‘Kung Fu Panda’ has acupuncture
I recently had a new patient in who said the only time she had seen acupuncture was in the Kung Fu Panda movie. I’m surprised it didn’t put her off from coming! I’ve uploaded a few funny acupuncture videos to the website so I thought it would be fun to include this one too: If…
Acupuncture improves brain connections in migraine patients.
Acupuncture treatment modulates the resting-state functional connectivity of brain regions in migraine patients without aura. New research in China shows that acupuncture treatment can increase functional connectivity in brain regions that show decreased connectivity in migraine without aura (MWoA) patients. Migraine patients often experience warning signs, known as aura, such as flashing lights. However, some…
Moxa for breech babies saves the NHS money.
Some great new research by Spanish researchers shows that acupuncture could be saving the NHS money if it were to be routinely offered to mother’s with babies in breech presentation. A baby should ideally present in a head down position for a healthy labor. If the baby is in a different position, especially with feet…
Acupuncture recommended for allergic rhinitis
The American Academy of Otolaryngology’s new Clinical Practice Guideline recommends acupuncture for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) who are interested in non-pharmacological therapy (treatment without drugs). A Guideline Development Group (20 experts in otolaryngology, allergy, immunology, nursing, CAM and consumer advocacy) developed the recommendations based on supporting evidence (randomised controlled trials with limitations, observational studies…
Heal your headaches in 3 simple steps.
A simple solution to your headaches and migraines. According to American neurologist David Buchholz there is a simple 3 step solution to relieving chronic headaches and migraines. Over the last few months I have had several patients follow the approach outlined in his book, Heal Your Headache, with great results. You can listen to David…
Acupuncture increases Heart Rate Variability
Heart Rate Variability Higher levels of Heart Rate Variability are associated with better health, most likely as it seems to reflect a healthy balance between the two sides of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system readies us for fight or flight whereas the parasympathetic calms us down. When we are stressed we can…
Persistent Pain Booklet
Where Does it Hurt? When we are pain we tend to think we know what is hurting. We twist our ankle, our ankle hurts. We say, ‘my ankle hurts’. It’s probably fair to say, yes, the ankle hurts. But what about chronic or persistent pain? What if you tweak your back and 3 months later…
Optimizing Female Fertility
Patient’s Factsheet – optimizing women’s fertility. Weight Ideally, aim to keep your weight between a BMI of 19 and 24 kg/m2 because a BMI outside these limits has been linked to subfertility, poor IVF outcomes, and miscarriages. If you need to lose weight regular exercise (minimum 30 min of moderately intense exercise at least three…
Moxibustion boosts immune function
Less well known than acupuncture moxibustion is at least as old. Moxibustion refers to the burning of the herb Artemesia directly on acupuncture points or on the ends of acupuncture needles. According to Skya Abbate writing in the Journal of Chinese Medicine: Like yin and yang, the Chinese characters for acupuncture and moxibustion are inextricably…
Acupuncture halts cluster headaches
A small Italian is the first to suggest that acupuncture can interrupt cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are excruciating attacks of pain in one side of the head, often felt behind the eye. Sufferers often call them ‘suicidal headaches’ because they’re so severe. Study design and protocol. Four patients with cluster headaches were treated with acupuncture…
Acupuncture improves menopause symptoms.
Taiwanese researchers have conducted a meta-analysis and concluded that acupuncture improves menopause symptoms. Effects of acupuncture on menopause -related symptoms and quality of life in women on natural menopause. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on hot flash frequency and severity, menopause-related symptoms, and quality of life in women in…
Research shows acupuncture effective for sciatica
Is acupuncture effective for sciatica? New research from the UK shows that acupuncture should be considered as a treatment option for patients suffering from sciatica. The study was a systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing the clinical effectiveness of different treatment strategies for sciatica. A network meta-analysis can provide estimates of relative efficacy between many…