PMS premenstrual syndrome Asian woman holding head in pain having headache, stomach cramps, acne, mood swings with symptoms written on blackboard background in chalk.

DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb. 20, 2020 /CNW/ – Health and wellness company Satipharm Ltd. (“Satipharm” or the “Company”) has initiated clinical research into the use of CBD for relief from menopause symptoms. Following the successful completion of its Phase II clinical trial demonstrating that Satipharm CBD capsules reduced seizures in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy by an average 73%, the company is now turning its attention to perimenopause and menopause.

Utilizing Satipharm’s Advanced CBD capsules with Gelpell^® delivery technology, manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”), the aim of the clinical research is to demonstrate that Satipharm’s patented CBD formulation will provide significant relief from symptoms associated with these physiological changes.

Jonathan Hartshorn, CEO of Satipharm, commented “providing clinical evidence to our customers, on which they can base their health decisions, is a priority focus for Satipharm. Following the success of our Phase II clinical trial in epilepsy, we have been identifying new areas of research to advance the understanding of CBD. We are seeing increasing evidence that CBD is beneficial to women seeking relief from perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms which warrants further clinical investigation.”

Perimenopause for most women starts between the ages of 42 – 52, and can cause a number of undesirable symptoms, including:

• irregular menstrual cycles
• hot flushes
• night sweats
• fatigue
• sleep issues
• mood swings

Visit CannapyHealth.com for all your CBD needs

Chinese herbal medicine with herbs used as a tonic, acupuncture needles, moxa stick & script on rice paper. Translation reads as acupuncture needles used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Coronavirus: Chinese researchers claim TCM herbal remedy could ‘inhibit’ 2019-nCoV

CORONAVIRUS: Chinese Researchers Claim Formula Shuang Huang Lian could “ inhibit” 2019-nCoV. On Jan. 31, China’s state press Xinhua published an article that claims that the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences) and the Wuhan Institute of Virology had discovered that the Shuanghuanglian oral liquid could be used to “inhibit” the 2019-nCoV. Call our office if you are planning to be on #airplane or #travel 310-444-6212 to buy this formula #coronavirus #chinesemedicine #acupuncture #health #healing #bh #brentwood #chineseherbs #research #clinicaltrials #pubmed #askdrsuzanne
Made from a blend of honeysuckle, Chinese skullcap and forsythia, shuanghuanglian is believed to be antiviral, antibacterial and good for the immune system; thus, it is often used to relieve symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat.
I have this formula now in stock. Please call my office for more information. 310-444-6212
Stay well and healthy,
Dr. Lucy

Article in Forbes Magazine about Facial Acupuncture which I have been using on my patients for 27 years. Come see me if you would like an alternative to injections and surgery.

Botox injections to erase facial lines are commonplace today but facial acupuncture, a treatment that’s been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is becoming increasingly popular as a natural alternative to plastic surgery and Botox. Acupuncture needles are a well-accepted treatment in the West for migraines or stress but facial acupuncture for aesthetic purposes is a more recent phenomenon. However, there are already dozens of clinics offering this service in London alone. Dr John Tsagaris, a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was one of the first in the UK to offer facial acupuncture and is now one of London’s top practitioners in non-invasive aesthetic techniques. He combines the ancient traditions of Chinese medicine with new scientific medical insights to promote what he describes as “ageing well.” Dr Tsagaris’s methods have been praised by his loyal customers, including celebrity ones. Penelope Cruz in London’s Evening Standard recently described Dr John Tsagaris as “one of the best acupuncturists in the world.”

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dr John Tsagaris uses acupuncture, specific bodywork, as well as herbal, supplement and lifestyle recommendations to help clients “age well” rather than to try to artificially hold back time. His signature treatment, “beauty acupuncture,” combines acupuncture with traditional facial treatments. Before the dozens of fine needles are applied to the face, the skin is prepared using Dr Tsaagaris’s own SkinPointEight products that cleanse and gently exfoliate. After the acupuncture, a SkinPointEight mask is applied and facial acupressure/shiatsu plus a derma-roller Chinese tool (that doesn’t include needles) is used to enable the ingredients in the mask to penetrate deep

So how does facial acupuncture actually work and does having at least 50 tiny needles inserted across the face hurt? The needles are incredibly fine so they make the slightest of painless pricks but what these tiny punctures do is cause the body to go into repair mode, increasing circulation and oxygen supply to the skin. The technique, inspired from traditional acupuncture, encourages production of newer, stronger collagen and elastin fibres resulting in improved firmness, elasticity, reduced fine lines and a healthier complexion and texture overall. This micro-wound healing response, unlike Botox, can influence the longterm health of the skin, working on more than just the superficial signs of ageing.

The main result people experience from facial acupuncture is a brighter, plumper complexion. The treatment does help to smooth lines and improve the firmness and volume of skin. But unlike Botox or dermal fillers, or a more extreme procedure like a facelift, facial acupuncture isn’t a quick, instant fix and more than one treatment is advised. An initial course of four treatments is suggested, once or twice a month with follow-up sessions to ensure maximum efficacy and long term results. Keeping in mind that a Botox treatment is an ongoing treatment as it only lasts a few months and involves injecting Botulinum toxin, it’s not surprising that a more natural treatment like facial acupuncture is becoming more popular.

In addition to facial acupuncture, Dr Tsagaris uses 20 minutes of LED (Light Emitting Diode) light therapy, backed up by NASA research, to activate skin cells and focus on skin’s cellular performance, to further enhance the acupuncture results. The treatment concludes with a short lymphatic facial massage with a special sonic device, followed by facial cupping to maximise the skin’s microcirculation and plumpness. The eye area is also gently treated with an eye massage tool and various serums and creams.

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to Botox or seeking a treatment that will ensure you leave with a healthy glow and less fine lines (and who doesn’t want that?) Dr Tsagaris’s signature acupuncture facial is definitely worth considering. Dr Tsagaris moved his practice this year to the Harrod’s Wellness Clinic.

Actor Patrick Dempsey isn’t a doctor, but he played Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd on TV for so many years that he says people often get confused.

The mix-up can become especially pronounced when he heads home to Lewiston, Maine and visits the Dempsey Center, a complementary cancer care center that he founded in 2008, just over a decade after his mother was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Local patients and their families can visit for fitness, nutrition classes, counseling — all free of cost.

“Every person has a different need,” Dempsey said, speaking at The Atlantic’s People v Cancer conference in New York on Tuesday. “We do not treat the disease, we treat the person. We treat the whole person, the family, the caregivers, the children, everyone.”

Among the cancer patients, there is one favorite treatment that rises above the rest: acupuncture.

“I mean, everybody likes to get massage,” he said.

Acupuncture — a  traditional Chinese needle, heat, and pressure system that has been around for thousands of years — has been shown to relieve some of the most painful and stomach-churning side effects of cancer treatments. But while many people do feel better after an acupuncture treatment, scientists have evidence that a lot of what’s going on is a placebo effect.

Tim Greenway/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Acupuncture can help cancer patients feel better, but it may not be because of the needles

Acupuncture relies on tapping specific points on the body, called “acupoints.” The idea is that acupuncture can influence the body’s “qi” or “chi,” aka energy. Typically, treatment is done with needles that are almost as thin as a human hair, but some acupuncturists might also use heat or apply pressure.

The tradition piqued the interest of the US National Institutes of Health, where scientists started studying acupuncture in 1997. Turned out, the needling technique was effective at easing some of the nasty side effects of cancer radiation and chemotherapy, especially the nausea and severe vomiting. Acupuncture may also help patients with fatigue.

But scientists have also discovered that the benefits of acupuncture may have nothing to do with the needles or specific pressure points. Many studies which have pitted acupuncture against “sham” pricking treatments suggest there may be a powerful placebo effect at work.

“You could randomly poke somebody with toothpicks, and some studies literally do that, and that’s just as effective as doing all the things that an acupuncturist is supposed to do,” Dr Steven Novells, a neurologist at Yale, previously told Business Insider.

Whatever the mechanism, Dempsey said he sees notable changes when patients try acupuncture at his cancer center.

“It’s nice to see when people are hesitant at the beginning, and then they try it, and they’re a few sessions in, and they notice a difference,” he said. “Then they’re like, ‘Ahh, yeah.'”

The right kind of touch may be an important part of this equation. Virtually any good massage therapy can help treat pain and improve quality of life for cancer patients, needles included or not.

Perhaps that’s why Dempsey is such a vocal proponent of wellness centers like his, arguing they should be “in every hospital” and part of every cancer patient’s support.

“You need to be prepared physically, emotionally, and mentally for the journey,” he said. “The whole family does.”

By Gabrielle Kassel November 12, 2019 for Shape Magazine

From CBD lube and clit vibes to intimacy apps and O-shots, there are all sorts of new products popping up promising to improve your sex life. But there’s an ancient treatment method you’re probably sleeping on that could make an even bigger difference: acupuncture.

If you’re scratching your head thinking, “Really?” keep reading. Below, experts explain what acupuncture is exactly and how it may help make your sex life *Daft Punk voice* wetter, better, faster, stronger.
How Acupuncture Can Improve Sexual Functioning

At its most basic, acupuncture involves placing thin, hair-like needles at specific points in the body. The point “is to prompt the body’s own healing abilities to restore balance,” says Jill Blakeway, D.A.C.M., a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine at the YinOva Center in New York City.

That may sound a little woo-woo but research points to acupuncture as having some serious benefits. To name a few, studies show acupuncture has the potential to help with: allergies, fertility issues, symptoms of PMS, headaches and migraines, insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression, and back pain.

Anecdotally, Blakeway adds that she’s also seen people find relief from autoimmune diseases, hormone imbalances, digestives problems (such as acid reflux or IBS), chronic urinary tract infections, chronic cough, and more.

Okay, so where does sex come into all of this? “There are often multiple factors that contribute to sexual problems—many of which acupuncture addresses,” says Blakeway. An in-depth look below.
1. When Stress Increases, Sex Drive Decreases

This won’t surprise you: Higher stress levels are linked to reduced interest in sex, according to a 2018 study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior. (Shocking, I know.)

What does this have to do with acupuncture? Well, when you’re stressed, your body can literally hold that stress as physical tension in your muscles—especially your shoulders, head, and neck, says Blakeway. “You can use acupuncture to relieve stress and tension in those areas,” she says. And as your stress levels go down, your sex drive goes up.

“If low libido is caused by physical stress, then just three or five acupuncture sessions should be enough to bring it back up,” says Irina Logman, certified acupuncturist and owner of Advanced Holistic Center in NYC. But if you’re chronically stressed it may take ten or even twenty sessions to restore it, she says.

Stress, as you’re well aware, can also manifest psychologically. “When you’re stressed, intrusive thoughts can keep you from being in the moment during sex,” says Blakeway. Acupuncture doesn’t just relieve muscular stress; research shows it can also promote mental clarity and relaxation and decrease psychological stress, she says. (BTW: Exercise, unplugging, and breathing can also help you destress.)
2. Blood Flow Everywhere = Blood Flow to Genitals

During an acupuncture treatment, your body sends blood to where it’s being poked it with needles (called acupoints), which Blakeway says, which can improve overall circulation.

Wondering how that could possibly have a positive impact on sexual response? Well, because blood flow to the genitals is a prerequisite to sexual pleasure. One study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility showed that adequate blood flow is responsible for the lengthening of the vaginal canal (making room for penetration) and producing natural lubrication, both of which are hugely important to your body’s preparation for and enjoying of sex. (That’s one reason exercise makes great foreplay, too.)

Sure, this is why folks with circulation disorders and cardiovascular disease often experience sexual dysfunction, but anyone without these illnesses can experience it, too. (Here’s everything you need to know about sexual dysfunction and what it means, exactly.) “So many people nowadays spend much of their workdays sitting, which can cause reduced blood circulation in the pelvic area,” says Logman. Luckily, she says, if the problem has not turned into a chronic condition, “just a couple acupuncture sessions can fix it right up.”
3. Needles + Hormone Balance

It probably isn’t news to you that your hormones, which affect your stress levels, sleep patterns, metabolism, cycle, and food cravings, also affect your sex drive. Luckily, “acupuncture can be used—usually in combination with Chinese herbs—to resolve hormonal problems that can be at the root of a low sex drive,” according to Blakeway.

And research backs that up: A 2018 study published the journal Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine found that acupuncture can increase estrogen, estradiol, and progesterone, which have been linked to increased sexual desire in women. While the researchers didn’t go as far as to call acupuncture a cure for sex-hormone imbalances, they do say that acupuncture could be part of a holistic approach to hormone therapy.
4. Acupuncture > Side Effects

Another known cause of low libido is anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medication.

Good news: Acupuncture may actually help remedy sexual disorders (think: impotence, loss of libido, and then the inability to orgasm) caused by certain anti-anxiety/depressant meds, according to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

For the study, folks answered a questionnaire, underwent 12 weeks of acupuncture, and then re-answered the questionnaire. The researchers wrote that the “female participants reported a significant improvement in libido and lubrication” after the 12 weeks of treatment. Possible this was just the placebo effect? Sure, but if people actually noticed an increased libido and had an easier time cumming, IMHO, who cares if it was from the acupuncture or not.
5. Keep Your Partner ⥣

If you’re sleeping with a person with a penis and your bedroom woes include them blasting off before you’re even warmed up, know this: One 2017 review published in the journal Sexual Medicine concluded that acupuncture may help treat premature ejaculation. So, you might get them a few sessions as a gift or, have them tag along to your appointment.
Should You Try Acupuncture for Better Sex?

If you suspect your sex life is ~blah~ because you’re just not that into your partner, you two could communicate better, or you don’t know what brings you pleasure, acupuncture isn’t your solution. (Though, some solo sessions, a break-up, and/or couples therapy might be.)

But, if you have a sit-all-day lifestyle, would self-identify as a Stress Case, think your hormones could be out of whack, or experienced a change in sexual functioning after starting antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication, there’s really no downside to trying it. There may be a little bit of blood or bruising at the site the needle goes in, and some folks report feeling sleepy after their appointment. (Oh, and acupuncture might make you cry.) But any side effects worse than that are rare, according to the experts.
How Long Does It Take for the Acupuncture Benefit to Work?

“Over the years, I treated patients who felt marked improvement after just one session,” says Logman. But it’s not typically that quick of a fix. Blakeway recommends sticking with it for at least six weeks to see a change.

If after six weeks you don’t notice any improvements, Logman suggests going to a professional who uses acupuncture alongside other staples in Traditional Chinese Medicine (such as acupressure, Gua Sha, and more.)

Or, just saying, you can always try another ancient practice: tantric sex. https://www.lucypostolovacupuncture.com/

By Gabrielle Kassel

Acupuncture and herbs outperform sulfasalazine for the alleviation of ankylosing spondylitis. Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers investigated the benefits of drugs, acupuncture, and herbal medicine for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. The researchers conclude that acupuncture plus herbs is more effective than the sulfasalazine (an antirheumatic medication).

Three groups were compared. One received only drug therapy. Another received herbal medicine. Another group received herbal medicine plus acupuncture. The group receiving herbal medicine plus acupuncture achieved the highest positive patient outcome rate of 52.8%, with only a 2.8% adverse effect rate. The drug therapy group had an adverse effect rate of 38.7%. In additional to clinical subjective improvements, the acupuncture plus herbs group achieved the greatest improvements in radiographic changes and levels of C3, ESＲ，CＲP, and PHI. Primary outcome measures for the study included the following:

• Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS-G)
• Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)
• Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI)
• Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)
• TCM Syndrome Differentiation (TCM Symptom) Scale

BAS-G is a global measure used to assess the well-being of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. BASDAI is a diagnostic tool used to determine patient reported disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. BASRI is an objective method used to grade radiographic changes in AS (ankylosing spondylitis) patients. BASRI is an instrument used to quantify the mobility of the spine in AS patients. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) symptom improvement was evaluated based on the TCM Syndrome Differentiation Scale.

Laboratory parameters were quantified, including the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and complement 3 (C3). ESR is a blood test that often reflects inflammation levels in the body. CRP is a marker of inflammation in the body. PTH is a natural hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands. Elevated PTH levels indicate a possible development of AS. C3 is an immune system protein. Higher than normal levels of C3 are associated with active AS. The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group significantly outperformed the drug control groups across all objective and subjective measures (p<0.05).

Design
Researchers (Wang et al.) used the following study design. A total of 108 patients were treated and evaluated in this study. The patients received treatment for ankylosing spondylitis and were randomly divided into three groups: an acupuncture plus herbal medicine group, an herbal medicine group, and a drug group, with 36 patients in each group. For the drug group patients, sulfasalazine was administered. The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group received acupuncture in addition to the identical herbal formula administered to the herbal medicine group.

The statistical breakdown for each randomized group was as follows. The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group was comprised of 28 males and 8 females. The average age in this group was 26.5 years. The average course of disease in this group was 3.2 years. The herbal medicine group was comprised of 30 males and 6 females. The average age in this group was 26.3 years. The average course of disease in this group was 3.6 years. The drug group was comprised of 27 males and 9 females. The average age in this group was 25.9 years. The average course of disease in this group was 3.9 years. There were no significant statistical differences in gender, age, and course of disease relevant to patient outcome measures for patients initially admitted to the study.

Treatment
For the drug group, patients received sulfasalazine tablets (0.25 g). For the first 5 days of treatment, the tablets were orally administered three times per day, one tablet each time. After 5 days, the tablets were given three times per day, two tablets each time. The treatment lasted for 60 consecutive days. The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group patients received acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. The primary acupoints used for the treatment group included the following:

• GV6 (Jizhong)
• Extra points (Huatuojiaji)
• BL23 (Shenshu)
• GV2 (Yaoshu)
• GB34 (Yanglingquan)
• Extra points (Ashi)
• GB33 (Yangguan)
• GV14 (Dazhui)
• GV9 (Zhiyang)
• GV8 (Jinsuo)

Treatment commenced with patients in a sitting position. After disinfection of the acupoint sites, a disposable filiform needle was inserted into each acupoint with a high needle entry speed. For Jizhong, Huatuojiaji, and Ashi points, the needles were inserted obliquely into each acupoint, with a maximum insertion of 1.5 cun. After a deqi sensation was obtained, the needles were manually stimulated with the Ping Bu Ping Xie (mild attenuating and tonifying) manipulation techniques.

For Yaoshu, Shenshu, and Yanglingquan, the needles were inserted perpendicularly to a depth of 1.0 cun. Then, the needles were manipulated with the xie (attenuating) technique with rotational speed reaching 80 r/min. For Yangguan, Dazhui, Zhiyang, and Jinsuo, the needles were inserted perpendicularly, reaching a maximum depth of 1.5 cun. After obtaining a deqi sensation, the needles were applied with the bu (tonifying) technique. The needles were retained for 20 minutes. One acupuncture session was conducted daily for 60 consecutive days. The Chinese herbal formula (modified Wuling decoction) used in the study included the following ingredients:

• Zhu Ling 10 g
• Ze Xie 15 g
• Niu Xi 10 g
• Qiang Huo 6 g
• Fu Ling 10 g
• Fang Feng 6 g
• Gui Zhi 7 g

A 300 ml decoction was made from fresh herbs each day, divided into two parts, and was administered in two servings, one in the morning and one at night, for a total of 60 consecutive days.

Laboratory and clinical data indicates that acupuncture plus herbal medicine is more effective for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis than sulfasalazine. Acupuncture plus herbs improves symptoms and disease related biomarkers. Given the results of this investigation, additional research is warranted.

Reference:
Wang F, Wang MJ. Clinical Observation of Acupuncture Combined with Modified Wulingtang for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Journal of Basic Chinese Medicine [J], 2017,23(08):1135-1138.

Lucy with a valued patient

Visit me at https://www.lucypostolovacupuncture.com/

Acupuncture is more effective for treating rheumatoid arthritis and improving markers of oxidative stress than pharmaceuticals. This was discovered in a recent study conducted at Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital. [1]

This study compared treatments of hot-filling acupuncture to pharmacology for 68 patients presenting with wind-cold-damp type rheumatoid arthritis. Outcomes were determined by measuring both pain relief by VAS (visual analog scale) and oxidative stress markers such as GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), SOD (superoxide dismutase), and MDA (malondialdehyde). Oxidative stress describes increased levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species), which damage cells and are believed to be participatory in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis.

Following treatment, the total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 91.2%. The control group measured at 76.5%. At the 3 month follow-up, the acupuncture group continued to experience greater improvements with an effective rate of 88.3% while the control group measured lower at 70.6%.

Introduction
Patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the acupuncture or control group. The acupuncture group was comprised of 16 male and 18 female participants 41–70 years old with a mean age of 56. This group’s disease duration spanned 9–75 months, with a mean duration of 30.5 months. The control group was comprised of 18 male and 16 female participants 42-69 years old with a mean age of 54. This group’s disease duration spanned 10–72 months, with a mean duration of 32.3. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, age, disease severity, or pain scores (p>0.05) at the onset of the study.

Rheumatoid arthritis severity was assessed with the DAS-28 (Disease Activity Score 28), where a combination of examination, global pain scores, inflammatory markers, questionnaires, and medical imaging are all considered; total scores are calculated using a complex formula. Scores of >5.1 indicate active disease, scores of <3.2 indicate low disease activity, and scores of <2.6 indicate remission.

TCM diagnostic criteria include primary symptoms of severe joint pain in a fixed location, stiffness in the morning, and limited ability to bend and stretch. Secondary symptoms include heavy limbs, reduced joint mobility, numb skin or muscle, a white and greasy tongue coating, and a taut or bowstring pulse.

In addition to meeting the above criteria, participants were also required to be 40–70 years old with a disease duration of 5–80 months and a DAS-28 score of >2.6. They were also required to be able to give informed consent and not be participatory in glucocorticoid or DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug) therapy.

Exclusion criteria included concurrent respiratory, hemopoietic, psychological, or other primary disease, suspected or confirmed lesions or skin disease in knee joints or surrounding areas, other immune disorders, pregnancy or lactation, and poor treatment compliance.

Treatment
Acupuncture group patients received hot-filling acupuncture administered at the following primary acupoints:

• Hegu (LI4)
• Zusanli (ST36)
• Sanyinjiao (SP6)
• Guanyuan (CV4)
• Qihai (CV6)

According to each patient’s most severely affected joints, additional acupoints were selected:

• For the elbow, Chize (LU5), Quchi (LI11), and Shousanli (LI10) were added.
• For the wrist, Yangchi (TB4), Wangu (SI4), Yangxi (LI5), and Waiguan (TB5) were added.
• For the knee, Yinlingquan (SP9), Yanglingquan (GB34), Heding (MLE27), Dubi (ST35), Xiyangguan (GB33), Liangqiu (ST34), and Xiyan (MNLE16) were added.
• For the ankle, Jiexi (ST41), Kunlun (BL60), and Xuanzhong (GB39) were added.

Stainless steel, disposable, filiform needles (0.30 × 40 mm) were inserted bilaterally using the following technique: Following standard procedure, the selected points were disinfected while the patient was in a supine position. The researcher then applied pressure to the selected acupoint with their left thumb or forefinger. Next, they used their right hand to insert the needle 30–40mm deep. After achieving deqi, the needle was pressed and rotated forward 5 times using the right hand while continuous pressure was applied with the left finger or thumb.

To elicit sensation in the surrounding area, needle depth was increased in 5 stages. The needle was then gently lifted in 5 stages before it was pressed and rotated 5 times more. This process was repeated continuously for 1 minute before allowing the needle to rest at an appropriate depth. Needles were retained for 30 minutes, and treatment was administered once daily. A total of 4 courses were administered. Each course was comprised of 5 consecutive treatments, separated by 2–day breaks. Control group patients received pharmacological intervention with the following drugs and dosages:

• Etoricoxib 60 mg daily, after food
• Leflunomide 20 mg daily, after food
• Methotrexate 5 mg twice weekly, after food

All pharmaceuticals were administered for a total of 4 weeks.

Outcomes and Discussion
Outcomes for this study were measured after 4 weeks of treatment and at a 3 month follow-up. These outcomes were measured by VAS for pain, serum GSH-Px, SOD, and MDA. Total effective rates were also calculated for each group.

Mean pretreatment VAS scores were 7.12 in the acupuncture group and 6.99 in the control group. Following treatment, these scores fell to 1.32 and 2.96 respectively. At the 3-month follow-up, they had risen to 2.97 and 3.98. Although both groups experienced significant improvements in pain scores, improvements were significantly greater in the acupuncture group (p<0.05).
Serum levels of the biomarkers GSH-Px, SOD, and MDA were also assessed before and after treatment. GSH-Px and SOD are enzymes with antioxidant properties, while MDA is a marker of oxidative stress.

Mean pretreatment levels of GSH-Px were 67.34 U/L in the acupuncture group and 67.40 U/L in the control group. Following treatment, these scores increased to 80.50 U/L and 77.70 U/L respectively. They fell to 76.98 U/L and 69.00 U/L at the three-month follow-up.

Mean pretreatment levels of MDA were 5.57 µmol/L in the acupuncture group and 5.66 µmol/L in the control group. Following treatment, these scores fell to 3.55 µmol/L and 3.94 µmol/L respectively. They increased to 4.88 µmol/L and 4.29 µmol/L at the three-month follow-up. Although both groups experienced improvements across all biomarkers, improvements were significantly greater in the acupuncture group (p<0.05).

Total effective rates were calculated for each group according to TCM syndrome scores. Patients with a ≥95% improvement in symptoms were classed as recovered. Treatment was classed as markedly effective for patients with a 70–90% improvement in symptoms, effective for patients with a 30–70% improvement in symptoms, and ineffective for patients with a ≤30% improvement in symptoms. Recovered, markedly effective, and effective scores were added together to calculate the total effective rate.

There were 12 recovered, 13 markedly effective, 6 effective, and 3 ineffective cases in the acupuncture group, giving a total effective rate of 31/34 (91.2%). There were 8 recovered, 7 markedly effective, 11 effective, and 8 ineffective cases in the control group, giving a total effective rate of 26/34 (76.5%).

At the 3-month follow-up, there were 9 recovered, 14 markedly effective, 7 effective, and 4 ineffective cases in the acupuncture group with a total effective rate of 30/34 (88.3%). There were 5 recovered, 8 markedly effective, 11 effective, and 10 ineffective cases in the control group with a total effective rate of 30/34 24/34 (70.6%).

The results indicate that acupuncture effectively relieves pain and improves biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis patients, and is more effective than conventional, pharmacological treatment.

Reference:
1. Zhang Fengfan, Yuan Bo, Tian Liang, Wang Yixin, Qiao Xiang, Zhang Tingzhuo, Li Xinglan, Wang Jinhai, Tian Jiexiang, Du Xiaozheng (2019) “Clinical Efficacy of Hot Needling Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Effects on Oxidative Stress” Chinese Journal of Information on TCM Vol. 26 (2) pp. 26-30.

Lucy Postolov and one happy patient

Journal Review Aug. 19, 2019

Dear Doctor: What do you think about acupuncture for lower back pain? What is it, and how does it work?

Dear Reader: Acupuncture is a key component of traditional medicine in China, but until recently, it was viewed as alternative therapy here in the United States. Then, in 1997, the National Institutes of Health issued a pro-acupuncture consensus statement, acknowledging acupuncture as an effective tool for managing pain and nausea. The agency also recommended that acupuncture be taught in medical schools. As doctors, we both see a role for acupuncture in our practices. Dr. Ko recently finished her training in acupuncture and uses this treatment.

Acupuncture is a centuries-old practice that builds on the premise that the human body contains energy pathways, known as meridians, which are comprised of more than 2,000 specific points. During an acupuncture treatment, a practitioner stimulates certain groups of points by inserting hair-thin sterile needles. The feeling is more of a distinct sensation than actual pain. Acupuncture needles may also be heated during a treatment, or they can be stimulated to conduct a mild electric current. A usual course of treatment typically includes multiple sessions that can continue for weeks or months.

Despite centuries of use, modern medicine doesn’t really understand how this ancient technique works. One theory ties the stimulation of acupuncture points to the release of specific biochemicals, which play a role in healing, as well as physical and emotional well-being.

A study published in 2014 used advanced 3D imaging techniques to examine acupuncture points at the cellular level. The researchers found that, unlike neighboring tissues, acupuncture points contained a high density of micro-vessels and other vascular structures. Not a definitive answer to the mysteries of acupuncture, but certainly an intriguing start.

Clinical studies have shown the value of acupuncture for pain relief, nausea, headache and osteoarthritis. A growing number of medical insurance plans cover acupuncture treatments. The U.S. armed services now use acupuncture as a form of pain management. And the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is considering a proposal to cover acupuncture treatments for patients with chronic lower back pain participating in certain clinical trials.

If you do decide to try acupuncture, please be sure to find an experienced practitioner. As with many integrative therapies, licensing requirements vary from state to state. If you live in an area that doesn’t have licensing requirements or oversight for acupuncturists, consider looking for a practitioner certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, a national oversight and advocacy organization. You can find more information at nccaom.org. www.lucypostolovacupuncture.com