In the first such finding from a controlled study, Yale researchers have successfully used acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction, a disorder for which there are few effective treatments.
Published in the August 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, study results showed that participants who received auricular acupuncture -- needles inserted into specific parts of the outer ear -- were more likely to have cocaine-negative urine screens over the course of the study compared to those in control groups.
"Our study supports the use of acupuncture for cocaine addiction and shows that alternative therapies can be combined with the arsenal of Western treatments for fighting addiction," said Arthur Margolin, the study's principal investigator and research scientist in psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. "This promising finding suggests that further research on acupuncture in this application is warranted."
Results showed that 54.8 percent of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 23.5 and 9.1 percent in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.
"Additional benefits of acupuncture include its low cost, and that it seems to have few, if any, adverse side effects," Margolin said.
For further details on this article read http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2000-08/YU-Aipt-1208100.php
Chris Di Tecco is an acupuncturist and herbalist at Southdown Chiropractic and Wellness in
Acupuncture, as a complementary therapy to drug treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, is more effective than drug treatment alone, find researchers from
Osteoarthritis of the knee is common, affecting almost a tenth of the population aged over 55. The role of acupuncture in osteoarthritis remains controversial and few studies comparing acupuncture and drug treatment have been conducted.
The acupuncture group had a greater reduction in pain and stiffness, improved physical functioning and quality of life than the placebo group.
For more information on this subject please visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-11/bmj-abt111704.php
Six months of acupuncture treatment appears to be more effective than conventional therapy in treating low back pain, according to a study in the Sept. 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
“Low back pain is a common, impairing and disabling condition, often long-term, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 70 percent to 85 percent,” the authors write as background information in the article. “It is the second most common pain for which physician treatment is sought and a major reason for absenteeism and disability.” Acupuncture is increasingly used as an alternative therapy, but its value as a treatment for low back pain is still controversial.
“The superiority of acupuncture suggests a common underlying mechanism that may act on pain generation, transmission of pain signals or processing of pain signals by the central nervous system and that is stronger than the action mechanism of conventional therapy,” the authors conclude. “Acupuncture gives physicians a promising and effective treatment option for chronic low back pain, with few adverse effects or contraindications. The improvements in all primary and secondary outcome measures were significant and lasted long after completion of treatment.”
For more information on this subject please visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-09/jaaj-atm092007.php
Chris Di Tecco is an acupuncturist and herbalist at Southdown Chiropractic and Wellness in
The treatment protocol will be partially determined on the nature of the headache pain (dull, heavy, throbbing, stabbing), the location of the pain (behind the eyes, temples, base of the skull, on one side of the head only, the top of the head), what triggers the headache or aggravates the headache pain (certain foods, weather conditions, emotions, menstruation).
Both acupuncture and herbal therapy, on their own, or in combination, give excellent results for headaches. Treatment will vary depending on what type of headache a person suffers from. Some patients benefit from only a few acupuncture sessions while others require a longer course of herbal therapy combined with acupuncture. Chronic cases (experiencing symptoms for more than several months) generally take longer, sometimes 3-6 months of treatment is required for successful results. Acupuncture is an incredibly effective and safe option for people with chronic headaches of all kinds. I often will recommend that patients with chronic headaches commit to treatment once a week for 4-6 weeks, then assess for progress.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used along with other medications to both enhance the effects and mitigate the side effects. There is no need to discontinue Western medication while receiving Chinese medicine. However, many people have, in time, decreased or totally eliminated their reliance on these medications as their condition continues to improve.
It was reported by the BBC that recent research in
Things you can do to help eliminate headaches:
Dietary Strategies: Avoid foods that cause inflammation in the body, such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol. Avoid synthetic sweeteners such as aspartame. Try to drink 4-6 glasses of filtered water daily
Triggers: Do your best to observe possible triggers for your headaches: foods, weather patterns, particular smells, specific activities. Avoiding triggers to your headaches can help minimize their occurrence. Identifying what triggers your headaches can also be helpful for your healthcare practitioner(s) because they may be able to direct treatment towards eliminating the particular sensitivity.
Relaxation: Consciously taking time every day to de-stress will induce the relaxation response. Relaxation is not a luxury but a NECESSITY! Relaxation is required for the body to recharge and allow proper circulation of the Qi and blood.
Exercise: It is recommend exercising 20-30 minutes a day, 3-5 days per week.
