Acupuncture Increases Nocturnal Melatonin Secretion and Reduces Insomnia and Anxiety: A Preliminary Report

D. Warren Spence, M.A., Leonid Kayumov, Ph.D., DABSM, Adam Chen, Ph.D., Alan Lowe, M.D., Umesh Jain, M.D., Martin A. Katzman, M.D., Jianhua Shen, M.D., Boris Perelman, Ph.D. and Colin M. Shapiro, MBBCh, Ph.D., FRCP(C)

^Conclusion:

The objective findings for this research were consistent with clinical reports of acupuncture’s relaxant effects. Acupuncture treatment may be of value for anxious patients with insomnia.

Acupressure and quality of sleep in patients with end-stage renal disease—a randomized controlled trial

Received 19 November 2001; received in revised form 3 December 2001; accepted 12 April 2002.

Results of this study demonstrated significant differences between the acupressure group and the control group in subjective sleep quality (p=0.009), sleep duration (p=0.004), habitual sleep efficiency (p=0.001), and sleep sufficiency (p=0.004). Significant differences in the subscale of subjective sleep quality (p=0.003) between the sham acupressure group and the control group were also observed.

Conclusion

Sleep log data showed that the acupressure group significantly decreased awake time and improved quality of sleep over time more than the control group (p<0.01). The improvement could be seen as soon as the acupoints massage was implemented, and it was maintained through the post intervention.

Posted: April 10th, 2008 under Acupuncture.
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Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy: a long-term study

Received 3 July 1997; received in revised form 12 November 1997; accepted 25 November 1997. 

In this study forty-six diabetic patients with chronic painful peripheral neuropathy were treated with acupuncture analgesia to determine its efficacy and long-term effectiveness.

Conclusion of this study:

These data suggest that acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy for the long-term management of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain:

Clinical Journal of Pain. 17(4):296-305, December 2001.
Carlsson, Christer P. O. M.D., Ph.D.; Sjolund, Bengt H. M.D., Ph.D.

A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study With Long-Term Follow-Up was conducted.
The objective of this study was to determine whether a series of needle acupuncture treatments produced long-term relief of chronic low back pain.

Conclusions:

 It was found long-term pain-relieving effect of needle acupuncture compared with true placebo in patients with chronic nociceptive low back pain.

Posted: April 10th, 2008 under Acupuncture.
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Effect of acupuncture in patients with angina pectoris

A. RICHTER, J. HERLITZ and Å. HJALMARSON

Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research, Sahlgren’s Hospital, University of Gothenburg Sweden

Received 9 June 1989; revised 23 February 1990; .

Address for correspondence: Dr Arina Richter, Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research, Sahlgren’s Hospital, S-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Conclusion

Confirmed improved feeling of well-being after acupuncture treatment, they, also showed acupuncture treatment also had an additional beneficial effect in patients with severe, intensively treated angina pectoris.

The effect of acupuncture on the incidence of postextubation laryngospasm in children.

Anaesthesia. 53(9):917-920, September 1998.
Lee, C. K. 1; Chien, T. J. 1; Hsu, J. C. 2; Yang, C. Y. 3; Hsiao, J. M. 1; Huang, Y. R. 4; Chang, C. L. 5

 This study uses acupuncture with bloodletting at the Shao Shang (L 11) or Shang Yang (Li 1) acupoints to investigate whether this technique can prevent or treat laryngospasm. Seventy-six patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the acupuncture group (n = 38) were treated with bilateral Shao Shang acupunctures at the end of the operation. Patients in the control group (n = 38) were not. The incidence of laryngospasm in the acupuncture group (5.3%) was less than that in the control group (23.7%) (p < 0.05). If laryngospasm developed, patients were immediately treated with acupuncture at either the Shao Shang or Shang Yang acupoints. As judged by an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation, the laryngospasm was relieved within 1 min of acupuncture in all patients.

Conclusion of the study

It is concluded that acupuncture with bloodletting at the Shao Shang acupoint may prevent and treat laryngospasm occurring after tracheal extubation in children.

Posted: April 10th, 2008 under Research.
Comments: 1

A patient 60 years old, who has not been sleeping for 6 months, every night he can only sleep for 1-1.5 hours, because of that, he is very fatigued, irritability, depression, lack of motivation. He received auricular medicine treatment Dr. Li Chuan Huang and acupuncture treatment from Dr. Xia Cheng, within 1 week, he was able to sleep over 5-6 hours, he was very happy about it.

Posted: April 9th, 2008 under Case Report.
Comments: 1

The practice of acupuncture is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has a history of at least 2,500 years of successfully diagnosing, treating and preventing illness. Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile, disposable (one time use) needles into specific points to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. If appropriate, acupuncture will be combined with Chinese horology and other methods of TCM, such as moxibustion (heat therapy), acupressure and cupping.

How does acupuncture work? We all have 14 main channels, called meridians, which flow throughout our body distributing chi (energy) or life force. Health problems arise when there is an obstruction in the flow of this life force. Acupuncture works by removing these obstructions and correcting imbalances of yin and yang, thereby restoring health and normal function. Modern research concludes that stimulating acupuncture points decreases inflammation, increases endorphins and stimulates the circulation, the endocrine and the immune systems.

Does it hurt? Experiences with acupuncture vary from person to person. Many feel nothing at all: some may notice a small sensation as the needle is inserted. Once the needle is introduced to the point one may feel some tingling, distension or heavy feeling. These are all considered good sensations, reflecting the effectiveness of the treatment.

Are there any side effects? Acupuncture is very safe with minimal side effects, when practiced by a competent Acupuncturist. Many often report positive effects of relaxation, improved sleep and a general sense of well-being.

What does acupuncture treat? The World Health Organization has identified a number of conditions benefited by acupuncture. The following is a partial list: > colds, and flu, sore throat, hay fever > asthma, bronchitis, sinus infection > stomach ulcers, colitis and indigestion > diarrhea, constipation > hypoglycemia, diabetes > earaches, tinnitus > eczema, acne > arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, bursitis, tendonitis > sprains > neck and back pain > headaches, migraines > Bell’s Palsy, trigeminal neuralgia > stroke > infertility > morning sickness > anxiety, depression > stress, insomnia

Acupuncture has also been shown to be helpful for: > addictions cessation; withdrawal from caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sugar, recreational drugs > post-surgical recovery > side effects of chemotherapy and radiation > chronic fatigue > the signs of aging > dysfunction of the immune system > acute and chronic pain etc.

Posted: April 9th, 2008 under Acupuncture.
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