Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) might be a mechanism behind the analgesic effects of auricular acupuncture
This is a retrospective study that explores the most commonly used ear acupuncture points and concludes that vagal nerve stimulation may be the mechanism of pain reduction. I met the first author at a conference in Barcelona 3 years ago. Hopefully, he’ll remember me and send me a reprint. As blog readers and patients know,…
Read MoreStress Levels and High Blood Pressure: Case Study Ma.Ma edition
I wanted to just quickly post this interesting data. This is a patient who began coming in for treatment for hot flashes after breast cancer treatment with anti-estrogen therapy. The acupuncture worked quite well for that and the hot flashes decreased significantly. She also wanted to work on her blood pressure which had been high….
Read MoreHRV and PMS Clinical Case Study: Sa.Sc. Edition cont’d
This data is from a young woman with quite severe, disabling PMS. We are about to enter her third cycle under treatment and she is able to tell a difference. She is not as depressed or foggy. Breast tenderness is much less. So we will see how this cycle goes. Of note is that, typically,…
Read MoreMeasuring Neuroplasticity After Single Acupuncture Treatment
Neuroplasticity studies are relevant to stroke recovery and other neurological impairments. Acupuncture is commonly used in China for stroke victims. This gives some added credibility to the practice. Neural Plast. 2017;2017:4716792. doi: 10.1155/2017/4716792. Epub 2017 Feb 15. Neuroplasticity Changes on Human Motor Cortex Induced by Acupuncture Therapy: A Preliminary Study. Yang Y1, Eisner I2, Chen…
Read MoreAcupuncture and Neuromodulation for Migraines: Clinical Case Study Ne.Be.
This data is from a patient who has been coming to the clinic for acupuncture for migraines for 3 years. His migraines are not totally gone, but he’s extremely happy with the once per month frequency he is now experiencing. He used to have migraines 3 to 4 times per week. Somehow, he was still…
Read MoreAcupuncture Better than Botox, Meds for Migraines
In this study of 108 migraineurs, Acupuncture produced better results than botox or pharmaceuticals. Their succinct conclusion “Acupuncture, botulinum toxin-A injection and pharmacological treatment have beneficial effects on chronic migraine; however, acupuncture showed more effectiveness and fewer complications.” Nice! Caspian J Intern Med. 2017 Summer;8(3):196-204. doi: 10.22088/cjim.8.3.196. Acupuncture and botulinum toxin A injection in the…
Read MoreTranscutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation to the Neck
Study showing that stimulation of the vagus nerve in the neck elicits the same brain activity as invasive (implanted) vagal nerve stimulation, or auricular vagal nerve stim. As patients and blog readers know, I study vagal response with HRV in the clinic in conjunction with acupuncture. But I’m keenly interested in noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation…
Read MoreBrain Scans Show Real Effect of Acupuncture
A report from The Guardian discussing recent findings showing that acupuncture works in a way distinct from any placebo. “Placebo acupuncture can ease short-term pain but the real thing might help to reverse the underlying pathology of a disease.” ” “I was completely floored,” he says. Whatever the acupuncture was doing, it wasn’t working as…
Read Moreeffects of electroacupuncture to the trigeminal nerve area on the autonomic nervous system and cerebral blood flow in the prefrontal cortex.
This fascinating study has implications not only for improving stress profiles by increasing vagal activity as measured by HRV, but also is relevant regarding headache treatment with acupuncture. It also showed increased cerebral perfusion in the prefrontal cortex. Amazing! Keep in mind, big money is being thrown at these kinds of endeavors that use technologies…
Read MoreIncreased Sympathetic Activity in Headache Patients
This article compares autonomic activity in headache patients. They make no distinction between headache and migraine. Though I’d expected as much, they found lower parasympathetic activity and higher sympathetic activity in headache patients. I do have one patient who has had remarkable results with acupuncture, but his stress levels remain quite high. Other than his case,…
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