular stage of growth, the main 'energy' meridians were forms, far before the major organs were formed.If you have the time look it up or better still, if there is someone out there who can set this up, i for one would like to know the findings.So are these responses 'objective' enough?
Mr Colqhoun i have to confess that you comments remind of a spoiled school stamping his feet shouting liar liar pants of fire! That said, let me respond to your comments.Basically, i am not lying, nor are the MILLIONS of people from a different culture and understanding of the human body and mind in the east lying either.This system of medicine is very powerful and very very well established in many parts of the world.It is used effectively in hospitals to counterbalance the side effects of drugs on the body mind and YES i am going to use the dirty word..spirit! Finally, did i not invite YOU and your skeptic colleagues to come up with a research methodology that suits? Which kinda automatically means that it is hardly likely to be 'a method that gives the results you want', is it?
PT
Science knows allot about the brain, but science continuously tests, rejects or affirms ideas, using evidence to whittle away at mysteries & uncover the most plausible information. This quest never ends.
That you or others "say" "think" or "understand" something to be a certain way, proves nothing. People used to say, think and understand the world to be flat. They were wrong. So how are you not wrong?
I googled PET scans and energy meridians in embryos and found nothing. If you want to be "scientific" you must cite the research that proves your statements. Please cite the peer reviewed journal that published this embryo study (Last & First Name of author/scientist; Title; Journal of Publication; Year)
Your answer contains no objective or empirical information whatsoever. Please look up the meaning of empirical or objective in a dictionary.
@ Julie Miller, AP,DOM, LMT
You said "...sham acupuncture research serves little to the "scientific" communities as the body can perceive and respond to the sham points equal to that of "real" acupuncture ..."
Then what is the point in getting trained and licensed as an acupuncturist if anyone can get some needles and poke away, because the body can perceive and respond to this equally as if it were "real" acupuncture?
I assume the AP after your name means licensed acupuncturist? LOL!
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