Tag: acupuncture pain relief

Medical Research

Review Article on Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Myofascial Pain

Nice review of the literature and science.  Free Article here. Probable mechanisms of needling therapies for myofascial pain control. Chou LW, Kao MJ, Lin JG. Abstract Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been defined as a regional pain syndrome characterized by muscle pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) clinically. MTrP is defined as the hyperirritable…

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Medical Research

Responders versus Nonresponders: Genetic?

There IS a wide variation in patients’ responses to acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA.)  In this study they look at gene expression that might explain those differences.  I’ve seen in my own studies that vagal enhancement is more often seen during treatment in responders, and the enjancement can be dramatic in “profound responders.” PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e42331….

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Health & Fitness

Katie Couric Discusses Acupuncture

And Katie Couric gets a needle too!  Very articulate acupuncturist with a lovely British accent giving a succinct summary and explanation.  A bonus picture of my favorite, Charlotte, from “Sex in the City” getting acupuncture for fertility. Click on Katie’s photo for the video, runs about 5 minutes.        

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Ethics in Medicine

Huffington Post: What Acupuncture Can Teach Us About Science

I came across this article from last October from the Huffington Post.  It is referencing the comprehensive article concluding that acupuncture works for pain. Blog discussion here. In the Huffington Post a professor from Saybrook University discusses the quandary of acupuncture and that it has been shown to work in spite of a comprehensive understanding…

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Medical Research

Adenosine and Acupuncture Pain Relief

Recent studies have shown that adenosine increases with acupuncture, suggesting that acupuncture works partially through adenosine A1 receptors.  This study suggests that the response is specific to acupoints and requires rotation of the needle.  This study looks at the response to Zusanli, one of the most commonly used points in acupuncture.  I’m glad to see…

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