New Research – IVF Fertility Success with Electro-Acupuncture

New Research – IVF Fertility Success with Electro-Acupuncture
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Resource: HealthCMI

A randomized placebo-controlled study of 309 women concludes that electro-acupuncture “significantly improved the clinical outcome of ET (embryo transfer).”1 IVF (in vitro fertilization) live birth rates jumped from 21.2 percent for women who did not use acupuncture to a 42 percent success rate for women who received acupuncture twice. The women received acupuncture 24 hours before the IVF procedure and 30 minutes after IVF. In another control group, women who only received acupuncture once, 30 minutes after IVF, had an increased success rate of 37.3 percent.

IVF is a treatment for infertility. This involves controlling a woman’s ovulatory process with medications, removing the ova (eggs) from the body, fertilizing the ova with sperm outside of the human body and then implanting the fertilized ova (zygote) into the uterus. Acupuncture for the treatment of infertility has received a great deal of press because singers Mariah Carey and Celine Dion used acupuncture with success. Mariah Carey used acupuncture to balance her body after a miscarriage in 2008. Carey said she did not use IVF but used acupuncture for stress relief and hormone therapy to boost her fertility. Celine Dion used acupuncture to achieve success with her 6th attempt at IVF. Both singers gave birth to healthy twins.


References:
Fertility and Sterility. Volume 96, Issue 4, October 2011, Pages 912-916. Increase of success rate for women undergoing embryo transfer by transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study. Rong Zhang Ph.D., Xiao-Jun Feng B.S., Qun Guan B.S., Wei Cui M.S., Ying Zheng M.S., Wei Sun B.S., Ji-Sheng Han M.D.
Research Centers:
Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Reproductive medical center, The second hospital affiliated to Shandong University of traditional Chinese medicine, Jinan, People's Republic of China.

Acupressure Beads for Arthritis

Aug 8, 2011 | By Christy Callahan

Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture; however, acupressure uses pressure from fingers or other instruments to stimulate energy points without breaking the skin. Acupressure beads are often used on the ear, which has a microsystem of points that practitioners say correspond to every part of your body. Some scientific evidence justifies the use of auricular or ear acupuncture-acupressure in managing medical conditions. However, results are not guaranteed. Talk to your doctor before trying auricular acupuncture or acupressure.

Auricular Acupuncture

Not an original component of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, auricular acupuncture was introduced in the 1950s by a French physician and was soon adopted into traditional training by the Chinese. Often used as an adjunct treatment, auricular acupuncture is performed with needles, beads or seeds as well as gentle, electrical stimulation. Beads and seeds are non-invasive, and are made from a variety of substances. They can be magnetic, made from steel, gold, silver or an actual plant seed. Often coming with a self-adhesive, a practitioner applies beads directly to the ear. In a few days, they will naturally fall off or can be removed.

Auricular Acupuncture Research

Ear acupuncture and acupressure are popular for pain management and other medical conditions. Smoking cessation programs that utilize auricular acupuncture alone or combined with other support methods see positive results. Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, New York, uses ear beads in drug and alcohol addiction programs, and in 1997 successfully added it to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder programs. Auricular acupuncture can also help with rheumatoid arthritis and other painful conditions. An August 2008 study published in "Forschende Komplementmedizin" found auricular electroacupuncture to provide both short and long-term pain relief.

Pain and Arthritis

The points your practitioner selects depend on the area of your pain and other conditions you may have. Pain, according to TCM, is constricted energy, or chi. Chi flows through your body along channels called meridians that correspond to body organs. Stagnating or "stuck" energy results in pain and illness. Arthritis is called "Bi syndrome" in TCM, and is believed to be influenced by climatological factors of wind, cold, heat or dampness. Ear points your practitioner chooses will depend on your symptoms and where the pain is located.

Ear Points for Arthritis

A variety of ear points can be chosen. However, Shenmen, a point located in the triangle formed by the Y-shaped structure in your ear, is the most widely recognized point and is used in most auricular treatments. Skye Abbate's textbook, "Chinese Auricular Acupuncture," also suggests a few more points for pain. The sympathetic point may stimulate dilation of the blood vessels, potentially reducing swelling and pain. The diaphragm, brain and adrenal points may also aid in reducing pain symptoms. In addition, your joints also have specific points; thus, if arthritis affects your knees or ankle, the practitioner can stimulate the corresponding point for greater benefit.

References

• Dr. L.B. Grotte, M.D.: Ear Acupuncture
• "American Journal of Public Health"; Auricular Acupuncture, Education, and Smoking Cessation; I.D. Bier, et al; October 2002
• Lincoln Hospital; Use of acupressure beads in the treatment of ADHD; M.O. Smith
• "Forschende Komplementmedizin"; Adjuvant Auricular Electroacupuncture and Autogenic Training in Rheumatoid Arthritis; M. Bernateck, et al.; August 2008
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Page; Healing Arthritis with Chinese Medicine; W. Liu, T.C.M.D., M.P.H., L.Ac.
• "Chinese Auricular Acupuncture"; S. Abbate; 2004

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Aug 8, 2011

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/511004-acupressure-beads-for-arthritis/#ixzz1ciObLvGf

Certain Painkillers May Raise Odds of Stroke, Heart Attack: Study - US News and World Report

THURSDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- Heart disease patients with high blood pressure who take a class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke or even death, new research shows.

NSAIDS include popular medications such as such as aspirin, Celebrex, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). The results are published in the July issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

"Among coronary artery disease patients with hypertension, chronic self-reported use of NSAIDs was associated with harmful outcomes, and this practice should be avoided where possible," Dr. Anthony A. Bavry, assistant professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville, said in a journal news release.

In conducting the study, Bavry and colleagues followed 882 long-term NSAID users and almost 22,000 people who used NSAIDs intermittently over an average of about three years.

Patients with high blood pressure and coronary artery disease who took NSAIDs regularly had a 47 percent increase in the rate of death as well as nonfatal heart attack and stroke. After a period of five years, those rates jumped to 126 percent for death and 66 percent for heart attack, the investigators found.

Because there's a lack of data to help researchers understand why people with heart disease and high blood pressure who take NSAIDs are at greater risk for adverse events, the study authors suggested that these patients should consider alternative methods of pain relief until more research is done.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Howard S. Weintraub, clinical director of the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, noted that the new study had several strengths.

"It is taken from a large group of patients with coronary artery disease in a generally older population," he said. "But the findings seem to cast more concern about the safety of NSAID's in higher risk patients. It is notable that the risk increased with higher blood pressure."

Still, he added, "one of the concerns about incriminating NSAID's is that the use of certain [cholesterol-lowering] drugs such as statins was lower in the chronic-use group. Hence, their [heart] risk could be expected to be higher. We are also not able to distinguish risk within the class."

"Once again it sounds like it is the length of use or perhaps more accurately the cumulative exposure to this class [that is driving the risk]. This would suggest that more occasional use could be okay," according to Weintraub.

Adding his perspective, Dr. Victor Khabie, co-chief of the Orthopedics and Spine Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, said that, "as an orthopedic sports medicine specialist I see a lot of baby boomers who use NSAIDs to ease their joint pain with sports. Perhaps acetaminophen or topical agents . . . should be considered in these individuals. Sports medicine specialists should be aware of the potential risk NSAIDs cause in this patient population and counsel their patients appropriately."

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on pain relievers.

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Certain Painkillers May Raise Odds of Stroke, Heart Attack: Study - US News and World Report

維骨力(固樂沙敏)、軟骨素不見得有效，甚至增加糖尿病風險，何必花冤枉錢？

Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Arthritis:
Benefit is Unlikely

Stephen Barrett, M.D.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most widespread type of arthritis, is a degenerative disease of the joints. Although sometimes capable of causing acute inflammation, it is most commonly a "wear-and-tear" disease involving degeneration of joint cartilage and formation of bony spurs within various joints. Trauma to the joints, repetitive occupational usage, and obesity are risk factors. Most people over 60 years of age have this affliction to some extent, with approximately 16 million sufferers requiring medical care. The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain.
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been widely promoted as a treatment for OA. Glucosamine, an amino sugar, is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. Chondroitin, a carbohydrate, is a cartilage component that is thought to promote water retention and elasticity and to inhibit the enzymes that break down cartilage. Both compounds are manufactured by the body. Glucosamine supplements are derived from shellfish shells; chondroitin supplements are generally made from cow cartilage.

Research Findings

Laboratory studies suggest that glucosamine may stimulate production of cartilage-building proteins. Other research suggests that chondroitin may inhibit production of cartilage-destroying enzymes and fight inflammation too. Some human studies have found that either one may relieve arthritis pain and stiffness with fewer side effects than conventional arthritis drugs. Other studies have shown no benefit. As the research accumulated, expert review bodies have been cautious because, although positive reports outnumbered negative ones, the negative ones have been larger and better designed [1]. In addition, whether glucosamine offers any advantages over established drugs such as acetaminophen, traditional NSAIDS, or selective Cox-2 inhibitors has not been determined [2].
The largest and best-designed clinical trial is the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health. So far, the GAIT has produced two sets of negative results. In 2006, the researchers reported on a 24-week study that involved 1583 patients who were randomly assigned to receive 500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride three times daily, 400 mg of sodium chondroitin sulfate three times daily, 500 mg of glucosamine plus 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate three times daily, 200 mg of celecoxib (Celebrex) daily, or a placebo. The study found that glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, did not reduce osteoarthritis knee pain more effectively than a placebo. The drug group did about 17% better than the placebo group [3].
The above-mentioned report was accompanied by an editorial which concluded:

[Based on this study], it seems prudent to prudent to tell our patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee that neither glucosamine hydrochloride nor chondroitin sulfate alone has been shown to be more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of knee pain. If patients choose to take dietary supplements to control their symptoms, they should be advised to take glucosamine sulfate rather than glucosamine hydrochloride and, for those with severe pain, that taking chondroitin sulfate with glucosamine sulfate may have an additive effect. Three months of treatment is a sufficient period for the evaluation of efficacy; if there is no clinically significant decrease in symptoms by this time, the supplements should be discontinued. Furthermore, there is no evidence that these agents prevent osteoarthritis in healthy persons or in persons with knee pain but normal radiographs [4].

In 2007, another well-designed study that involved 71 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who were followed for one year. The study found no significant differences in function and pain between the treatment and placebo groups [5]. Later that year, a meta-analysis concluded: "Large-scale, methodologically sound trials indicate that the symptomatic benefit of chondroitin is minimal or nonexistent. Use of chondroitin in routine clinical practice should therefore be discouraged." [6]
To study whether the glucosamine and/or chondroitin could diminish the structural damage of osteoarthritis, interested GAIT patients were offered the opportunity to continue their original study treatment for 18 more months, for a total of two years [7]. About 570 patients enrolled. In 2008, the researchers reported that none of the treatment groups showed a significant structural benefit (slowing of the narrowing of the joint space). The researchers expressed hope that additional research might find that an as-yet-undefined subgroup of patients can benefit, but I don't share their optimism.
Two studies reported in 2010 found that patients with chronic pain experienced no benefit from taking 1500 mg/day of glucosamine. One study involved 250 adults with chronic low-back pain and degenerative osteoarthtiris who were followed for one year. Half of the patients took glucosamine and half received a placebo. The glucosamine group did no better than the placebo group [8]. The other study involved 662 GAIT participants with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis who received either glucosamine (500 mg three times daily), chondroitin sulfate (400 mg three times daily), glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate combined (same doses), celecoxib (Celebrex, 200 mg once daily), or a placebo. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups [9].

Products

In the United States, glucosamine and chondroitin products are marketed as "dietary supplements." Glucosamine is available in many forms, including glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl), and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), and may also contain a potassium chloride or sodium chloride salt. However, there appears to be no conclusive evidence that one form is better than another. Chondroitin is typically sold as chondroitin sulfate.
In December 1999 and January 2000, ConsumerLab.com tested 25 brands of glucosamine, chondroitin and combination products and found that (a) all 10 glucosamine-only products, passed the test but 2 chondroitin-only and 6 out of 13 combination products did not (because their chondroitin levels were too low). In January 2001, one of the combination products was removed because its manganese level was judged to be too high [10]. ConsumerLab's latest report states that 8 out of 8 tested glucosamine products contained the label amount but 2 of 2 chondroitin products did not [11].
In 2001, Consumer Reports evaluated 19 products and reported:

Most . . . were reasonably well standardized, delivering at least 90 percent of the amount of glucosamine or chondroitin promised on the label, thereby meeting a new standard for the supplements proposed by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, which sets standards for drugs and proposes them for supplements. But four products —Now Double Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin, ArthxDS Glucosamine Chondroitin, Solgar Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex, and Now Chondroitin Sulfate—failed to meet that standard. Two products—Solgar Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex and Twinlab CSA (Chondroitin Sulfate)—recommended too few pills per day to supply the dose used in the successful clinical trials. Several others listed the recommended number of pills as a range that permits consumers to take a dose that may be inadequate [12].

Safety Considerations

No study so far has found any serious side effects from either glucosamine or chondroitin. The most common side effects are increased intestinal gas and softened stools. However, animal research has raised the possibility that glucosamine may worsen insulin resistance, a major cause of diabetes. So far, studies in humans have not substantiated that risk. Nevertheless, people with diabetes should monitor their blood-sugar level particularly carefully when using that supplement. There have been no reports of allergic reactions to glucosamine. But because it is made from shellfish shells, people who are allergic to seafood should use it cautiously, watching for reactions, or avoid it entirely. As for chondroitin, it can cause bleeding in people who have a bleeding disorder or take a blood-thinning drug.
In 2001, Vital Nutrients recalled two products (Vital Nutrients Joint Ease and Verified Quality Joint Comfort) that had been found to contain aristolochic acid, a substance that can cause kidney toxicity and cancer [13].
In 2008, a Scottish newspaper reported that people had died of liver failure within weeks of taking glucosamine [14]. Although cause-and-effect cannot be proven, local physicians issued a warning.

The Bottom Line

Chondroitin appears to be useless. Whether glucosamine is useful is conflicting, but the best-designed studies are negative. This usually means that negative evidence will eventually prevail. Decisions to use glucosamine must be based on information that is less complete than is desirable. In addition, product quality control may be a significant problem. Here's my advice:

• The first step in seeking care for arthritic symptoms should be to obtain a competent diagnosis.
• The next step should be to explore the pros and cons of treatment options with a competent physician.
• If you decide to try glucosamine anyway, have a knowledgeable physician guide how you do it. Consumer Reports, ConsumerLab.com, or your physician can help in choosing the product.
• Regard chondroitin as worthless.
• Ignore any practitioner or seller who promises a "miracle cure" for arthritis.
• Never buy a dietary supplement in response to a solicitation by mail or though s radio or television ad.
• Shop carefully for price. The Puritan's Pride mail-order division, which has frequent "2-for-1" and "3-for-one" sales, sells products that cost only $4 to $5 per month. (Be sure, of course, to ignore claims the company makes for its products. No seller of dietary supplements, herbs, or homeopathic remedies should be trusted for advice on whether they are useful.)

References

1. Bausell RB. Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Alternative and Complementary Medicine. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007, pp 251.
2. Update on glucosamine for osteoarthritis. Medical Letter 43:111-112, 2001.
3. Clegg DO and others. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. New England Journal of Medicine 354:795-808, 2006.
4. Hochberg MC. Nutritional supplements for knee osteoarthritis—Still no resolution. New England Journal of medicine 354:848-850, 2006.
5. Sawitzke AD and others. The effect of glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: A report from the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism 58:3183-3191, 2008.
6. Reichenbach S, and others. Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Annals of Internal Medicine 146:580-590, 2007.
7. Messier SP and others. Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 15:1256-1266, 2007.
8. Wilkens P and others. Effect of glucosamine on pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back bain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis. JAMA 304:45-52, 2010.
9. Sawitzke AD and others. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2010. Jun 4.
10. Product review: GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN. ConsumerLab Web site, accessed Jan 22, 2002.
11. Product review: Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM). ConsumerLab Web site, updated Sep 22, 2007.
12. Joint remedies. Consumer Reports, Jan 2002.
13. Vital Nutrients recalls Joint Ease & Verified Quality Brand Joint Comfort Complex because of adverse health risk associated with aristolochic acid. News release, May 24, 2001.
14. MacDermid A. Death sparks safety concern over popular pain remedy. The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), March 4, 2008.

This article was revised on July 22, 2010. 

source : Quackwatch, Health Fraud

Acupuncture proven to fight breast cancer treatment side effects

New research reveals that acupuncture is more effective for treating hot flashes than venlafaxine (Effexor) for patients receiving conventional antiestrogen hormone treatment for the treatment of breast cancer. The Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan published its finding in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study cites research proving the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes during menopause and therefore investigates the effects of acupuncture during breast cancer treatment. Results showed that acupuncture had successfully eliminated all cases of hot flashes and benefitted patients suffering from mental depression. The study also documents that there were no side effects due to the acupuncture treatments but that venlafaxine caused adverse effects including nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and anxiety.  The study further documents that acupuncture increased sex drive, mental clarity, and the overall energy levels in the patients.

Out of a study group of 50 patients, 25 were randomly given 12 weeks of acupuncture and the other 25 were given 12 weeks of venlafaxine. After two weeks, the venlafaxine group continued to experience hot flashes but, like the acupuncture group, had less mental depression. The study concluded that acupuncture “appears to be equivalent to drug therapy” and is “a safe, effective, and durable treatment.”

source: HealthCMI

Polycystic ovary syndrome breakthrough - Acupuncture and excercise normalize hormones

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by: Sherry Baker, Health Sciences Editor

(NaturalNews) (NaturalNews) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects up to 10 percent of women during their child-bearing years -- and it's a disorder than causes a host of heartbreaking problems. PCOS is the result of eggs that don't mature and are not released from the ovaries. Instead, small ovarian cysts form, wrecking the balance of a woman's sex hormones.

The results? Irregular, missed and/or extremely heavy periods as well as difficulty becoming pregnant. PCOS also causes an increase in androgens, or male hormones, leading to decreased breast size, a deepened voice, increase in hair on the face and body with thinning of hair on the head, and severe acne. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease are also widespread among women with PCOS.

Mainstream medicine has little help for the disorder; treatment focuses on managing PCOS symptoms with birth control pills, laser hair removal on the face and body, acne medication and even total hysterectomies followed by hormone replacement. But now researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have found alternative, non-drug therapies that improve the hormone levels and menstrual bleeding pattern in women with PCOS -- acupuncture and physical exercise.

In the new study, just published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, a group of women with PCOS were given acupuncture where the needles were stimulated both manually and with a weak electric current. A second group of study participants was told to exercise at least three times a week, while a third group acted as controls. All the women were given information on the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

"The study shows that both acupuncture and exercise reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular menstruation," researcher Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who headed the study, said in a statement to the media. "Of the two treatments, the acupuncture proved more effective."

Although PCOS impacts one woman in ten, the cause isn't known. "However, we've recently demonstrated that women with PCOS have a highly active sympathetic nervous system, the part that isn't controlled by our will, and that both acupuncture and regular exercise reduced levels of activity in this system compared with the control group, which could be an explanation for the results," Stener-Victorin added.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031444_acupuncture_hormones.html#ixzz1MrPAMri1

Acupuncture For Xerophthalmia

Richard C. Niemtzow, MD
Kevin J. Kempf, MD
Peter A. S. Johnstone, MD

ABSTRACT
Background Acupuncture is a useful modality in the treatment of xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients. It is also useful in xerophthalmia secondary to Sjogren’s syndrome and other pathological circumstances.
 

Objectives To describe patients receiving acupuncture for xerophthalmia, and to establish a technique that is reproducible for practitioners.
 

Design Acupuncture techniques and case reports.
 

Main Outcome Measure Increase in tear film, subjectively recognized by the patient and clinically confirmed.
 

Results The tear film increased in all patients. Follow-up indicated that the positive response to acupuncture was maintained.
 

Conclusion Xerophthalmia may be significantly relieved by acupuncture. The mechanism is unknown but may be parasympathetically mediated.

KEY WORDS
Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Xerophthalmia, Xerostomia

INTRODUCTION
In previous articles, an acupuncture technique was described1,2 and updated3 for the treatment of pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. This article discusses how the same acupuncture technique with minor modifications may also be useful in xerophthalmia (dry eyes).

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or xerophthalmia is a common disorder, with increasing prevalence starting in the 5th decade of life and rising with age. There are many conditions that predispose one to dry eyes. Some of the more common entities include Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder of exocrine glands seen primarily in women; medications, which include many antihypertensives, antidepressants, and anticholinergic agents; and aging.6 In addition, other conditions that can manifest as dry eyes include infiltrative processes such as sarcoidosis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, complications of refractive surgery, and secondary sicca complex from other connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus.4 Hypofunction of the lacrimal glands, secondary to lymphocytic infiltration, is a hallmark of Sjogren's syndrome. This condition is manifested by marked discomfort and dryness of the eyes, described as a scratchy and burning sensation with marked decrease in tear film. Sjogren's syndrome also involves hyposalivation of the mouth, resulting in difficulty talking or swallowing dry foods. Sjogren's syndrome patients often develop profound caries at an early age and gastroesophageal reflux due to the loss of buffering by the saliva.4 Treatment of these conditions is primarily symptomatic with artificial tears, lubricant solutions, and muscarinic agonists such as pilocarpine, which often cause significant side effects or are tedious to use many times a day.5 These complaints, which greatly affect a patient's quality of life, appear to respond to the acupuncture treatment developed for radiation-induced xerostomia.1 We also observed that this acupuncture technique is useful in overcoming the complaints of both dry eyes and dry mouth from various prescription drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and other conditions.

METHOD
A sterile needle (Seiren Laser L Type, gauge 3, length 30 mm, distributed by OMS Medical Supplies, Inc., Braintree, MA), is inserted bilaterally in both index fingers in an area on the Large Intestine (LI) meridian slightly proximal to LI 1. This area is designated LI 29. In addition, auriculotherapy points Point Zero, Shen Men, and an area designated Salivary Gland 29 are needled bilaterally (Figure 1).

After 20 minutes, if there is no increase in the tear film, it is recommended that the needles in position LI 29 be removed bilaterally and replaced by 2 new sterile needles placed about 3-4 mm proximal to the original inserted needles. If the tear film fails to increase after this modification, the 2 needles located at the Salivary Gland 29 area are replaced by 2 new sterile needles about 3-4 mm proximal to the original insertions. (The authors have rarely needed to alter this sequential modification more than 2 times. This is different from the xerostomia technique where there is usually no need to change the position of the needles to acquire a saliva secretion.)

FIGURE 1

Patients
Acupuncture treatment requires signed informed consent in our center. Four patients diagnosed as having dry eyes secondary to other causes are presented.
 

Case Report 1
A 46-year-old man with a diagnosis of chronic myelocytic leukemia underwent a bone marrow transplantation and developed graft- vs-host effect with bilateral acute dry eyes that did not respond well to lubricants. The patient was treated for dry eyes for 11/2 years. His eyes remained adequately moist for up to 2-3 weeks before he needed to repeat acupuncture.
 

Case Report 2
A 72-year-old woman with bilateral dry eyes with Sjogren's syndrome reported that acupuncture increased the tear flow to both eyes. Prior to treatment, she needed to apply eye drops every 10 minutes; with acupuncture, only 1-2 times daily. Follow-up visits every 3 weeks appeared adequate.
 

Case Report 3
A 42-year-old woman, status post surgery for a neuroma with resulting mild paralysis of the right side of her face, was referred for nocturnal dryness of her right eye. Acupuncture increased the moisture in the right eye to a satisfactory level of comfort.
 

Case Report 4
A 35-year-old woman had laser surgery to her eyes and developed dry eyes bilaterally 2 months later. Lubricants and plugs did not result in satisfactory ocular comfort. The patient received acupuncture and lubricant applications were reduced. Her tear film became normal in both eyes. She was lost to follow-up after 6 treatments.

RESULTS
There were no adverse effects related to acupuncture. An increase in the tear film was subjectively present in all patients after acupuncture. Follow-up evaluations at 1-month intervals found that patients maintained a satisfactory tear flow, but monthly retreatments appear necessary to maintain this capacity over time.

DISCUSSION
The tissue damage resulting from radiation injury to the salivary glands is different from that produced by the infiltration of immune cells into the salivary or lacrimal glands as found in Sjogren's syndrome, or of the damage done by graft-vs-host reaction accompanying bone marrow transplant for the treatment of many leukemias. Currently, there is much discussion in the literature on how to best classify and diagnose patients with Sjogren's syndrome and the significant overlap of other patients with dry eye complaints. Many diagnostic criteria exist, but common to all is a measure of a patient's ocular symptoms and signs.

Conventional treatment options such as ocular and oral lubricants, and muscarinic agonists like pilocarpine or cevimeline, are used to manage severe xerostomia. Cyclosporine, azathioprine, and low-dose corticosteroids can occasionally improve dry eye symptoms, and interferon a is being studied to increase salivary flow. However, these medications are tedious at best, and can be fraught with significant side effects such as severe hypotension, headaches, excess sweating, nausea, bone marrow suppression, osteoporosis, and the risks associated with immune suppression. Granted, we do not understand the acupuncture mechanism of action that appears to increase the tear film's aqueous component, but we propose the same mechanism previously published for xerostomia relief by the use of these points - parasympathetic activation.2,3 We find this report significant and of value to our colleagues even though it deals with a small number of patients. Future research must involve a more substantial population.

CONCLUSION
Acupuncture using the above protocol may contribute to increasing the tear film in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and other etiologies where the aqueous component of the tear film is significantly reduced. This technique did not produce any adverse effects. Longer observations in a significant number of patients to optimize the technique and further prospective objective measurements of both the tear film and its components should be the subjects of further research. A prospective trial addressing this has been approved by our institutional review board and is currently accruing patients.

REFERENCES

1. Niemtzow RC, May BC, Peng YP, Inouye WS, Johnstone PAS. Acupuncture technique for pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. Medical Acupuncture. 2000;12:42-43.
   
2. Johnstone PAS, Peng YP, May BC, Inouye WS, Niemtzow RC. Acupuncture for pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001;50:353-357.
   
3. Johnstone PAS, Riffenburgh RH, Niemtzow RC. Acupuncture for xerostomia: Clinical Update. Cancer. 2002;94:1151-1156.
   
4. Bekker M. Dry eyes: an emerging epidemic. Ophthalmol Manage. 1999;10:4.
   
5. Tierney L, Jr, McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, eds. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. Eye. 2002;202.
   
6. Paul RE. Lange Medical Books. 41st ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2002.

AUTHORS' INFORMATION
Colonel Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, is a Radiation Oncologist on active duty in the United States Air Force. He is currently assigned to the United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, as their first physician-acupuncturist. Dr Niemtzow practices Medical Acupuncture full-time with oncology and general patients, and is also involved in research.
Colonel Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH*
1835 E. Main St
El Cajon, CA 92021-5255
Phone: 619-447-6806 o Fax: 619-447-6881 o E-mail: n5ev@aol.com

Commander Peter A.S. Johnstone, MD, is Director for Ancillary Services at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego, California.
CDR Peter A.S. Johnstone, MD, MA
Naval Medical Center San Diego
Radiation Oncology Division
34800 Bob Wilson Dr, Suite 14
San Diego, CA 92134-1014
Phone: 619-532-7274 o Fax: 619-532-8178
E-mail: pajohnstone@nmcsd.med.navy.mil

Lieutenant Commander Kevin J. Kempf, MD, is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, and is Chief of Rheumatology at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California.
LCDR Kevin J. Kempf, MD
Naval Medical Center San Diego
Divison of Rheumatology
34730 Bob Wilson Dr, Suite 203
San Diego, CA 92134-3202
Phone: 619-532-7301, 7350 o Fax: 619-532-5472
E-mail: kempfks@aol.com

source : 
Medical Acupuncture - A Journal For Physicians By Physicians

Volume 13 / Number 3
"Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"

Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on the Immune Function Impairment Found in Anxious Women

Abstract:

It is presently accepted that emotional disturbances lead to immune system impairment, and that therefore their treatment could restore the immune response. Thus, the aim of the present work was to study the effect of an acupuncture treatment, designed specifically to relieve the emotional symptoms stemming from anxiety, on several functions (adherence, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, basal and stimulated superoxide anion levels, lymphocyte proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin A (PHA) and natural killer (NK) activity) of leukocytes (neutrophils and lymphocytes) from anxious women. The acupuncture protocol consisted of manual needle stimulation of 19 acupoints, with each session lasting 30 min. It was performed on 34 female 30–60 year old patients, suffering from anxiety, as determined by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Before and 72 hours after receiving the first acupuncture session, peripheral blood samples were drawn. In 12 patients, samples were also collected immediately after the first single acupuncture session and one month after the end of the whole acupuncture treatment, which consisted of 10 sessions during a year, until the complete remission of anxiety. Twenty healthy non-anxious women in the same age range were used as controls. The results showed that the most favorable effects of acupuncture on the immune functions appear 72 hours after the single session and persist one month after the end of the complete treatment. Impaired immune functions in anxious women (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, lymphoproliferation and NK activity) were significantly improved by acupuncture, and augmented immune parameters (superoxide anion levels and lymphoproliferation of the patient subgroup whose values had been too high) were significantly diminished. Acupuncture brought the above mentioned parameters to values closer to those of healthy controls, exerting a modulatory effect on the immune system.

Keywords: Anxiety; Acupuncture; Immune Functions; Women

Source: The American Journal of Chinese Medicine (AJCM) Volume: 35, Issue: 1(2007) pp. 35-51

手機肘，未必要開刀

作者: Polly

科技始終來自於人性　也可以一不小心就帶來不幸

繼網球肘(Tennis Elbow)、高爾夫球肘(Golfer’s Elbow)、任天堂姆指(Nintendo Thumb) 之後，現代醫學又創造了一個新的症狀名詞，那就是“手機肘”(Cell phone Elbow)。

“手機肘(Cell Phone Elbow)“這個名詞尚未被收錄在任何醫學字典或醫學名詞當中，但患者的症狀，主要是感覺到手痛、手麻，特別是無名指與小指，部分患者甚至明確的指出其麻感可以沿者手臂後側，向上至肘或者是肩胛或肩頸等。這樣的症狀，在醫學上的專有名詞稱做”肘隧道綜合症“(Cubital Tunnel Syndrome)，是一種尺神經在手肘部受到壓迫或是外傷，而引起的單一神經病變(Mononeuropathy)，分別稱為尺神經壓迫症(Ulnar nerve Compression)或是尺神經炎(Ulnar Nerve Neuritis)。此暱稱的出現，頻繁使用手機是最近出現肘隧道綜合症患者主要的原因之一。

真的需要手術治療嗎?

許多的醫學相關評論，不是呼籲患者儘早在手肘上打針，要不然就是開刀。其實不全然如此。當人體被手術刀刃劃破的同時，我們的經絡就被損傷了。中醫有一句至理名言：「痛則不通，通則不痛」。也就是體內的氣血運行，受到其他原因例如疾病、外傷、藥物副作用等等的中斷或阻滯，而導致運行不暢，輕者癢或酸，重者出現麻或疼的現象。

尺神經壓迫症在臨床上，筆者常見許多是因為頭頸部或手部姿勢不良或過長時間維持同一姿勢、或者單純情緒不佳、亦或是婦女經期將至，以及外傷等原因，使得氣血受到阻滯，這些全部都可以出現肘隧道綜合症的症狀。在發現症狀的初期，若僅僅是因為使用手機或電腦太久而引起的神經壓迫，在適度的休息或者甩動手臂，加強血液的循環，都可以緩解症狀。或者試著先按摩尺神經，並隨時提醒自己不定時改變姿勢。較嚴重的患者可進一步出現力量變小、手指彎曲的現象。消炎止痛並不是解決根本問題辦法，反而徒增肝腎的負擔。中醫針灸其實是最快速有效又無負擔的治療方法。

中醫針灸早在二千多年前成書的「黃帝內經－靈樞篇」中就有提到：《靈樞·經脈第十》謂三焦手少陽之脈，“是動則病耳聾渾渾焞焞，嗌腫，喉痹。是主氣所生病者，汗出，目銳眥痛，頰痛，耳后、肩、臑、肘、臂外皆痛，小指次指不用。”(小指次指，就是我們所說的小指與無名指。)

為什麼病人有時候不僅手麻　還會指著耳下頸部區說痠緊？

首先我們要認識手少陽三焦經的循行：起於無名指尺側端（關沖穴），向上出於手背第四、五掌骨之間，沿著腕背，出於前臂伸側尺、橈骨之間，向上通過肘尖，上臂外側三角肌後緣，上達肩部，交出於足少陽膽經的後面，向前進入缺盆，分布於胸中，聯絡心包，向下通過橫膈，從胸至腹，屬於上、中、下三焦。胸中支脈：從胸上出缺盆，上直項部，沿耳後直上，出於耳上到額角，在屈而下行至面頰，到達目眶下。

難道，二千多年前有手機嗎？我們不得不佩服與感謝老祖宗的智慧以及恩典，將寶貴的知識與經驗記載下來。

在所有遇到的臨床案例中，七成五的患者在第一次治療後，當場可以感覺原有手臂的酸麻感已減輕七成以上，甚至表示僅剩手掌部位仍有麻感。但其中一例表示，指頭麻痺與無力的感覺起初在末二指，漸漸有擴展到中指食指的趨勢，尤其是睡眠過後更加明顯。而在經過中醫正骨治療之後，麻痺的感覺當場消失。該病例則屬於外傷所引起，使得前臂輕微脫臼，而造成尺神經甚至是正中神經的壓迫症狀的出現。

縱使中醫針灸有神功妙用，也千萬別輕視手臂麻痹與肌肉無力，若拖延過久，肌肉無力感超過四個月，很快肌肉便開始萎縮，進一步連神經也萎縮，此時就算靠手術也難以恢復正常。

References:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=39989

請尊重智慧財權，未經許可請勿任意轉貼．歡迎連結、轉載請註明出處。

誤診錯割乳房 長庚醫判賠百萬

醫療糾紛，新北市一名林姓婦人，十年前發現左邊乳房有硬塊，就到林口長庚醫院去看病，沒想到醫師葉俊男沒有詳細檢查就判定是乳癌，還開刀切除左乳，事後才發現只是良性腺瘤

­，害婦人白挨一刀，高等法院判決，醫師和長庚醫院必須賠償一百萬元。

憤怒的聲音隔著鐵門傳出來，這名林姓婦人一想到10年前的烏龍診斷，讓她失去了左邊乳房，心情到現在還是無法平復。說到不想說，乾脆直接關上大門，因為台北林口長庚醫院，­誤診的葉姓醫師當初沒有詳細檢查就判定她得了乳癌，迅速切除他的乳房，沒想到切片檢查卻發現，原來只是良性泌乳管腺瘤，操刀的就是畫面上的葉姓醫師，事發之後沒有向婦人致­歉，還意有所指的說，婦人想趁機要錢。

就在去年林姓婦人的事件爆發，小女兒也說媽媽身體真的好痛，無法挽回的傷害，讓林姓婦人始終走不出傷痛，夫妻生活也受到影響，現在高等法院判決，葉姓醫師和林口長庚醫院必­須賠償婦人重建義乳的費用以及精神損害，大約一百萬元。只是再多的金錢真的挽回不了婦人失去乳房，也失去尊嚴的痛。

來源：中華電視公司

西醫加針灸 中風男下床走路

【聯合晚報╱記者林進修/台北報導】

台北市立聯合醫院仁愛院區和台灣科技大學聯手研究發現，針灸可改善血液的微循環，有助於緩解中風病患的臨床症狀，甚至可讓原本昏迷在床患者再度清醒、下床走路，帶給中風病患及家屬一些希望。
這項領先全球、首先採用體表血流量測技術的研究，取代傳統穿顱侵入方式，評估中風病患兩側血流阻力狀態差異，論文3月刊登在微循環生理領域最頂尖的國際醫學期刊「微循環研究」 (Microvascular Research）。
參與研究的仁愛院區中醫科主任陳朝宗表示，中風是國人重大死因之一，就算救活了，患者的後續照護也耗費相當大的人力及物力，中醫界近年來積極研發針灸治療模式，就是要找出另一條治療之路。
仁愛院區和台科大醫學工程研究所助理教授許昕合作，以18名中風病患為對象，發現病患接受施加於患側為主的針灸治療後，患側血流供應與血流阻力狀態都得到 顯著改善。陳朝宗認為，血流狀態改善，可能有助於中風患側生理功能復原，也對中風針灸療效，提供有力的客觀證據與生理探討基礎。
他舉一名18歲年輕男性病患為例，這名患者因為車禍，造成創傷性蜘蛛網膜下腔及腦室出血昏迷，神經外科醫師緊急施以腦室引流管與顱內壓監視器置入手術，術後治療1個多月，狀況雖有改善，但仍意識不清，不但不認得家人，且左側偏癱無力無法活動。
在中西醫團隊合作下，陳朝宗另外施以頭皮針及體針的針灸治療，以手足陽明經穴為主，輔以太陽經及少陽經等穴。經中西結合治療後，這名年輕病患的病程縮短，病情明顯改善，不但意識清楚還可下床走路，只是左側肢體仍顯無力。
陳朝宗認為，這名年輕患者接受西醫腦傷治療後，病情可能已有進展，只是欠缺臨門一腳，針灸剛好有助於改善他的血液微循環，才讓他迅速康復。
台北市立萬芳醫院中醫科主任黃中瑀表示，中風病患通常氣血兩虛，針灸可補益氣血，溝通心腎，加強刺激腦細胞活動，增進肌肉協調能力，確有助於改善病情。他就針灸過一名車禍昏迷的30幾歲男病患，一個多月後可比出「OK」及「讚」的手勢，看得家屬興奮不已。

 來源: 聯合新聞網

長期使用含類固醇眼藥水 42歲竟有白內障

2009-6-14 文／張朝凱 「我本身有400多度近視，剛開始覺得視力模糊時，還以為是度數加深，等到醫師告訴我是因為大量使用類固醇，導致白內障，那一刻真的是非常難以接受！」42歲從事保險工作的張小姐患有過敏性結膜炎多年，常自行到藥局購買含類固醇的藥水治療，最近因為眼睛出現視力模糊、色調改變、畏光等問題，而到診所求診。 一般來說，白內障的成因除了最普遍的老年性白內障之外，還有許多可能導致白內障的因素，如先天性、外傷、代謝不正常、併發症，以及藥物引起等原因，藥物性白內障就是因為長期服用或點類固醇藥水所致。 類固醇學名為「副腎上腺皮質激素」，具有消炎及免疫抑制的作用。人體每天都會分泌一定量的類固醇來維持體內正常的生理運作，而因其具有很強的消炎及免疫抑制的作用，也因此在臨床上更被廣泛應用，包括癌症、腦水腫、氣喘症、腦膜炎等疑難雜症，故有「仙丹」之名。 然而，水能載舟，亦能覆舟。過量使用類固醇也會造成諸多副作用，如水腫、肥胖、糖尿病、生長延緩等，其中最讓人恐懼的就是白內障。 白內障是因為水晶體開始硬化、混濁，以至於產生視力模糊、色調改變、畏光等症狀，晚期情況加重，則可能併發青光眼或虹彩炎，甚至導致失明。 目前尚無任何眼藥水、藥品能夠確切預防或治療白內障，也因此只要感覺視力衰退，並影響到日常生活，建議應早期接受治療，以免病情更趨惡化。 此外，若因為疾病關係需要長期使用類固醇藥物，應遵從醫師指示，定期到眼科追蹤檢查，切忌自行購買來路不明的眼藥水，以免加重病症。 （作者為台北市諾貝爾眼科診所院長） 來源: http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2009/new/jun/14/today-health4.htm

Acupuncture Helps Children with Autism - New Research

Source: HealthCMI

New research demonstrates that a session of 12 acupuncture visits using electro-acupuncture improves functions in children with autism. Electro-acupuncture caused improvements in language comprehension and self-care ability for the children in this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, clinical trial of acupuncture for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Electro-acupuncture also caused significant improvements in social initiation, receptive language, motor skills, coordination, and attention span. Improvements in motor coordination include better writing ability. Participants were better able to write words within set lines and squares. One participant had significant improvements in swimming ability and improvements in paper cutting were also noted. Interesting motor improvements include better walking posture, speed of walking, and ability to ascend and descend stairs.

Over 70% of the children with ASD were compliant and adapted easily to the acupuncture therapy while 8% were not compliant. This was the first study ever conducted using electro-acupuncture for ASD using a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Subjects from ages 3-18 participated in the study and children who had been taking anti-epileptic drugs or who had recently had acupuncture were excluded from the study.

Classic acupuncture points for the treatment of autism were chosen for the study. Sishencong (EX-HN1), YinTang (EX-NH3), Ear naodian (AT3), and Ear shenmen (TF4) were chosen as the primary acupuncture points. Neiguan (P6), Shenmen (H7), TaiChong (Lv3), and Sanyinjiao (Sp6) were selected as complementary acupuncture points. Children were in either in a supine or sitting position for the 30 minute acupuncture treatment. Sterile disposable .3 X 4cm (30 gauge) acupuncture needles were used and points were connected with a portable electro-acupuncture device. The investigational sham acupuncture points were chosen at a 3-5mm distance from the real acupuncture points. The treatment principle was to “to make the heart ‘unobstructed,’ regulate the liver, correct derangements or imbalances, enforce the emotion, dredge stasis, invigorate the spleen and kidney, and facilitate the source of vital function.”


References:

Altern Med Rev. 2010 Jul;15(2):136-46. Randomized controlled trial of electro-acupuncture for autism spectrum disorder. Wong VC, Chen WX. Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.; 1994.

Wong V. Can acupuncture of the tongue help autism? Autism-Asperger’s Digest Sept-Oct 2002;18-19:25,29.

Haley SM, Coster WJ, Ludlow LH, et al. Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory: Development, Standardization, and Administration Manual, Version 1.0. Boston MA: PEDI Research Group; 1992.

Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR). WeeFIM System SM. Clinical Guide: Version 5.01. Buffalo, NY: University at Buffalo; 2000.

Schopler E, Reichler RJ, Renner BR. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS): For Diagnostic Screening and Classification in Autism. New York, NY: Irvington; 1986.

Acupuncture treats Crohn's Disease - New Research

Source: HealthCMI

A recent study shows that acupuncture is an effective treatment for Crohn’s disease. The study was conducted by researchers at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and was published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of acupuncture on intestinal fibrosis in cases of Crohn’s disease. The researchers measured the effects of acupuncture on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and type I collagen (Col I) in the intestines of laboratory rats with Crohn’s disease. After the use of acupuncture, the expressions of Col I and bFGF reduced markedly in rats with Crohn’s disease. The research proved that acupuncture treatment reduces abnormally high levels of these substances. By reducing the abonormally high levels of Col I and bFGF, acupuncture prevents fibrosis in the intestines of those with Crohn’s disease.
Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture was applied at points St25 (Tianshu) and CV6 (Qihai). Electroacupuncture and moxibustion were applied in different groups. A separate control group did not receive acupuncture. The electroacupuncture and moxibustion groups showed marked improvement whereas the control group did not. The study shows that acupuncture and moxibustion reduce excessive deposition thereby treating fibrosis in patients with Crohn’s disease.
About Crohn's
Crohn’s disease (regional enteritis) is an inflammatory disease of the intestines. It can affect any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. Common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal bloating and pain, vomiting, weight loss, eye disorders, arthritis, dermatological disorders, and fatigue. Crohn’s disease is considered to be an autoimmune system disorder of the GI tract. Genetics may play a role in its etiology, however, there is significant evidence that environmental factors contribute to this pathology. Smokers are approximately twice as likely to develop Crohn’s disease. No western medicine cure exists for Crohn’s disease and therefore most MD’s focus on controlling the symptoms. Crohn’s disease may cause growth failure in children and increases the risk of cancer in the affected regions of the intestines.
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease is often confused with ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease commonly affects the terminal ileum and the colon. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the terminal ileum and always affects the colon. Crohn’s disease commonly affects the anus and ulcerative colitis rarely affects the anus. Crohn’s disease causes patchy or serpiginous (snake-like) ulcerations of the intestines whereas ulcerative colitis causes a continuous area of ulceration. Ulceration is shallow with ulcerative colitis but is deep with Crohn’s disease. As a result, Crohn’s disease may cause stenosis of the intestines. The study shows that acupuncture prevents fibrosis of the intestines thereby helping to prevent stenosis.



Reference:
Chen Zhao, Juying Ding, Jindan Ma, Linying Tan, Huangan Wu, Yingying Zhang and Linshan Zhang, Acupuncture on the basic fibroblast growth factor and type I collagen in colons of rats with Crohn’s disease, JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE AND TUINA SCIENCE, Volume 9, Number 1, 1-6.

Driving Directions to Essence Acupuncture

Located in Costa Mesa, easy access from Irvine, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Huntinton BeachNewport Beach and through highway 73, 55 or 405.

From the North: Take Freeway 405 southbound

Exit at the Bristol Street South off ramp, and stay on the left lane.

Turn left on Paularino Avenue and stay on the right lane.

Pass Red Hill Avenue and turn right at the first entrance into the

Water Garden Suites.

Keep left along the white office buildings to Building K.

We are located in Suite #105, at the corner of the two story Building K.

 

From the South: Take Freeway 405 northbound

Exit at Bristol Street and turn left.

Turn left on Paularino Avenue and stay on the right lane.

Pass Red Hill Avenue and turn right at the first entrance into the

Water Garden Suites.

Keep left along the white office buildings to Building K.

We are located in Suite #105, at the corner of the two story Building K.

 

From Freeway 55 southbound, driving towards Newport Beach

Exit at #58 / Baker Street and stay on the left lane.

Turn left on Paularino Avenue and stay on the right lane.

Pass Red Hill Avenue and turn right at the first entrance into the

Water Garden Suites.

 

Keep left along the white office buildings to Building K. We are located in Suite #105, at the corner of the two story Building K.

 

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Dr. Kathy Lin Welcomes You to Essence Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Clinic

Essence Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Clinic in Costa Mesa is dedicated to maintaining wellness and promoting health. Many modern western health care aids do not fully cope with the complexity of health issues that arise. People now look to Chinese Medicine as a treatment option that is less costly, equally or more effective, and with little or no side effects.

By providing you with traditional Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine treatment modalities, and Herbal Medicine as alternative and/or complimentary treatment options for your health concerns and health care.

I speak English, 台語, and 中文. Call us today for more information. 
 Phone: +1 (949) 485-5813

任何疑問、預約，現在就撥 : +1 (949) 485-5813
或是寫信 E-Mail : essencedrlin@google.com