Trial Finds Acupuncture May Help Prevent Migraines

A person receiving an acupressure treatment for migraines.

The Chinese study “helps to move acupuncture from having an unproven status in complementary medicine to an acceptable evidence-based treatment,” said Dr. Heather Angus-Leppan, a neurologist who wrote an editorial that was published with the study in the BMJ on March 25. “We now have good evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for episodic migraine,” said…

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Acupuncture Alleviates Knee Arthritis Confirmed

A woman is holding her knee with an image of a knee, demonstrating signs of arthritis.

Acupuncture has been found effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in a controlled clinical trial conducted at Ziyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The investigation ranged from January 2018 to September 2019. The researchers determined that electroacupuncture applied along the Shaoyang meridian, complemented with functional training, markedly promotes pain relief as well as…

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Understanding acupuncture as potential migraine treatment option

A woman is holding her head in pain, possibly indicating a migraine.

When traditional medicine hasn’t helped ease your migraine pain, many migraine patients are eager to explore other methods of treatment. Acupuncture was developed in ancient China, and involves piercing specific areas of the body with a needle to alleviate pain. According to the Chinese practice, there are 14 meridians along the body, and if there…

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Best Practices for Prescribing Herbal Medicine during the COVID-1

The American Society of Acupuncturists best practices for prescribing herbal medicine during the COVID crisis.

These times are requiring new and different ways of working with our patients. Many acupuncturists are seeking ways of continuing patient care that support our national effort towards physical distancing. This has put Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCM/ East Asian Medicine) into the spotlight. It is important to remember that, generally, Chinese herbal medicine is…

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Acupuncture for Preventing Complications after Hysterectomy

A person undergoing acupuncture treatment after a hysterectomy.

Cervical cancer, with an estimated 600,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide annually, ranks second in women’s malignant diseases. Accounting for one-third of the world’s total annual new cases, 83.9% of cervical cancer in China accepted surgical treatment. The procedure is associated with significant perioperative morbidity, followed by some unavoidable complications. Bladder dysfunction (including sensory loss, incontinence,…

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Acupuncture Shoulder & Neck Pain Relief

A woman with acupuncture needles on her shoulder receiving treatment for neck pain.

Acupuncture is effective for shoulder pain relief. Two independent investigations find acupuncture effective for the alleviation of scapulohumeral periarthritis, which involves inflammation of the shoulder region (including the tendons, muscles, and bursa). Both investigations determined that acupuncture successfully improves shoulder function and reduces or eliminates pain. Panjin Central Hospital, researchers conclude that “acupuncture can significantly…

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Herbal Medicine Mental Illness Relief

A pile of yellow petals, representing the beauty and therapeutic properties of herbal medicine, on a serene white background.

Chinese herbal medicine is an effective measure for the treatment of mental disorders. Independent investigations find Chinese herbal medicine effective for the reduction of symptoms associated with a type of mental illness, termed Bai He disease within the traditional Chinese medicine system. Researchers note that Bai He disease directly correlates to the modern diagnostic term…

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Acupuncture Promotes Healthy Weight Reduction

A woman undergoing acupuncture for healthy weight reduction with needles on her stomach.

Acupuncture demonstrates positive effects in supporting healthy weight reduction along with the alleviation of hunger sensations, fatigue, and abdominal distension. A widespread health concern, over 4 million people die annually due to complications caused by excess weight. A body mass index in excess of 25 is defined as overweight and greater than 30 is defined…

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Acupuncture Painkilling Effects For Sinus Surgery​​

A person's hand with an acupuncture needle on it, targeting sinus pressure for relief.

Acupuncture exerts anesthetic effects and reduces requirements for anesthetic drug use during endoscopic sinus surgery. Researchers from the Shuguang Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) combined acupuncture with general anesthesia. Patients receiving both general anesthesia and acupuncture in a combined treatment protocol had superior patient outcomes compared with patients receiving only anesthetic drugs.…

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