Below are brief summaries of important articles about of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In some cases, we will only offer the abstract to download. Please contact Health On Point if you would like the complete article. If you are aware of valuable science supporting our medicine, we'd love to hear from you. All files are in PDF format.
ONCOLOGY: Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer [download here]
PURPOSE: To test the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in reducing hot flashes in men with advanced prostate cancer (CaP) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.
Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. More than 217,730 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, and an estimated 32,050 patients will die of this disease. Factors including family history and race/ethnicity account for increased risk of prostate cancer. Age-specific incidence rates are also a factor in CaP, and advanced age accounts for about 60% all newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases. Additionally, 80% of all CaP deaths occur in men greater than 70 years of age... (International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2011, 2, 51-55)
ACUPUNCTURE: Does it work? How??
Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nociceptive effects of acupuncture [download here]
Acupuncture is an invasive procedure commonly used to relieve pain. Acupuncture is practiced worldwide, despite difficulties in reconciling its principles with evidence-based medicine. We found that adenosine, a neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive properties, was released during acupuncture in mice and that its anti-nociceptive actions required adenosine A1 receptor expression. Direct injection of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of acupuncture. Inhibition of enzymes involved in adenosine degradation potentiated the acupuncture-elicited increase in adenosine, as well as its antinociceptive effect. These observations indicate that adenosine mediates the effects of acupuncture and that interfering with adenosine metabolism may prolong the clinical benefit of acupuncture. (Nature Neuroscience, July 2010)
Relationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians to Connective Tissue Planes [download here]
We found an 80% correspondence between the sites of acupuncture points and the location of intermuscular or intramuscular connective tissue planes in postmortem tissue sections. We propose that the anatomical relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes is relevant to acupuncture’s mechanism of action and suggests a potentially important integrative role for interstitial connective tissue. (The Anatomical Record: The New Anatomist 2002)
Relationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians to Connective Tissue Planes [download here]
We found an 80% correspondence between the sites of acupuncture points and the location of intermuscular or intramuscular connective tissue planes in postmortem tissue sections. We propose that the anatomical relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes is relevant to acupuncture’s mechanism of action and suggests a potentially important integrative role for interstitial connective tissue. (The Anatomical Record: The New Anatomist 2002)
PAIN:
Pragmatic Randomized Trial Evaluating the Clinical and Economic Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain [download here]
In a randomized controlled trial plus a nonrandomized cohort, the authors investigated the effectiveness and costs of acupuncture in addition to routine care in the treatment of chronic low back pain and assessed whether the effects of acupuncture differed in randomized and nonrandomized patients... Acupuncture plus routine care was associated with marked clinical improvements in these patients and was relatively cost-effective. (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2006. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Stress and Fertility
American Society for Reproductive Medicine fact sheet reveals the connection between stress and infertility. It is recognized that acupuncture remains a safe and effective method for relieving stress and improving one's fertility.
BBT Chart
This BBT Chart will give you a clear and concise way to chart your basal body temperature (BBT) and other fertility signs. It is specially designed for women who are trying to get pregnant and want to better understand their menstrual cycles. We suggest that patients with irregular menses, PCOS or subfertility record their cycles for at least three months. Remember to bring copies to your appointment.
Low-frequency Electro-Acupuncture and Physical Exercise Decrease High Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [download here] Acupuncture and Exercise decrease sympathetic tone in PCOS. We have recently shown that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with high muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Animal studies support the concept that low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA) and physical exercise, via stimulation of ergoreceptors and somatic afferents in the muscles, may modulate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. (AJP Regulatory and Integrative Physiology, June 2009)
Nausea and Vomiting
Download the handout for at home care. Our patients rave about using acupuncture in conjunction with these acupressure points and guidelines for at home care!
Turning Breech Babies
Download this general guideline for moxibustion therapy to be used in conjunction with instructions from your acupuncturist at Health On Point.
