Acupuncture Volunteering in Peru with Project Buena Vista
Let’s talk about volunteering your acupuncture skills in underserved areas today, shall we? What does this have to do with marketing? It’s related-ish. Keep reading.
Most acupuncturists I know are in this business because they want to give back, yes? You could say that’s the exact category of career we’ve chosen: the business of giving back.
And many of us have thought to ourselves at some point in our careers – where can I volunteer with acupuncture? How can I reach all the people who can’t afford acupuncture, but who would clearly benefit from it? How can I give more of the skills that I have?
The short answer is acupuncture can take you all over the world to treat patients in need. Peru, Nepal, India, Thailand, Mexico, the list goes on and on. How exciting is that?!
Cusco, Peru
Acupuncture is a low-cost, low-risk, profoundly effective medicine that has the capacity to impact a huge range of illnesses – all without the need for tons of medical equipment or medication. (But you knew all that already.) This makes it an ideal medicine to deliver in remote parts of the world.
I’d like to share my personal experience volunteering in Peru with the nonprofit Project Buena Vista as a firsthand look at where your acupuncture skills and compassion can take you. (With muchos pictures, of course.)
This is a topic that’s near and dear to my heart. After an incredible trip to Peru with Project Buena Vista, I decided to volunteer as a board member for the nonprofit, so I can keep contributing to their cause even when I can’t make it to Peru.
At the bottom of this post, I’ve provided a list of many international (and domestic) organizations that you can travel with, all over the world, to deliver free acupuncture to those in need. So scroll on down there if you’re not into pictures. (You’re not into pictures?!)
Before I dive into Peru and my incredible experience with Project Buena Vista: What does volunteering in underserved areas have to do with marketing, and why is it important?
1) Acupuncture Volunteering can benefit your practice:
The fundraising efforts and press releases that often accompany volunteering abroad can bring positive attention to your acupuncture business. Now, I’m not saying you should volunteer to provide acupuncture in underserved countries just so you can get good press. Volunteering in another country is a lot of work and takes serious commitment. You have to be in it for the right reasons, and publicity is not the right reason. Rather, publicity is a wonderful side benefit that will boost interest in and support for your practice.
The fundraiser I hosted for Project Buena Vista in my office landed us on the front page of the local newspaper, for example. Great exposure for everyone.
2) Acupuncture volunteering can benefit you as an acupuncturist (which in turn benefits your practice):
The learning curve is steep on many medical outreach trips – in a good way. Most volunteer opportunities in underserved countries involve community-style acupuncture that is jam-packed with patients from the moment you open the doors until the moment you close them. High volume clinics teach you how to be efficient: to know what’s important, to determine which treatment protocols are best, and to give your best to every patient, in a very limited time frame. This makes you a better practitioner, which will translate to your practice at home. You won’t forget what you’ve learned.
3) You can usually get Continuing Education (PDA) points for acupuncture volunteering:
According to the NCCAOM Recertification Handbook, you can get one PDA point for every 2 hours spent volunteering acupuncture services to people in underserved or low-income populations, the military, or for disaster relief. You can earn up to 10 PDA points per 4-year recertification cycle. There may be specific learning requirements that have to be met, but the organization you plan to travel with should be able to fill you in on those.
4) Personal growth:
Well, this one is a no-brainer, but I think it’s worth mentioning. Many people go on these kinds of trips to reconnect with acupuncture and remind of them why they are acupuncturists in the first place: to help people, to put patients first, and give of yourself for the greater good. It’s also incredible to see how differently other people live from us, and how happy they are without modern amenities, without fancy clothes, without a dream of ever owning a car. It can be refreshing and profound, if you let it.
Project Buena Vista is a small nonprofit based in Oneonta, NY and the Manu Biosphere Reserve (aka, the rain forest) in Peru. Founded by Laura and Florian Reyda, their goals are to help preserve the rain forest through providing education and health care to the local people who live there.
Laura and Florian originally went to Peru as college freshmen for a summer class, and fell in love with the area and the people. They’ve been traveling in and out of Peru for the last 20 years and purchased property in Manu, Peru about 5 years ago. Shortly after that, they set up the nonprofit Project Buena Vista.
They are the best tour guides and travel companions you can ask for. After spending so much time in Peru over the years, they’re well-known in the area, well-connected, and very familiar with the needs and goals of the local people.
Felipe, the boat driver, tour guide, and groundskeeper at Buena Vista Lodge
Laura, a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, leads the medical outreach portion of Project Buena Vista. I went with Laura to Peru in April 2013, with one other volunteer, Caitlin, to treat patients. It’s an experience I can’t wait to repeat. I love traveling, and traveling to give back to others – what could be better?
We spent two days in the gorgeous city of Cusco to purchase supplies and pick Caitlin up from the airport before taking a bus down into the jungle, which was about an 8-hour trip.
Cusco Cathedral in Cusco, Peru (one of many)
On our first day of clinic, in a town called Pilcopata on the edge of the rain forest, we treated 92 patients. I never imagined it would be possible to treat so many people with just two acupuncturists and one assistant. I was so proud of what we accomplished and the number of people we had the pleasure and honor of helping. I’ll be honest, it was hard, hard work, but it was worth it.
We took the next day off for travel deeper into the rain forest, to the Project Buena Vista property.
The kitchen and bunk house at Buena Vista Lodge
After some rest in the gorgeous, green jungle, we then spent the rest of our time treating patients in the rain forest town of Salvacion. Salvacion is across the river from Project Buena Vista’s property, and we took a boat to the opposite shore every morning. Then we had a 40 minute hike from the shore to the small town.
The beautiful hike to clinic in Salvacion
In Salvacion, over the rest of the week, we treated another 110 people. The pace was slower than in Pilcopata, but consistent. Our presence was announced on the local radio, as well as by one friendly guy with a loudspeaker in the center of town.
The people were kind, generous, and open-minded. Patients brought us water and ice pops as thank you gifts for treatment, to help alleviate the heavy jungle heat. Some patients showed up at our door because they heard there was “free pain treatment” but had no idea what acupuncture was. They were brave and let us treat them anyway.
I took a lot of things away from this trip, including new perspectives on treating patients. It was great to get to work with Laura and learn efficiency as well as to see how she approaches treatment. I feel like whenever you get the chance to practice alongside someone else, you learn so much.
The thing that sticks with me the most from Manu, of course, was the people the fact that I got to ride a dirt bike through the jungle like Indiana Jones! Woop! Okay, no, it really was the people!
They were open, trusting, and kind. I brought a copy of my acupuncture license thinking I would have to show proof of my training, but not a single person asked for it. We set up shop in a tiny hospital (with no MD) in Pilcopata, and the lead nurse never asked us to prove that we were who we said we were. It was as simple as this: we said we were there to help, so they let us help. If only the rest of the world was so trusting and straightforward!
The people in the rain forest had more than I imagined they would, but they still had much less than the volume of “stuff” that other countries (ahem, USA) think is important. And yet it mattered not at all. They were still kind, still funny, still sweet and generous. I try to carry that lesson with me always.
I look forward to returning to Manu, Peru so I can keep learning; I’m certain that every time I go, something new will surface. And I feel confident that most acupuncture volunteering trips are similar to this one, in that you’ll learn things you never expected.
If you want to travel with Project Buena Vista, check out their website at www.ProjectBuenaVista.org or feel free to shoot me a message on the Contact Page. Project Buena Vista travels to Peru twice a year, in late April and October. Laura’s next trip is October 9th, 2014, and she’s still accepting volunteers. Even if you’re not an acupuncturist, you can still be incredibly helpful.
Or, you can donate to Project Buena Vista if you’re so inclined.
And, as promised, here’s a list of the (mostly international) acupuncture volunteering groups that I’ve heard of. If you know of any that I’ve left off this list, please let me know so I can add them.
Acupuncture Volunteering Opportunities – Abroad and Domestic:
Pan-African Acupuncture Project (Mexico and Africa). Teach people in Mexico and Africa how to administer acupuncture to help manage AIDS and other conditions –www.GlobalAcupuncture.org
Acupuncture Ambassadors, for those more interested in the research side of acupuncture volunteerism abroad – http://AcupunctureAmbassadors.org
Have you traveled to treat patients in underserved or low-income areas, or for disaster relief? What was your experience like? Have you always wanted to travel abroad to treat new populations?
Original article and pictures take www.modernacu.com site
Acupuncture Treatment for Tennis Elbow & Golfers Elbow Acupuncture for Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Acupuncture, among other methods, can be successfully used to treat tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is really an inflammation of the outside of the elbow. This area of the elbow is the bone called the lateral epicondyle, which is why tennis elbow is also known as lateral epicondylitis. The outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender as a result of damage or tearing of the tendons and muscles of this area.
Golfer’s elbow is quite similar to tennis elbow except the inflammation occurs on the inside of the elbow, around the bone called the medial epicondyle. It too can be treated with acupuncture. Golfer?s elbow is also referred to as medial epicondylitis. The inner part of the elbow becomes painful and tender as a result of damage or tearing of the tendons and muscles of this area.
Causes of Tennis Elbow and Golfer?s Elbow
The terms Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow are misleading because most people don?t develop them from playing tennis or golf. The conditions are often brought on by overused or strained muscles, which in turn leads to the inflammation. Activities such as painting, raking, pitching and hammering involve repetitive arm movements that overuse and strain the muscles of the elbow.
Sometimes the conditions can be the result of a single injury or, they can be brought on from other conditions such as arthritis. The problem may be due to problems in the neck, or there may be no explanation for the inflammation at all. Usually, however, any activity that involves excessive force or repetition when gripping, twisting or reaching can trigger tennis or golfer?s elbow. The latter can be treated by the acupuncturist.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow and Golfer?s Elbow
Difficulty with movements such as gripping, lifting and carrying
Pain and tenderness either on the outside of the elbow (tennis elbow) or on the inside of the elbow (golfer?s elbow)
Pain that radiates down the arm toward the wrist
Difficulty extending the forearm
Tennis elbow is a result of overuse of the common extensor muscle group. The common extensor muscle group is not only excessively used by tennis players, but also computer users, typists, cash register operators, carpenters, and hair stylists. Tennis elbow is far more common than Golfer?s elbow. General treatment procedures are similar for both but the following is specifically written for tennis elbow sufferers.
Evaluation Procedures:
Resistance Test (Cozen?s test). This test is used to determine whether the pain gets worse when you bend your wrist back (extend it) against resistance. Small tissue damage around the elbow tendon attachment of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (the muscle that runs from the lateral epicondyle to the middle finger) can be found in many tennis elbow cases. In those cases, the patient will feel sharp shooting pain in the elbow by extending his/her middle finger against resistance.
Tenderness. Here we test for tenderness over or near the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. In the event of both these signs being present, it is likely that you have tennis elbow.
Grip Strength. Patients are asked to grip the dynamometer and stop as soon as pain is felt in the elbow (pain-free grip power), then grip with maximum power despite any pain (maximum grip power). Tennis elbow sufferers usually show a decreased maximum grip power and a large difference between pain free and maximum grip.
It is also important to examine your neck and upper chest regions, as factors in these areas may be fully or partly causing your pain.
What is the treatment?
The conventional approach often involves physiotherapy treatments, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, and may include an injection of a small dose of steroid to the affected area.
Is there any natural alternative treatment?
Acupuncture and moxibution treatment is used in order to decrease the hyper-tonicity of common extensor muscles.
In some acute cases, cryo (ice) massage is applied around the lateral epicondyle. After acute inflammation has subsided, the massage technique called transverse friction is often incorporated to break down the existing scar tissues around the tendons and restore normal tissue health.
Is there anything, besides the treatment, I can do or shouldn?t do?
Rest: The best way to relieve tennis elbow is to stop doing anything that irritates your arm ? a simple step for the weekend tennis player, but not as easy for the manual laborer, office worker, or professional athlete.
Wearing a Brace: For those who are unable to commit to complete rest, wearing a brace (especially designed for tennis elbow which helps decrease the stress on the lateral epicondyle) is recommended. In order to avoid muscle atrophy, the brace should be worn only at certain times of the day during activities and should be considered a temporary solution.
Ice: Application of ice helps decrease the inflammation. During the acute phase of tennis elbow, it is recommended that you apply ice at home or office at least a couple times a day (10-15 minutes duration). Ice should also be applied immediately after any activity that has caused pain and in some cases after the treatment.
Exercise: When the acute inflammation has subsided, I?ll show you an exercise that is helpful for your condition. The exercise consists of strengthening the common flexor muscle group (which will help relax the extensor muscles through the mechanism of antagonist inhibition reflex) and stretching the common extensor muscles. You should avoid doing any weight exercise that puts stress on the common extensor muscles.
How about vitamins or herbs?
Certain nutritional supplements are helpful in decreasing the inflammation around the tendons and in repairing of soft tissues. I will provide my recommendation at the appropriate time in the course of your recovery.
Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site
Director, The Pacific Wellness Institute Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Causes of hip pain
Pain or discomfort around the hip region is a common problem among both genders and all ages. There are many conditions that cause hip pain such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis of iliotibial (IT) band, hamstring/groin strains, dislocation, fracture, infection, osteonecrosis, or tumor. It is important to see a qualified medical professional and obtain a diagnosis and treatment appropriate for your condition. Here I mainly discuss trochanteric hip bursitis, one of the most common causes of hip pain.
What is Trochanter Bursitis in the Hip?
Bursitis means inflamed bursa. A bursa is a small sac of fluid-filled cushion that prevents friction between bones and tendons. Major bursae are located around the large joints such as the shoulders, elbows, knees and hips. There are two major bursae of the hip. The trochanteric bursa, which is located on the outer side of the hip and the ischial bursa, which is located in the lower buttock area (near the sitting bone). The trochanteric bursa is designed to reduce friction between the greater trochanter and the iliotibial band. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it can cause swelling and pain.
Trochanteric bursitis is sometimes viewed as a condition among middle-aged or elderly persons. However, because bursitis can develop either by a direct trauma to the area, prolonged pressure, or by repetitive friction of the iliotibial band on the bursa from overuse through sports and other activities, the condition is common among young individuals and athletes.
Signs and Symptoms of Trochanteric Bursitis
Hip bursitis causes pain, aching, and stiffness. The pain may be dull, burning, or throbbing and it can be very severe.
The trochanteric bursitis typically causes pain over the outside of the hip and thigh.
The pain is often aggravated by excessive walking, running or stair climbing.
The pain is often intensified at night, especially when one lies on the painful side.
Practitioners can often detect a tender spot or an area that is painful to touch or pressure on the greater trochanter region (a bony lump at the top of the outside of the thigh bone). A maneuver involving external rotation of the hip often elicits the pain.
Getting up from a chair or getting out of a car can be difficult due to the pain and stiffness in the hip.
Hip bursitis may cause radiating pain down the leg towards the knee. However, if pain radiates below the knee towards the foot, another cause or injury other than the hip needs to be investigated (such as lumbar herniation or sciatica). Another type of hip bursitis called ischial bursitis can cause pain in your buttock around the sitting bone and upper part of the hamstring muscles. In these cases pain is often aggravated after prolonged sitting on a hard surface.
How is trochanteric bursitis conventionally treated?
Your doctor may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, aspiration/drainage of the bursa and/or physiotherapy. If all other approaches fail, surgery may be suggested.
Acupuncture treatment for hip bursitis
The greater trochanter is the point of attachment for several powerful muscles of the thigh and pelvis. Acupuncture treatment is targeted at reducing excessive tightness and spasm of the muscles attached to the greater trochanter (the palpable protrusion at the top of the femur). This can help decrease excessive stress on the tendons attached to the hip. In many cases we utilize a dynamic acupuncture procedure involving periodical self and assisted joint movement called dynapuncture. This is particularly useful for patients who have trouble finding a comfortable position to lie down in long periods, which is very common among bursitis patients.
Applying ice is often recommended for bursitis. Icing constricts local blood vessels and temporarily decreases the blood flow, thus can be useful for controlling acute local inflammation. We also use a traditional heat therapy called moxibustion. In many cases, muscles around the inflamed hip joint and tendons are actually in an ischemic state (poor flow of blood and oxygen). Application of localized heat on specific acupuncture points is used to enhance blood flow and reduce the muscle tension. Therefore, with careful selection of acupuncture points, moxibustion heat therapy can be effectively used for bursitis during both acute and chronic stages.
Although orthopedic specialists may disagree, I believe an extremely important element for long-term success of bursitis treatment is stress management. The possible mechanism is the same as in the relationship between low back pain and emotional stress which is described in more detail in the low back pain page. Acupuncture treatment at The Pacific Wellness Institute encompasses a stress management technique, which incorporates breathing and systemic acupuncture procedures.
Besides acupuncture, patients with hip bursitis are recommended to obtain proper rest and to modify any activities that aggravate the pain and inflammation. One of the most important considerations is to avoid sleeping on the painful side, particularly for trochanteric bursitis patients. If patients are overweight, losing weight is a very important element for short and long-term improvement.
Many patients with hip bursitis are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or corticosteroid local injection. It is important to remember the different action and mechanisms between acupuncture and those medications. Please refer to the information posted on this page before deciding to proceed with acupuncture treatment.
Cases when acupuncture alone may provide limited benefit:
How well and how quickly one responds to acupuncture treatment often depends on the underlying nature of the hip bursitis and severity of the condition. While many bursitis patients respond very well with acupuncture treatment, some other patients require medical intervention or other therapies in addition to lifestyle modifications. Some of the conditions with which patients may not respond optimally to acupuncture treatment alone are:
Bone spurs or calcium deposits in the tendons which attach to the hip trochanter.
Signs of infection such as feverish swelling around the hip joint.
If the person is overweight, it is recommended to combine the treatment with dietary and lifestyle modification.
Final note: Hip problems are a common underlying overlooked cause of recurrent low back pain
Pain or discomfort around the hip region is not always related to the hip itself. Because some nerves which originate from the low back spine pass through the buttocks and hips, hip pain can be a referral pain due to low back injury. Although hip bursitis or tendonitis can produce radiating pain down your thigh, it does not typically cause any symptoms below the knee. If you are experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling sensation below your knee, you may be suffering from sciatica associated with a lumbar related injury.
However, it should be noted that the opposite case occurs as well and based on my clinical experience it is often overlooked by health professionals. Many cases of chronic recurring low back pain and spasms are actually triggered by underlying hip problems (pain or instability in hip joint causing recurring spasms in muscles in the low back). In such cases, patients receiving treatment and examination focusing only on their low back are unlikely to heal completely unless the underlying hip issue is properly addressed.
Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site
Acupuncture Toronto Traditional Acupuncture Service in Toronto Since 1990
Acupuncture Treatment at The Pacific Wellness Institute, Toronto
Qualifications: Acupuncture is regulated in the province of Ontario. If you are considering acupuncture in Toronto, it is essential that you seek a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac), in order to ensure that the practitioner has sufficient experience and training background in acupuncture. Our acupuncturists at the Pacific Wellness Institute are trained and licensed in Japan, and are Registered Acupuncturists in Ontario.
Experience: Our acupuncturists have over 30 years of clinical experience
Gentle techniques: Japanese acupuncture treatment techniques used here are not only highly effective but also distinctively gentle and painless.
Conditions: Because our procedure is virtually non-invasive, the treatment can be applied safely and effectively for a wide range of health conditions.
Research: Our acupuncturists are always trying to keep up-to-date with new research information that is meaningful to improving health of our clients. Our acupuncturist has been actively involved in many cutting-edge research projects on acupuncture and related modalities with Japanese, American, and Canadian universities.
Clean Needle and Strict Hygiene Policy: Our acupuncturists follow strict hygienic and clean needle procedures. Always use fresh clean sheets and use only the highest quality disposable acupuncture needles.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that is used to heal illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. Tiny, hair-thin needles are inserted into specific points in the body, where they are gently stimulated to trigger the body’s natural healing response. Acupuncture is effective for controlling pain and can regulate the body’s physiological functions to treat various internal dysfunction and disorders.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture was developed on the understanding that there are twelve main channels, or “regular meridians” running vertically across and throughout the human body connecting the internal organs. It is a tenet of acupuncture that Qi flows along these meridian lines. Qi is somewhat equivalent to the western idea of vitality or life-force.
The operating philosophy of traditional acupuncture is that disease is caused by interrupted energy flow at specific points on the body’s surface. Acupuncture thus involves the insertion of a needle(s) at the affected point(s) in order to stimulate Qi flow and harmonize energy flow in the body. How does traditional acupuncture translate into our modern medical understanding?
What conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
Our acupuncturists at The Pacific Wellness Institute have experience treating a wide variety of health conditions and illnesses such as:
Acupuncture has developed in the past few thousand years, through a rich tradition of trial and error, into an ’empirical’ medicine. In the United States and Canada, many different styles of acupuncture have been introduced such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, trigger point acupuncture, Korean hand acupuncture, etc. Despite such diversity, acupuncture is often discussed in general form. Physiological response from acupuncture varies greatly based on various factors, not only on practitioner’s skills but also on style of acupuncture.
What is Moxibustion?
moxibustion heat treatment
Moxibustion is a form of heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body. The term is derived from the Japanese “mogusa” meaning herb (mugwort) and the Latin “bustion” meaning burning. Moxibustion has been an integral part of the original concepts of acupuncture. It has been used in tandem with acupuncture to treat a variety of diseases throughout Asia for thousands of years.
Acupuncture Treatment Programs
acupuncture needle inserted to woman's forehead
Did You Know?
How many acupuncture needles can fit inside the opening at the tip of an 18-gauge hypodermic needle?
Forty acupuncture needles can easily fit inside the opening of the hypodermic needle.
Even patients who have had a previous experience with acupuncture before coming to Pacific Wellness are pleasantly surprised at how much more comfortable and painless our acupuncture treatments are. The main reasons why our acupuncture treatments are so painless are the quality and size of the Japanese disposable needles that we use and our specialized insertion and highly skilled, gentle stimulation methods.Our goal is to deliver the most effective treatment for a patient’s condition while providing the most comfortable treatment experience.
Please see our Acupuncture FAQ page to learn more about Acupuncture system used at The Pacific Wellness Institute.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact us by phone: 416-929-6958
“Your health concerns will be addressed in the most effective and timely manner possible. The acupuncture treatment system I have developed is designed to relieve your symptoms and improve your overall health simultaneously, which encompasses the knowledge and skills that I have acquired through my extensive research and clinical experience in acupuncture and alternative medicine.”
Original article and pictures take www.pacificwellness.ca site
Acupuncture relieves sinus problems due to allergies. Research published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy incorporates a meta-analysis of high quality allergy related studies comparing groups receiving acupuncture versus control groups. The researchers documented that acupuncture “produced significantly greater diminution of nasal symptoms” in the acupuncture group. They add, “Our meta-analysis showed that (the) acupuncture group has superior effect(s) in reduction of both rhinitis symptoms and the requirement for antiallergic medication compared with (the) control group.”
The research team notes that allergic rhinitis is a nasal hypersensitivity reaction to allergens. Common triggers include irritants such as dust mites, animal dander, and pollens. Reactions include nasal congestion, rhinorrhea (“runny nose”), sneezing, and pruritus (severe itching). Allergic rhinitis affects approximately 1.4 billion people with increasing numbers. Medications used to combat allergic rhinitis include antihistamines, corticosteroids, mast cell stabilizers, anticholinergics, and antileukotrienes.
Biomedicine And Acupuncture
The researchers note potential biological mechanisms making acupuncture effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. One mechanism is the ability of acupuncture to modulate cytokines, which are immune system cell secretions, and another is the ability of acupuncture to induce anti-inflammatory actions. The researchers identified changes in IgE as a result of acupuncture treatment for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. IgE is a class of immunoglobulins including antibodies that react to pollen, spores, animal dander and othe substances. IgE levels often rise significantly during allergic reactions. The researchers note, “Our meta-analysis of serum IgE levels in three included trials showed a significant decrease of IgE for the acupuncture group compared with the control group. This result showed strong and consistent evidence that acupuncture treatment leads to favorable responses in immunologic outcomes, which have been shown to be helpful in trials of proven therapeutic modalities, such as allergen-specific immunotherapy.”
Quality Of Research
This groundbreaking research distinguishes itself from prior investigations by including the “latest multicenter, randomized, pararallel-controlled trials.” Stringent inclusion criteria included:
Randomized controlled trials
Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis
Acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture or other control
A total of 174 abstracts were considered for inclusion but this was narrowed down to a limited number of trials meeting the inclusion criteria. All included trials reported on nasal symptoms, medication relief, quality of life, total IgE, or safety. A total of 2,365 participants made it to the final adoption in the research. This included 1,126 patients in the acupuncture treatment group and 1,239 in the control group.
The researchers conclude that acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis is indicated as a safe and effective modality of care in this meta-analysis. As a result, the researchers encourage continued research on this topic including future randomized-controlled trials to confirm the meta-analysis.
Acupuncture Or Drugs?
Acupuncture has been found equally effective as loratadine (Claritin®, Alavert®) for the treatment of dust mite allergies. Researchers from the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology at the University Hospital Dresden (Germany) conclude that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of allergy related rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis. The researchers document that acupuncture relieves symptoms of rhinitis including nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip and sneezing.
An acupuncture treatment group was compared with a medication group receiving loratadine, an antihistamine. A total of 87% of acupuncture study group patients and 67% of loratadine study group patients showed improvements by the end of therapy. A ten week follow-up after completion of therapy documents that 80% of acupuncture study group patients and 0% of loratadine study group patients demonstrated lasting improvement. The researchers note, “Both in the acupuncture and the loratadine group a significant improvement was gained under therapy. In the ten-week period following the therapy, a significant deterioration which led to the recurrence of the allergic symptoms was shown in the loratadine group, while the significant improvement of the symptoms persisted in the acupuncture group.”
Rhinoscopy examinations for nasal concha size and mucosa condition including evaluations of mucosal reddening and swelling of the nasal concha were included in the research. IgE and interleukin (IL-4, IL-10, IFN-y) levels were also evaluated plus an evaluation of nasal obstruction, nasal secretion and sneezing attacks was performed. Based on the results the researchers note “that the effectiveness of acupuncture is comparable to that of loratadine.”
Acupuncture was found to stimulate the production of IL-10, an interleukin that blocks histamine release from activated mast cells. Reduced IL-10 in the nasal mucosa is associated with an increase in nasal allergy symptoms. Acupuncture successfully increases IL-10 levels. The researchers note of acupuncture, “The results indicate the probability of an immunomodulatory effect.”
The researchers conclude, “Acupuncture is a clinically effective form of therapy in the treatment of patients suffering from persistent allergic rhinitis.” The researchers standardized the acupuncture treatments to include a protocolized selection of acupuncture points based upon Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles. The acupuncture points used for all patients were: LI 20, Bi Tong, Yin Tang, BL 2, GB 20, LI 4, LI 11, SI 3, ST 36, auricular 78, auricular 55.
Acupuncture needles were retained for 20 minutes each session. Patients received a total of twelve acupuncture treatments at a rate of twice weekly. Seirin® disposable needles were used: 0.3 X 0.30 mm for body acupuncture, 0.2 X 0.15 mm for auricular acupuncture. Patients taking the drug loratadine received 10mg doses every morning.
In related research, investigators documented a 96.5% success rate of acupuncture for the treatment of rhinitis. Participants received one treatment per day for fifteen acupuncture treatments. A second course of care was administered with the same parameters. A total of 61 persons had a total recovery, 21 showed marked improvement and 3 showed no improvement. Rhinoscopy and symptom improvement measures were used to evaluate the results. A two year follow-up confirmed the results.
Acupuncture needles employed in the study were 0.35 mm x 40 - 50 mm. The acupuncture points were: GB20 (Fengchi), LI4 (Hegu), ST36 (Zusanli). Supplementary acupuncture points were BL12 (Fengmen), BL13 (Feishu), Yintang (Ex-HN 3), GV14 (Dazhui). Supplementary acupuncture points were chosen dependent upon TCM differential diagnostics. In many cases, 20 minutes of manual needle manipulation were applied at each acupuncture session. Tonification and reduction acupuncture needle techniques and moxibustion were chosen dependent upon excess, deficient, heat and cold diagnostic patterns according to TCM principles.
In yet another study, investigators at RMIT University in Melbourne (Australia) studied 80 patients with chronic rhinitis and concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for rhinitis. Acupuncture points LI20, Yintang and GB 0 were the primary acupuncture points. Supplementary points included LI4, ST36, and CV6. The acupuncture group had significantly better outcomes than either the control group or the sham acupuncture group. Each acupuncture session was 25 minutes in length and patients were given 16 acupuncture treatments at a rate of twice per week. Results were tabulated after a three month follow-up. Both nasal and ocular symptoms associated with chronic rhinitis improved significantly for the acupuncture group. Members of the acupuncture group were also able to reduce consumption of relief medications. The researchers concluded that acupuncture is “safe and effective” for the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis.
References:
Feng, Shaoyan, Miaomiao Han, Yunping Fan, Guangwei Yang, Zhenpeng Liao, Wei Liao, and Huabin Li. "Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis." American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy 29, no. 1 (2015): 57-62.
Hauswald, Bettina, Christina Dill, Jürgen Boxberger, Eberhard Kuhlisch, Thomas Zahnert, and Yury M. Yarin. "The effectiveness of acupuncture compared to loratadine in patients allergic to house dust mites."
An Hua, Qinhuangdao Port Hospital, Hebei, China. "Treatment of 85 Cases with Chronic Rhinitis by Acupuncture." J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 2010, 8 (5): 318.
Evaluation of efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis. An, X 2006, Evaluation of efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis, Masters Thesis, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University.
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Acupuncture Reduces Stress For IVF Fertility Treatment
Acupuncture reduces stress for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Research in Fertility and Sterility, an American Society For Reproductive Medicine publication, measured the dose dependent effect of acupuncture on stress for women undergoing IVF.
They discovered that elevated stress levels persist in women receiving only a single acupuncture treatment on the day of embryo transfer. However, stress reduced significantly for women receiving several acupuncture treatments prior to the day of embryo transfer.
The researchers note that “acupuncture appears to be a promising stress-lowering tool for women undergoing IVF.” The research suggests a dose dependent effect. The study compared women receiving a single acupuncture treatment on the day of embryo transfer with those receiving several acupuncture treatments over a period of time greater than one month. The researchers note that one acupuncture treatment was not clinically significant but that “when undergoing multiple acupuncture sessions, stress scores were significantly lower.” Citing research on the impact of lowering stress on fertility procedure positive patient outcomes, the researchers recommend additional studies on acupuncture’s effects on fertility outcomes.
A related study was published recently finding that in vitro fertilization (IVF) live birth success rates may increase with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies, including both acupuncture and herbal medicine. A meta-analysis of over 1,200 IVF patient records was examined. Application of TCM modalities was associated with a significant increase in the live birth rate. The live birth rate was increased for both fresh donor and non-donor IVF embryo transfers.
Another recent study found a positive correlation between the application of acupuncture and stress reduction. Acupuncture was found to successfully improve sleep quality and reduce both stress and depression in the elderly. Published in Neuroscience Letters, researchers note that “the rigorous methodology employed in this study ensured the reliability of the results concerning the improved sleep quality and relaxation effects involved with acupuncture during aging.”
The researchers add that electroacupuncture “had a faster onset of action, better response rate, and better improvement rate than fluoxetine, indicating that acupuncture can be a good intervention method for ameliorating psychological distress and depressive symptoms, thereby promoting relaxation and well-being.”
The effects of stress on positive patient outcomes has garnered great interest in the scientific community. As research continues to demonstrate improved positive patient outcomes associated with stress reduction, the efforts for integrating stress reduction modalities into standard protocols of care appears likely to increase. The recent findings on acupuncture for stress reduction suggest that acupuncture may help provide important therapeutic interventions for patients.
References:
Sutton, C., S. Pentland, and J. Roberts. "A Comparison of Stress Levels in Women Undergoing Single Versus Multiple Acupuncture Session Prior to Embryo Transfer." Fertility and Sterility 103, no. 2 (2015): e36-e37.
Author Affiliations:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Yinstill Reproductive Wellness, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vancouver, BC.
Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Burnaby, BC.
Rubin, Lee E. Hullender, Michael S. Opsahl, Klaus Wiemer, Scott D. Mist, and Aaron B. Caughey. "Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in vitro fertilization outcomes." Reproductive BioMedicine Online (2015).
Zuppa, Carina, Carine H. do Prado, Andrea Wieck, Aline Zaparte, Andressa Barbosa, and Moisés Evandro Bauer. "Acupuncture for sleep quality, BDNF levels and immunosenescence: A randomized controlled study." Neuroscience letters 587 (2015): 35-40.
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