A wide variety of symptom presentations have been identified in association with exogenous pathogenic attack of the "channel sinews" (CS). In accordance with the Eight Principles of Diagnosis and with reference to the classical literature, the author explores the outcomes of attack by exogenous pathogenic wind, cold, heat, and dampness at the acute stage.
In refining the design of single-blind acupuncture research trials, "sham acupuncture" has been proposed and used in trials as a useful "inactive" control, yet the degree of inactivity with sham acupuncture points remains largely undetermined. With neural and dermal effects occurring whenever a needle is inserted into the skin, regardless of depth or location, the estimated effect upon Qi when needling sham acupuncture points remains a matter of conjecture. This paper examines the statistical consequences of utilizing sham acupuncture as a control when its energetic and biomedical effects are unknown. It argues the need for a more careful consideration of "assumptions" in clinical research design.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), also referred to as chronic relapsing Guillain-Barré syndrome, is a rare neurological disease characterized by progressive symmetrical motor and sensory loss. Current biomedical treatments for this disease are often only short term in nature and have limitations with respect to side-effects and cost. The authors review CIDP from the perspectives of Western biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine. A case report of a 17-year-old female diagnosed with CIDP and treated successfully with acupuncture is reviewed.
Thirty years of active acupuncture research have failed to unequivocally demonstrate its clinical efficacy. Certain characteristics of acupuncture are difficult to fit into an experimental study. Many researchers mention selection of appropriate controls, single- or double-blind research design, and application of relevant outcome measures as areas causing most difficulties. Also cited are the variability of acupuncture techniques, difficulty of standardizing acupuncture treatments, inadequate population size, significant variability of response to treatments, the use of a distinctive terminology, and importance of practitioner's experience. Acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine are based on a unique philosophical model, and the instruments of biomedical research may be inadequate and inappropriate. In contrast to the quantitative experimental method, introspective self-observation and qualitative observation are offered as a means of studying the effectiveness of acupuncture.
Drawing on his perspective as psychiatrist and longtime practitioner of Chinese medicine (CM), the author introduces his interpretation of the energy concepts of CM as they pertain to the psychology of man. This discussion focuses on the Water Element and Kidney energy system which are associated with supervision the genetic and intrauterine developmental phases of evolution. A faltering of these energies is associated with both pervasive and subtle neurological disorders and a predisposition to the most severe psychological disturbances. The manifestations and consequences are examined with case studies.
UNLABELLED:According to Chinese medicine, the differential diagnosis of migraine headache may be classified based on the state of the viscera, channels and collaterals. In this study, acupuncture treatment prescriptions combining distant and local acupoints were selected according to the differential diagnosis. Sixty-four patients were divided into two equal groups: one group received acupuncture, and the other group underwent conventional drug treatment.RESULTS:The efficacy rates in the acupuncture and control groups were as follows, respectively: Cure: 75% versus 34.4%, marked improvement: 18.8% versus 28.1%, no effect: 6.3% versus 37.5%. The overall effective rates for the acupuncture and control groups were 93.8% and 62.5%, respectively, indicating a significantly greater effect in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01, x = 13.475).
This article reviews recent studies conducted in Europe which sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Peter Mandel's Esogetic Colorpuncture Therapy (ECT). These investigations addressed the use of specific ECT therapies for treating a variety of difficult health problems: migraines, childhood insomnia, bronchitis, ADD or learning disorders, and uterine fibroids. Limitations in research design and sample size necessitate that these studies be viewed as pilot or preliminary research. However, in all the studies, the findings showed dramatic improvement of symptoms after ECT treatments. This suggests that ECT may offer fast, economical, non-invasive and non-toxic methods for treating the selected health problems and that ECT continues to show promise as a powerful new method of wholistic healing.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), electroacupuncture (EA), and ice massage with placebo treatment for the treatment of pain. Subjects (n = 100) diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were treated with these modalities. The parameters for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment include pain at rest, stiffness, 50 foot walking time, quadriceps muscle strength, and knee flexion degree. The results showed (a) that all three methods could be effective in decreasing not only pain but also the objective parameters in a short period of time; and (b) that the treatment results in TENS, EA and ice massage were superior to placebo.
Based on previous experimental evidence suggesting improved healing of wounds treated with electrical stimulation, we conducted a clinical trial with patients seeking alternative medicine after unsuccessful conventional medical treatment. Electricity was delivered in two forms: (1) For wounds with extensive loss of tissue and/or those that had failed to heal spontaneously, electrical stimulation was delivered via subcutaneously inserted needles surrounding the wound edges and applying a dose charge of 0.6 coulombs/cm2/day; (2) in second degree burn injuries, lesions were covered with gauze soaked in a 10% (w/v) sterile saline solution and the same dose of electricity was applied as for (1). Forty-four patients were treated with electrical stimulation of the skin; 34 in group (1) and 10 in group (2). Following electrostimulation in all patients in both groups healing proceeded in a thoroughly organized manner, almost regardless of the severity of the type of wound or burn treated. Advantages and limitations of this technique are discussed.
Although acupuncture has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, micro-acupuncture is a recent concept. In the mid-1950s, Nogier discovered that the ear may be utilized as a diagnostic and therapeutic system for the entire body. He explored the topology of acupoints on the ear, observing that it is reiterative of the anatomy. Micro-acupuncture extends these principles to other parts of the body, for example, the foot, hand, nose, and even the orbit of the eye. The development, systems, theory, clinical uses and holograms of micro-acupuncture are reviewed. It is suggested that the holographic paradigm may even have implications for the evolution of a new scientific, social and personal consciousness.
This paper explores the relationship between Kidney Essence, Yang, Yin and Qi, and the Mingmen, their origins, the variety of functions they provide to the human organism, mentally, physically and spiritually, and the fundamental paradox they represent in terms of unity and polarity. This exercise is part of an ongoing personal exploration in the service of a more complete understanding of the cosmic and material functions of the Kidney in Chinese medicine and culture, also illuminated by Chinese pulse diagnosis. It is not meant to convey a final statement or as a repository of absolutes, but as an attempt to stimulate and ultimately share new ideas.
In Part II of this series, the author continues the discussion of a hypothesis based on acupuncture channel theory regarding the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). A system of Yin-type Tuina, termed FSR (forceless spontaneous response) evolved from this theory; its clinical application has resulted in various degrees of relief from PD symptoms, (e.g., tremor, rigidity, decreased dyskinesia; improved balance, circulation) regardless of the stage of the disease, and in several cases enabled a reduction of conventional medication. This installment includes basic instruction in the technique, and a discussion of the dyskinesia which occurs during restoration of Qi to the Large Intestine and Stomach channels during treatment. A case study chronicles the weekly changes in symptoms typically experienced by patients during FSR therapy.
This case report describes the treatment of varicose veins of the lower leg and their complete resolution by acupuncture. According to the author, there is no description of this condition and no guidelines for diagnosis and treatment in the literature of Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
Chronically ill patients failing to obtain effective treatment with conventional medicine often self-prescribe multiple nutritional supplements. In some cases, supplements can exacerbate pathology or block therapeutic progress because of negative effects on gastrointestinal, immunological, neurotransmitter, and hormonal functions. Nutritional supplements may also contribute to the growth of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Case studies involving evaluation of supplement energetics through acupoint biophoton coherence measurements at Pericardium-6 reflect the potential for harm from patient self medication.
Light therapy has a long history, dating from ancient Egypt to the contemporary treatment of seasonal affective disorder. In the early half of this century, Dinshah Ghadiali, MD PhD, refined a sophisticated system of color therapy. Influenced by a strong background in mathematics and physics, he determined specific "attributes" of the colors of the spectrum, i.e., their specific effects on human physiology. Later research has confirmed many of his concepts and spawned evolution of new systems for application of light therapy including irradiation of acupuncture points. According to the author, his system dovetails nicely with traditional Oriental medicine theory, relating colors to the internal organs and meridian system. Of particular note is recent Russian research which has shown that light is conducted within the body along the acupuncture meridians leading the authors to ponder: Do acupuncture meridians function as a light (photon) transferal system within the body, not unlike optical fiber? Case studies provide support for the clinical benefits of light therapy. The emerging contemporary color therapy systems of Mandel (Colorpuncture) and McWilliams (Chromo-pressure) are discussed, and a newly patented device is introduced.
Following the author's own experiences with chronic pain due to a motorcycle accident during medical school, and the pain's unresponsiveness to conventional medicine, he sought other solutions. His journey led him to a new understanding of health and illness. With these insights and through the use of acupuncture, bodywork and various breathing techniques, he began to see phenomena--emotional release, myoclonic shaking, and regression--and healing that could not be explained in terms of a rational or structural framework. He posits that such phenomena represent different forms of de-stressing which together serve to release "blocked feeling," which he suggests is the "energy block" described by acupuncture theory as "stagnant Qi." The fourth in a series, this installment explores the role of repressed anger and its relationship to chronic illness.
The aim of this study was to examine the thicknesses of muscle and fatty tissue layers at acupoints in the lower back for different body types in order to elucidate safe needling depths Using CT scans, our study revealed that two factors, namely body type and location of specific acupoint, are significantly related to the thickness of muscle and fatty tissue. The overweight group had thicker layers of both fatty and muscle compared to that of the normal- and underweight groups. Among the different acupoints studied, the variation in thickness of muscle tissue was much greater than that of fatty tissue. Additionally, the thickness of muscle tissue at a specific acupoint was found to be ±2.5-7.0 times that of fatty tissue.
Certain acupuncture points have been traditionally designated as contraindicated for needling, for moxibustion, or under special conditions. This article discusses the bases and sources for these prohibitions. Summary tables organize the points according to those contraindicated for comparatively shallow and deep needling, for moxibustion, and during pregnancy.
