Acupuncture for Patients With Chronic Tension-Type Headache
A recent study found, in the prestigious journal Nature, that acupuncture may be effective in reducing the frequency of chronic tension-type headaches. The study included 218 participants who received either true acupuncture or a sham treatment for eight weeks. The group receiving true acupuncture had a higher responder rate and a greater reduction in monthly…
Read MoreAltered HRV in Adolescent Girls: A Cause of Anxiety?
This study sought to determine whether HRV measures, a measure of autonomic balance. corresponded to “internalizing symptoms” found in adolescents. Their conclusion was “Results suggest that reduced HRV should be considered as a potential contributor to exacerbating internalizing symptoms in adolescence. Girls with reduced HRV and CC might be prone to the development of internalizing…
Read MoreEffects of electroacupuncture on depression and the production of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor compared with Prozac
This is a study that I referenced here but neglected to put in the original study. This study compared the effectiveness of electroacupuncture to the antidepressant medication Prozac in patients with depression. Both treatments were found to be clinically beneficial for the patients, but electroacupuncture had a greater effect on a neurotrophic factor called GDNF, which…
Read MoreStellate ganglion block reduces symptoms of Long COVID: A case series.
I’m seeing more Long Covid in the clinic. As readers know, my interest for a long time is autonomic balance and its effects on health. It appears that Long Covid has dysautonomia, or an imbalance of the autonomic system, as a hallmark. Though I would prefer the less invasive therapies of acupuncture and Transcutaneous Vagal…
Read MoreA BMJ Author’s Journey to Recovery from Long Covid
This author, a professor of tropical medicine, researcher discusses his experience with long covid, and how he used unorthodox physical therapy approaches to overcome his symptoms. Paul Garner: on his recovery from long covid This opened the door that led to my recovery. I learnt that our primitive and unconscious defence mechanisms against injury…
Read MoreTranscutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Modulating Neuro-Cardiovascular and Cognitive Performance.
These authors make the case that TAVNS, transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation, should be used in the aging population to help combat neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Keep in mind, that acupuncture also typically enhances parasympathetic activity. The advantage of TAVNS, and why I have been exploring it in the clinic (and with brave souls who…
Read MoreHeart Rate Variability and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review
This article makes a case for evaluating HRV to detect early cognitive decline. It does not suggest improving autonomic balance as a means of improving or maintaining cognitive performance. But I will suggest just that! Be it with acupuncture or with Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation, I say why not. Safe and will have other benefits…
Read MoreCircadian stage-dependent and stimulation duration effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability
In this study there were 3 findings. 1. HRV showed significant improvement in vagal activity in the morning. In the evening there were no similar result. 2. HRV parasympathetic markers improved more in patients who had lower vagal activity to begin with. (This has been a consistent finding across studies) 3. The most pronounced changes…
Read MoreHeart Rate and Autonomic Nervous System Activity Relationship During Acupuncture Associated with Postural Change and Effect on Menopausal Symptoms:
In addition to showing that just 4 weeks of acupuncture improved menopausal symptoms, these authors show that vagal activity is enhanced with acupuncture needling in real time. This study looks at the effect of postural change on HR and HRV in menopausal women receiving once per week acupuncture. They compare the verum acupuncture group with…
Read MoreTranscutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Inflammation but Does Not Interfere with Cardiac Modulation and Clinical Symptoms of Individuals with COVID-19:
When I went to the Neuromodulation conference in May in Barcelona, there was a presentation by someone from Sevilla, who showed improvement in symptoms in patients in the hospital with Covid. Since inflammation plays such a key role in Covid 19 symptoms and disability, any safe means of decreasing inflammation would be welcome. TAVNS can…
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