Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading CAM options to treat menopausal symptoms
Category Archives: Acupuncture/ pressure
Acupuncture for obesity
A review published 6 years ago in the International Journal of Obesity concluded, “Most trials have been descriptive in nature, of short duration (less than or equal to 12 weeks), and designed using nonstandard treatment protocols.”
So, what’s changed? Continue reading Acupuncture for obesity
Acupuncture not better than “placebo” for major depression
Major depressive disorder (aka clinical, major, and unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood with low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, in Toronto, Ontario studied the response to a 2-point electroacupuncture protocol (verum acupuncture). Continue reading Acupuncture not better than “placebo” for major depression
Benefits of acupuncture for treating lazy eye
Amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” is the loss of 1 eye’s ability to see details. It’s the most common cause of vision problems in children.
Researchers in Hong Kong and New York compared the effectiveness of 2-hour daily patching vs acupuncture in treating anisometropic (unequal refractive power of the eye) amblyopia in children. Continue reading Benefits of acupuncture for treating lazy eye
CAM in the US: Patterns of use
I’ve largely ignored these studies in the past, but perhaps it’s worth a second look.
To start, this 1993 study by Dr. David Eisenberg, who is now the director of Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies at Harvard University, is considered a landmark in the field of “unconventional medicine.” Continue reading CAM in the US: Patterns of use
Combining acupuncture, diet, and exercise to control body weight
Prof. Ernst and researchers at Shahid Beheshti University, in Tehran, Iran, looked for additional benefit from acupuncture. Continue reading Combining acupuncture, diet, and exercise to control body weight
Is there a role for acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disease?
Doctors use the word “functional” to describe symptoms or problems when they can find no anatomical abnormality.
Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch, in Galveston reviewed the evidence using acupuncture and electro acupuncture. Continue reading Is there a role for acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disease?
Are those using CAM less likely to be immunized?
There’s concern that the use of complementary and alternative medications (CAM) may replace recommended preventive health practices.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, in Pennsylvania conducted a survey to learn more. Continue reading Are those using CAM less likely to be immunized?
Review: Biofeedback for headache
Dr. Frank Andrasik (photo) at the University of West Florida, in Pensacola has reviewed the evidence for each category of biofeedback.
Here’s what we know about preventive or acute therapy for migraine. Continue reading Review: Biofeedback for headache
Review: CAM to treat menopausal vasomotor symptoms
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed allopathic and CAM options.
Let’s focus on CAM. Continue reading Review: CAM to treat menopausal vasomotor symptoms
CAM for major depressive therapy
The American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine reviewed the evidence and report their findings.
Here are their findings. Continue reading CAM for major depressive therapy
CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Researchers at Goulds Naturopathica, in Hobart TAS, Australia, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Effect of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in IVF
Infertility affects about 6.1 million people in the United States, about 10% of men and women of reproductive age. New and advanced technologies to help a woman become pregnant include in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Researchers at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago, Illinois, compared the influence of “true” versus “sham” acupuncture on pregnancy rates of women undergoing IVF. Continue reading Effect of acupuncture on pregnancy rates in IVF
Rising risk of infection from acupuncture
In the British Medical Journal, Prof. Patrick Woo from the University of Hong Kong describes what might be “the tip of the iceberg.”
He calls for more rigorous infection control guidelines. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine responds. And success in treating these infections is summarized as part of an update to this original post. Continue reading Rising risk of infection from acupuncture
Review: Acupuncture to control itch in dialysis patients
Uremic pruritus is characterized by continuous scratching, with lesions and superimposed infections. It’s a frustrating, common, and potentially disabling complication in patients treated with kidney dialysis.
Prof. Ernst reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating uremic pruritus in patients with end-stage renal disease. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to control itch in dialysis patients
Using acupuncture to prevent atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (aka A-fib) is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. It involves the 2 upper chambers of the heart.
Researchers at the Universita degli Studi di Milano, in Italy, evaluated whether acupuncture might prevent or reduce the rate of arrhythmia recurrences in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Continue reading Using acupuncture to prevent atrial fibrillation
Reasons for bias in studies of acupuncture
Dr. Jiang Tu at Evergreen Medicine, in Pinole, California, reviewed studies from the United States and China and tells us about differences in the design and implementation that might account for discrepancies in results. Continue reading Reasons for bias in studies of acupuncture
Acupuncture: Does the number of needles matter?
Not according to this study of patients with neck pain, reported by researchers in Italy. Continue reading Acupuncture: Does the number of needles matter?
Review: Acupuncture to treat peripheral joint osteoarthritis
This Cochrane review covers osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hand. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to treat peripheral joint osteoarthritis
Review: Acupuncture in reproductive medicine
Acupuncture has been used as treatment for infertility for hundreds of years.
Researchers at Tor Vergata University, in Rome, Italy, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture in reproductive medicine