Acupuncture Continuing Education News

Researchers find acupuncture more effective than the selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil hydrochloride for the treatment of cognitive impairment. Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine determined that a particular method of acupuncture, Xing Nao Kai Qiao (Waking the Brain and Opening the Orifices), is more effective than standard medications in treating vascular cognitive impairment. Results were measured at

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).

Acupuncture alleviates postpartum depression. In a recent study conducted by the Traditional Medicine Hospital of Hainan Province (Haikou), acupuncture was found safe and effective. [1] This study compared standard care (psychological intervention and medication) to standard care paired with acupuncture for 80 women diagnosed with postpartum depression. The standard care control group measured a 67.5% total effective rate, while the group also receiving acupuncture

Acupuncture improves bladder function for spinal cord injury patients. First Affiliated Huai’an People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University researchers find acupuncture combined with intermittent catheterization alleviates neurogenic bladder dysfunction caused by traumatic spinal cord injuries . The study found significant improvements in bladder capacity, residual volume, urinary flow rate, urinary volume, and detrusor pressure following this combined treatment approach. [1]

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]

Acupuncture outperforms diclofenac sodium for the treatment of gout. Yangchun City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared the effectiveness of acupuncture plus a Chinese herbal wash with diclofenac sodium drug therapy for the treatment of acute gout. Diclofenac sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by arthritis. Patients receiving acupuncture plus the Chinese herbal wash

Acupuncture is effective for lumbar disc herniation treatment. A recent study conducted at Xinzheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Henan, China found that a combination of acupuncture and a modified Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang herbal formula relieves pain and improves quality of life for patients with lumbar disc herniation. This study compared treatments of acupuncture and herbal medicine with the anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical celecoxib.

Acupuncture alleviates irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and reduces IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) recurrences. Pu’er People’s Hospital (Yunnan, China) researchers conclude that warm needle acupuncture is clinically effective against type-D (diarrhea predominant) IBS. A six-month follow-up after completion of acupuncture treatments confirms lasting improvements.

Acupuncture boosts clinical pregnancy rates and balances biochemistry in infertility patients with a thin endometrium. First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University researchers combined acupuncture with standard drug therapy. They determined that acupuncture plus estradiol valerate drug therapy produced superior patient outcomes compared with patients using only estradiol valerate. Estradiol valerate is a form of estrogen used to treat hormone imbalances. The estradiol valerate

Acupuncture combined with herbal medicine outperforms an immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of Sjögren syndrome. Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system attacks the lacrimal and salivary glands, causing impaired production of tears and saliva. Researchers (Li et al.) compared the therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus herbs with hydroxychloroquine.