• One aspect is that acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system. When stimulated with acupuncture needles, the CNS (Central Nervous System) releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. Chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins help the body return to a state of balance (homeostasis) physically and emotionally.
• When acupuncture was introduced to the West, in the 1970s, it has been rejected and scrutinized by the Western medical field. This has prevented researchers and academic institutions from incorporating acupuncture and herbal medicine into the mainstream medical system.
• In time, more people turned to acupuncture and herbal medicine reporting results where Western medicine did not have an answer for complex cases. In the last 20 years, this has created a higher demand for research to explain how acupuncture works.
• A  research study from 2018 identified the difficulties of researching acupuncture due to the unfamiliarity of Traditional Chinese Medicine medical terminology, a lack of specificity of acupuncture point locations, different needle insertion technics, different treatment approaches and anatomical structures of meridians.
• In a systematic review of physiological reasoning from acupuncture, a total of  79 clinical trials were identified and examined in 2005.
  • Out of the 79 trials, 53 (67%) trials exhibit a physiologic basis for acupuncture: 33 (62%) proposed neurochemical mechanism, 2 (4%) reported segmental nervous system effect, 6 (11%) studies found autonomic nervous system regulation, 3 (6%) found local effects, 5 (9%) affects the brain, and 5 (9%) other effects.
• Demonstrating the efficacy and mechanism of Acupuncture is no simple task yet year after year more information helps us understand. The more research is undertaken, the more you will see acupuncture as part of integrative care plans.
•  The National Institute of Health research has shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for nausea, addiction, headaches, low back pain, and so much more!

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent, L.Ac.

 CLARIFYING MYTHS & MISINFORMATION

  Patients regularly contact us to inquire about the difference between acupuncture and dry needling. Here is a document published by the American Society of Acupuncturists that will help you gain clarity. 

 

 

The-Relationship-Between-Acupuncture-and-Dry-Needling-Clarifying-Myths-and-Misinformation

How can acupuncture help with anxiety and depression?

It is normal for humans to feel down or nervous at times! It becomes problematic when the mood lasts for an extended amount of time and interferes with everyday functioning. According to the CDC, 1 out of every 6 adults will have depression at some time in their life. Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder. In Chinese medicine, mental health disorders are a result of disharmony within the five organs. Each organ houses an emotion and when the qi becomes stagnated (usually through external events, disease or inner self-critical tendencies) the emotions can get stuck. A placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of body needle acupuncture in 43 patients with minor depression and 13 patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The study found that after 10 acupuncture treatments, patients showed a significantly larger clinical improvement compared to the placebo group, stating: “needle acupuncture leads to a significant clinical improvement as well as to a remarkable reduction in anxiety symptoms in patients with minor depression or with generalized anxiety disorders”. A powerful acupuncture point used for anxiety is Pericardium 6. It translates to “inner gate” referring to the physical pericardium, a membranous sac that surrounds the heart within our body. This point helps calm the mind, open and ease the heart, and relieve nausea. For depression, Gallbladder 13, “root spirit”, calms the mind, settles the spirit, and relieves anxiety deriving from constant worry and fixed thoughts. Managing anxiety and depression takes a tool kit of behaviors. Lifestyle changes you might want to make include: individual, group, or art therapy, physical activity such as cardio and weight lifting, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, cease drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Treatment plans depend on how the individual’s body responds to acupuncture. In general 1-2 treatments for 6 weeks is a good starting point. Herbal medicines that may be prescribed for anxiety include Evergreen- Calm, it promotes the free flow of qi and blood while nourishing our center. For depression, Evergreen- Shine is designed to release the build up of qi, blood, food, and phlegm to let them flow more easily throughout the body. By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent

• When a couple has been trying to conceive for over a one year without any results, biomedicine refers to this as infertility. 12% to 15% of couples go through this sensitive time.
• One third of couples with infertility, is due to complication from low sperm count, low sperm motility, abnormal sperm, or other male-related conditions.
• The second third of infertile couples is related to women’s health, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, low egg quality, hyperprolactinemia, etc.
• The last third of couples with infertility, is a result of both the male and female, or an unknown cause.
• In Chinese medicine, infertility in men and women can be from blood deficiency, kidney deficiency, stasis of blood, cold in the womb or damp-phlegm.
• A randomized controlled trial, researching the role of acupuncture in improving women’s reproductive functioning, found that the women who received acupuncture conceived within an average of 5.5 weeks compared to 10.67 weeks for the lifestyle adjustement only group, so half the time!
• A powerful acupuncture point used on women is Zi gong xue. It translates to “Palace of Child” the women’s uterus. This point helps regulate menses, regulate and raise qi. For men, Ren 4, the origin gate. This point strengthens and nourishes the Kidneys (Qi, Yin and Yang) and Essence.
• If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, some of the lifestyle changes you might want to make include: keeping lower abdomen warm, eating warm soups and bone broths, cease drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
• Treatment plans depend on how the individual’s body responds to acupuncture. In general 1-2 treatments for 6 weeks is a good starting point.
• Herbal medicines that may be prescribed for women are Evergreen-Blossom (phase 1 through 4) which supports menstruation, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases. For men, Evergreen–Vitality is designed to increase sperm motility and address erectile dysfunction.

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent

In a German study, titled “Acupuncture Beats Antihistamines For Allergic Rhinitis”  Acupuncture outperformed the control group and the medication group (fluticasone propionate) for both reduction of symptoms and downregulation of serum IgE, IL-1 β, and TNF-α. These substances are proinflammatory mediators. IgE is an antibody that functions in immunity but is also involved in hypersensitivity related to asthma, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. IL-1 β is a proinflammatory cytokine with pyrogenic (fever producing) properties. TNF-α is another cell signaling protein (cytokine) with proinflammatory actions. It is involved in systemic inflammation, acute reactions, and is an endogenous pyrogen. Results were confirmed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. Modern research supports the use of acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

• According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, between 10 to 30% of the worldwide population is affected by allergic rhinitis. 7.6% of people in the US over the age of 18 have hay fever.
• Allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, are a reaction of the immune system to a foreign substance such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. 
• Acupuncture helps with balancing the immune system, relieving itchy dry eyes, clearing a stuffy nose, associated headaches, and releasing built-up pressure in the sinus cavity. 
• Acupuncturists identify allergies as an external wind invasion. The wind invasion can be accompanied by heat, cold, and phlegm. For example, a sore throat is a heat sign, chills are a cold sign, and abundance of sputum is a phlegm sign. 
• Popular acupuncture points to help with the symptoms include Bi Tong and Gallbladder 20. Bi tong is located right over the maxillary sinuses and Gallbladder 20 vents exterior wind.
• Herbal formulas that may be prescribed for allergies are Evergreen Magnolia Clear Sinuses and Puria Clear Sinuses. The main differentiating herbs from these formulas are Ge gen and Xin Yi Hua. Ge gen releases the exterior from wind, especially the upper back muscles and neck. Xin Yi Hua is a magnolia flower, it helps expel wind-cold and unblocks nasal passages. 
• Treatment plan depends on the severity of the symptoms. In general, during an acute phase, 1 to 2 times per week for 4 weeks, followed by maintenance care 1 treatment every 2 weeks, is recommended. For prevention, 1 treatment per week starting at least one month before your allergy season begins.
• Lifestyle changes during the allergy season can greatly benefit symptoms. Diet adjustments, avoiding foods and beverages that create inflammation and phlegm such as dairy, processed sugars, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, spicy foods.  Cleansing the air by using air filters to eliminate particles that may cause an immune response and wearing a mask outdoors when the pollen count is high.

Source: 

“Acupuncture Beats Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis .” NCCAOM, HealthCMI, 5 Apr. 2018, https://www.nccaom.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Acupuncture%20Beats%20Antihistamines%20For%20Allergic%20Rhinitis.pdf.

By Kayla Forstall and Dr. Guillaume Vincent, L.Ac.