Newsletter

I received an interesting e-mail today from a place calling themselves "the International Institute of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture." The headlines were:
1 - Eliminate a headache in 15 seconds
2 - An alternative to the Acupuncture needles
3 - Special tuition offered by our International Institute
4 - General notes

I did a quick browse and skimed the headache article, read the theory that underwire bras are pressing on the YangMing merdian which "accumulates energy in the breast, and becomes, with time, a stagnation and accumulation of the energy CHI. This could very well be an important cause of Breast-Cancer." Then there were several "teasers" on subjects including obesity, infertility and a piece on magnetic, needle free acupuncture. Nothing much came up a Google search of the founder of these methods, Prof. Jin Ke Yu.

You have to become a member of their organization before you are allowed to sign up for their classes. Included in the membership is a newsletter and, well, a newsletter with all kinds of "exclusive" information. No indication on class delivery method, but the company is based in Beijing. See what you think.

http://www.magneticacupuncture.com/Newsletter.htm

Runner's World

While I do not identify myself as a runner, I have managed to put away a few small races and even a mini-marathon. Needless to say, I have had my share of knee pain and ankle twists. When I sprained my ankle several years ago in a canyon, I had it lanced and cupped and within two days it was like it never happened. I have also seen my share of plantar faciitis in practice and have to admit I always feel like a bully when I administer treatment - having needles placed in your heel no matter how thin they are is uncomfortable. While most of us see patients at the chronic stage of the disease, it is a joy to be able to treat at the onset of injury. For athletes, this is especially true as it gets them back in training all the faster.

Can Acupuncture Heel an Injury?

When one of our staff members developed plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the layer of tissue that supports the arch of the foot), she sought treatment from a podiatrist and physical therapist, and iced, rested, and stretched the area. Despite her efforts, the pain continued. So she decided it was time for an alternative therapy-acupuncture.

She went to four sessions with neurologist, certified acupuncturist, and runner Robert Roeshman, M.D., of Allentown, Pennsylvania. During each appointment, Dr. Roeshman inserted 15 to 30 thin, pliable needles into her calves and feet. She felt some initial discomfort, but as she grew more comfortable with the process, the pain subsided. He next attached an electrical-stimulation device to a few of the needles. After 30 minutes, he detached the machine, removed the needles, and voil?Our runner felt better-much better.

"After the second session, I went running, and there was absolutely no pain in my heel." There are constant electrical charges flowing through the body, says Dr. Roeshman. The needles are placed in acupuncture points where there is decreased electrical activity. By generating an electric flow between these points, the brain is stimulated to release endorphins and trigger the immune system to help injuries heal. If done when an injury is "fresh," acupuncture can significantly reduce recovery time, he says. "An ankle sprain that would normally take seven to 14 days to heal could be better in one to three days."

Pretty Inside, Pretty Outside

salesmanship has never been my strong point which is why facial acupuncture can be such a great marketing tool. People may shout "placebo" when a friend tells them their depression/pain/allergies are better with acupuncture, but they can't dismiss the effects when they see the results for themselves. Just one treatment can bring back a healthy, youthful glow, diminish a few of the deeper face lines, and provide a noticeable lift. Not only do you get a "qi lift," but you also get an acupuncture treatment that works on the constitutional level. Take that, spa facial!

Facial Acupuncture Said To Help Aging Process

Seema MathurReporting

(CBS 42) AUSTIN

Wrinkles and loose skin are a part of aging for most. But, can some well placed needles slow that aging process?

Experts say acupuncture has been around for about 5,000 years. While it's most known for promoting general health, practitioners will tell you its beauty secrets are an added benefit.

Christina Lacour, 38, began noticing signs of aging about two years ago.“I'm seeing lines around my forehead,” Lacour said. Lacour says plastic surgery or filler injections are not for her. So, instead she's going for a more natural approach--acupuncture.

First, needles are put in specific points in the feet called meridian points. These represent certain organs.“Sagging and droopy eyelids are often caused by weak digestive system,” acupuncturist Masako Wado said.

Once a good flow of energy or chi is circulating around the body, hair-thin needles are placed on the scalp and neck to lift the skin.Smaller needles are put in fine wrinkle lines. The trauma is suppose to cause collagen production and create a smoother appearance.“It gives the firm look and it brings more glow on the skin,” Wado said.

About an hour later, Lacour likes what she sees in the mirror.“The well being of that person will reflect on the skin,” Wado said.

Acupuncturists say it takes about 10 treatments for best results. But one treatment has made a believer out of Lacour.

Acupuncturists say, with booster treatments, results can last for a few years. There can be bruising and you want to make sure you are going to a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. The prices ranges from $150 to $200.

New Pennsylvania Law

When I was practicing in Texas, we had a similar law that required a patient has been referred to an acupuncturist. One of the sneaky ways that I was told by the local board to get around this was to have a separate form where the patient gave the name and address of their PHP, verified they had seen an MD for the condition, and was referred by the physician to get acupuncture. Since most patients see acupuncturists after they exhaust all other possibilities, it was never a problem. Last time I checked, neither acupuncture, chiropractor, or naturopathy were extensively covered in med school, yet we had to be given "permission" while chiropractors and naturopaths were allowed to practice unencumbered. At least in Pennsylvania, the scales are beginning to balance.

PA Law Change Makes Alternative Medicine Easier to Obtain
Pennsylvania - Senate Bill 1235, eliminates the requirement for patients to obtain both a written referral and their last physical exam results to keep on file with their acupuncturist to take effect on January 28, 2007

January 24, 2007 - Backed by both Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate, "[S.B.1235] takes away a tremendous burden to our patients, who often waited weeks to procure a referral while their ailments were left untreated," Steven Mavros, Licensed Acupuncturist and representative of the Association for Professional Acupuncture stated.

Since a patient cannot be denied access to their own medical records [HIPAA], this means that the power to choose acupuncture as a complimentary therapy is now in the hands of the patient.

The original 1986 bill required acupuncturists to obtain physician referrals before providing treatment. Now, patients can come in for same day treatment with no paperwork in hand. Treatment may take place for up to 60 days without any diagnosis or referral.Governor Edward Rendell signed S.B.1235 into law on November 30, 2006.

Feel Good Acupuncture, located at 301 Montour Boulevard in Bloomsburg provides acupuncture and herbal services. "It will be a pleasure to be able to take patients for same-day visits. It's very frustrating to turn away a patient that is in pain, because they did not know that they needed to have a referral prior to treatment."

Points for Plants

Wow - better botany through acupuncture - who would have thought?

Researcher patents use of acupuncture on plants

LONG-TERM PROJECT: Hsiao Gui-wen spent eight years drawing up a comprehensive map of plant acupuncture points and another seven years perfecting the treatment By Chung Li-hua
STAFF REPORTERS Sunday, Jan 07, 2007, Page 2

Can acupuncture be used on plants?

After experimenting for 15 years, Hsiao Gui-wen (蕭貴文), a researcher of Chinese medicine, has uncovered the acupuncture points on plants.

When applied to fruit-bearing plants such as peach and apple trees, acupuncture not only advanced the harvest time by a month and a half, but also decreased damage by blight.

The technique has been patented, and many interested businesses now are in negotiation for the rights to use the technology.

Hsiao originally ran a chiropractic clinic in Yonghe. After he witnessed ginger lilies change color upon absorbing dyes, he toyed with the idea that plants may have acupuncture points like humans.

Read More

New Year, New Face . . . Sort of

In Louisville, there are at least two new plastic surgery offices opening near my practice in addition to the several "botox beauty boutiques" that promise to smooth out any flaw you can think of with laser, syringe, or scalpel. Acupuncture facials can be a hard sell - people who are considering botox or face lifts are probably not going to embrace acupuncture because the results are too slow. The occasional Hollywood personality testimonial may bring some of these people in, but the majority are going to be existing clients or those who would not try anything more invasive than Oil of Olay. Here is some help in bringing that awareness.

Put a New Face on the New Year
Written by Staff
Friday, 05 January 2007

Okay, that may be a bit extreme, but with all of the natural and less invasion alternatives to plastic surgery now offered inn the Denver area, it might not be as impossible as it sounds. If you’ve been looking for a way to rejuvenate and start the year with confidence, you may be ready for an overall overhaul. There are ways to get the fresh glowing skin you are seeking without spending exorbitant amounts of money or committing to invasive plastic surgery. An easy first step is a consultation with a dermatologist and/or an acupuncturist.

Cosmetic acupuncture has been around for centuries. In the early Chinese dynasties, treatments were reserved for the wealthy, though luckily today it is available for common folks like us, and both men and women alike. Cosmetic acupuncture can eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and diminishes deeper lines. Sagging skin lifts and develops a healthy glow. rhytids (lines between the eyes) can completely disappear. Puffy eyes and sagging lids improve noticeably. Rosacea has diminished in most patients and acne becomes less of a problem. Women report that makeup slides on smoothly and less moisturizer is needed. Men have reported noticeable differences in “smile lines” and sagging jowels. Men also love the treatment because it is subtle and gradual.

Read More

Acupuncture on Children

Just from my brief time during clinicals at Kosair Children's Hospital, I had the chance to see children undergo nurmerous types of therapies. By and large, they adapt well even if it does involve needles. I know men in their 50's who refuse to take their own blood sugerbecause they are afraid of the "stick" while a 7-year old will say "look what I can do" and lancet their fingers without a problem. It is not a far reach to believe that kids could embrace acupuncture . . . especially if it means less "yucky medicine."

Dec 26, 2006 3:32 pm US/Eastern
Using Acupuncture To Help Children Heal
Dr. Mallika Marshall Reporting
(CBS4) BOSTON

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healing. Now local doctors are using it to help treat children.

Sandra Kean suffers from migraines as well as severe abdominal pain as a result of a condition called ulcerative colitis. In addition to having surgery, she comes to Children's Hospital Boston for regular acupuncture treatments to help relieve her pain. "I would be doubled over, uncomfortable and crying, and then after I went to acupuncture, I was more relaxed and calm and the side effects were basically gone."

"After a week or two, we weren't getting any more complaining about her abdominal pain or her back pain," said Sandra's mother Roseanne.

Children's started offering patients acupuncture as a complementary therapy in 2000.

"Lots of kids will be saying to us, 'I don't want needles,' however; after careful explanation and demonstration, kids to very well with acupuncture," said Dr. Yuan-Chi Lin of Children's Hospital Boston.

Doctors have used acupuncture to help hundreds of patients, ranging from teenagers like Sandra to the tiniest of babies."I have done acupuncture for premature infants to decrease their anxiety when they are in the intensive care unit," said Dr. Lin.

Dr. Lin has conducted studies which have shown that children who suffered from headaches, stomach aches and other chronic pain, felt less pain, missed less school and were able to sleep better after receiving acupuncture treatments for a year.

BUSTED!

Having seen more than a few examples of insurance fraud in the hospital (some doctors bribe patients with free samples of medications and then don't see them, but bill for an office visit!), it is gratifying to see people get busted. I am all for lower health care costs, and this kind of behavior is one of the major elements that keep driving it up. It is disappointing to think that an acupuncturist would be engaged in this kind fraud, but if they are guilty, then I hope the government will be able to recap its losses.

2 acupuncturists charged with fraud
3:52 PM December 20, 2006
Star report

Two Carmel residents have been charged with health care fraud, U.S. Attorney Susan W. Brooks announced today.

Wei Chen Yang, 44, and Horng Shao, 40, were charged following an investigation by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Court filings allege that Yang and Shao ran the Yang Health Center in Carmel, and provided primarily acupuncture services to control pain and for other purposes. Few health care insurers cover acupuncture treatments.

Brooks said the pair fraudulently billed Medicare, the federal health care program for the elderly, and private insurers, such as Anthem and United Health Care, approximately $187,000 for the acupuncture services as chiropractic services that were covered by the insurers when they knew that acupuncture services were not covered or paid for by the insurers.

Yang and Shao, who could not be reached for comment, face a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum possible fine of $250,000. An initial hearing will be scheduled before a U.S. magistrate in Indianapolis.

Copyright 2006 IndyStar.com. All rights reserved

Care can be pricey

The other day, one of my patients commented to me, "acupuncture is covered in Canada, it stinks that we don't get that." Cost often keeps people away - I have received several "Thanks, bye" from potential patients inquiring about fees. While some insurance, health savings, and flex-spending plans help defray the cost, acupuncturists are largely cash and carry.

Monday, 12/18/06

Integrated care more mainstream, but many patients still foot the bill
By JOY BUCHANAN Staff Writer

Just because people like integrated medical care, that doesn't mean insurance will cover it. Most people using complementary therapies pay out of their own pockets, and prices vary widely.

"My patients are consistently frustrated that the things they do with me are not covered by insurance," said Dr. Stephen Reisman, owner of Mind-Body Medical Center in Nashville. He does not accept insurance because reimbursements are unreliable and paperwork is costly, he says. "We cannot possibly do that and stay in business. The unfortunate thing about my practice is that it's not always accessible to people with lower incomes. They can't afford to pay out of pocket." A new patient visit with Reisman lasts an hour and costs $225. Follow-up visits are $145.

Dr. Dainia Baugh of the Nima Holistic Wellness Center said insurance is integrative medicine's biggest challenge. "Insurance companies may cover a visit if the doctor's plan for the patient is traditional, but if it doesn't follow strict insurance guidelines, then they may not pay for the visit," she said. "It's one of those things they are not willing to do."

Mohit Ghose, spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, an industry group, said that is not entirely true. "There is widespread coverage for different therapies," he said. "We can cover anything you want us to cover provided there is medical evidence to back it up."

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/FEATURES04/612180372

Complementary medicines are useless . . .

and dangerous, says Britain's foremost expert
By BARBARA ROWLANDS Last updated at 08:53am on 12th December 2006

at least acupuncture isn't dismissed . . . totally.

A lot of complementary medicine is ineffective, and some positively dangerous. Meanwhile, alternative treatments that promise to cure cancer 'are downright irresponsible, if not criminal'.

These are the views not of an old-school doctor dismissive of alternative therapies, but of Professor Edzard Ernst, Britain's first professor of complementary medicine and, you would have assumed, its greatest champion.

Acupuncture gets the thumbs up. It's good for pain, particularly back pain, though it has nothing to do with mysterious energy flows, as many therapists claim. 'Acupuncture works in a physical way: it's nothing to do with yin and yang,' he says.

Herbal medicines - though not all of them - also pass muster because their success in treating a number of specific conditions has been demonstrated.

But most therapies don't come up to scientific scratch. In a series of articles for the trade publication Independent Nurse, reprinted on the publishers' website healthcarerepublic.com, he gives most the thumbs down.

Practitioners accuse Professor Ernst of trying to shoehorn therapies which are individually tailored to the patient into the straitjacket of a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial - the gold standard for conventional medicine.

In such a trial, a drug and a placebo pill are distributed at random to selected patients. Neither patient nor scientist knows who gets what. The code is broken only at the end and the results analysed.

Practitioners question how a treatment such as homeopathy or acupuncture, which treats the 'whole' person not just the symptom, can be subjected to such a study.

Ernst concedes that the 'bog-standard' randomised clinical trial is sometimes not completely suited to a number of treatments, but says he and his team work hard to find new ways of testing different therapies.

There are ways of doing clinical trials,' he says, 'where you can have the full spectrum of individu-alisation, holism and so on. You need to think a bit more - it's a challenge.'



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=422017&in_page_id=1774&in_a_source=

My Patient Speech

One of the frustrating things about "selling" acupuncture to clients is that it does not work as quickly as taking a Lortab - you have to be patient and diligent in the treatment to see long lasting results. The good (and bad) news in complementary medicine is that people typically come to us as a last resort and willing to do almost anything for relief. Back pain is always in the top 3 of reasons why people come to see me. The inevitable question "how long until I see results" typically arises during the initial phone conversation, and it would seem that my "speech" mimics that of the one below.

Thursday, December 7, 2006
Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture treats low back pain

Low back pain is one of the most common health complaints in the country today, and acupuncture can be a very effective method of treatment. Typically, several acupuncture treatments are required to get rid of the problem, depending upon the length of time the problem has persisted, its severity, patient age and any complicating factors.

In Chinese medicine, pain is the result of a blockage to the flow of energy or blood. Once the normal flow of energy and blood is re-established with acupuncture, pain disappears. A trained acupuncturist has a variety of methods and tools to use to achieve this goal.

In the case of low back pain typically the acupuncturist first identifies the specific blocked acupuncture channels. Acupuncture is commonly applied to the site of the pain and at sites away from the pain that lie along the same channel. The needles usually are retained in the body for 20-30 minutes, after which they are removed and disposed of.

Frequently, relief is experienced right away, though any degree of results can be felt at that time. After a course of several visits, usually four to six if the case is uncomplicated, the problem is frequently resolved or diminished to the extent that acupuncture is no longer needed. When the problem is chronic and has persisted for months or years, it may take longer to resolve.

Before treatment, make sure the acupuncturist is licensed and experienced with your condition.
--Andrew McIntyre, Bastyr Center for Natural Health

Acupuncture Point Standardization

From a scholastic standpoint, it means there will be less controversy over point location questions on the national exams, especially with non-TCM trained acupuncturists. From a research perspective, standardizing conflicting acupuncture point location was essential to decrease the amount of limitations in a study. From a practitioner standpoint, I just hope the CEU class I will doubtless be required to take will be someplace tropical.

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006
WHO CONFAB FINDS AGREEMENT
Acupuncture point standard nailed down
By YUKIKO MAEDA
Kyodo News

Acupuncturists from Japan, China and South Korea ironed out long-standing differences over the precise location of acu-points during a recent conference held under the auspices of the World Health Organization.

With the successful results of the conference on the international standardization of acu-points -- or "tsubo" as they are known in Japan -- the practitioners hope that acupuncture and moxibustion will become more popular in the United States and Europe.

Acupuncture is believed to have originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. It was introduced to Japan via the Korean Peninsula during the sixth century.

There are 361 acu-points in the human body. In 1989, the WHO standardized their international names.

But there was no agreement concerning their precise location until participants reached an agreement at the WHO conference held in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2.

While Japan, China and South Korea each boast a long history of administering acupuncture and moxibustion, the location of 92 acu-points differed slightly among the three countries.

Read More

Everyone is a acupuncturist

I hope none of our politicians are getting any ideas from this . . .

Angry Chinese acupuncturists declare war over bill
Updated Thu. Nov. 23 2006 7:23 PM ET
Canadian Press

TORONTO -- Furious Chinese acupuncturists are threatening to mobilize half-a-million people against Ontario's Liberal government over legislation making their profession self-regulating.

The bill, which passed unanimously on Thursday, entrenches "quackery'' and puts the public at risk, critics said.

"Bill 50 discriminates against the Chinese medicine profession and against the Chinese community and is a second head tax,'' said Stephen Liu, co-chairman of the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.

"We will fight to the last.''

The reference to the hated tax once imposed on Chinese immigrants indicates the depth of anger over the legislation among many of Ontario's 3,000 practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

Critics say they find it offensive that the law allows other groups of health professionals -- such as physiotherapists, massage therapists or chiropractors -- to continue using acupuncture under standards set by their own regulating bodies.

Liu said Chinese acupuncturists opposed to the legislation will call on their patients, their families, friends, relatives and members of their churches -- 500,000 people in all -- to fight the Liberal party in next year's provincial election.

Dr. Stanley Shyu, a Chinese-trained doctor of traditional medicine who has practised in Canada for 32 years, said it's ludicrous to allow others to perform acupuncture without rigorous training.
Doing so waters down a profession that can cure a wide range of ailments when done by properly trained experts, but harms patients when done improperly, he said.

"You don't let laymen stick needles in people and call it acupuncture,'' Shyu said.

"That's called needling.''

Health Minister George Smitherman, who introduced the bill almost a year ago, acknowledged divisions over the legislation.

However, he said there was no reason to stop other medical professionals from performing acupuncture.

"Each of those colleges will be looking to work together in terms of making sure that there is a consensus that the standard is consistent and appropriate,'' Smitherman said.

Proponents say the college that will regulate the profession when it's up and running, likely in about two years, will set high standards, protect the public, and enhance the overall credibility of the profession.

Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia along with close to 50 American states already regulate Chinese medicine.

Critics also railed against the legislation because practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine would no longer be able to prescribe and dispense herbal formulas and compounds.

Naturopaths could get the exclusive right to do so, even though they might have less training.

"Where is the fairness in this?'' said Marylou Lombardi, president of the Ontario Association of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Opposition Leader John Tory said he supported the legislation because it at least imposes a regulatory framework.

"We're hopeful that as the college is set up that some of the issues that have not been adequately addressed might be addressed at that time,'' Tory said.

Basketball and Acupuncture

For all you sports fans . . .

Pacers' Harrington says he's healed

By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com

Indiana Pacers forward Al Harrington pronounced himself ready for tonight's game with Milwaukee, thanks to an acupuncture treatment.

Harrington, the Pacers' leading scorer (19.2) had missed Saturday's victory at Milwaukee and Monday's practice with back spasms.

Harrington had described himself as 70 percent recovered on Monday, but upgraded himself following Tuesday morning's practice at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"I'm 100 (percent) now," he said. "I'm ready to go."

Pacers' center David Harrison said an MRI on his left shoulder Monday revealed no serious injury.

"Nothing's torn," he said. "They're saying I'll be back pretty soon."

Not relevant, but . . .

My fiance and I started a blog about the fun and frustrations of getting married. If you want a laugh, check it out at:

http://gettingmarried.wordpress.com/

What part of the tiger is in tiger balm?

None. (Of course)

I remember the contorversy over killing animals for their horns or their bile when I was in school. I don't remember ever coming across any of it. In fact, in our herbal pharmacy, the only animal specimes we would bag up and boil were things like cicada molting (Chan Tui), dried worms (Di Long), and my personal favorite, flying squril feces (Wu Ling Zhi). Yum yum.

Wile we are an ocean away from this scandle, it is probably only a matter of time before the next question out a patrients mouth after "what do you do with your needles?" will be, "is there any trafficed endangered specias in this formula?."

Chinese medicine interest threatens rare species
By Matthew Jones Fri Nov 17, 12:35 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Britons are embracing traditional Chinese medicine and unwittingly fuelling a $10 billion illegal trade in the world's most endangered species, police said.

The market in London for products made from tiger bone, rhino horn and bear bile has grown to such an extent that a special police taskforce is trying to stamp it out.

"We cannot expect the international trade to stop while it continues here in London," Janet Williams, London's deputy assistant police commissioner, told a news conference on Friday.

Rare breeds have been decimated, not just because of demand from China but also Westerners wanting alternative treatments.

Since 1970, about 98 percent of the world's black rhino have been killed for their horns -- largely to supply the Chinese medicine trade. And fewer than 5,000 tigers are estimated to be left in the wild, compared with 100,000 in 1990.

The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Charm in 1995 to tackle the trade, and since then have seized over 30,000 endangered species items, most destined for Chinese medicine.

But it is an uphill battle.

Read more

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

I remember Dr. Huo, one of my TCM instructors, telling me that when his son was sick he reached for antibiotics because it was to hard to force a cranky, ill child to drink cherry-flavored cough syrup let alone an herbal decoction. I also remember Dr. Zhong taking 45 minutes to describe the ingredients and uses of a particular herbal formula by describing the plot of a popular Chinese opera complete with periodic singing. Dr. Hou was all for intergrating into Western society and owned all of the latest technologies while Dr. Zhong intended to return to his home village and still spoke of "Great Leader Chairmen Mao" as though he would walk in the room any moment.

I always enjoyed speaking to my various instructors about what China was like, what they thought about America, and how things have changed since moving here. Some wanted to chase the American dream, others found out that what they had in China was what they wanted all along.

I find it interesting that decades after Mao snubbed all things western (publicly, not personally of course) and encouraged the use of TCM, many in the Chinese medical and scientific community are rejecting their heritage and doubting its effectiveness. TCM had been used successfully in hospitals in China for generations alongside western therapies but now they are suspect and "untrustworthy." Once again, even if it worked, you can't believe it worked without someone independently verifying it worked.

But then, Phizer doesn't finance large studies to investigate the effectiveness of Yin Qiao.


Chinese turning away from traditional remedies
Monday November 13, 2006
From the nzherald

BEIJING - In the West, demand for traditional Chinese medicine just goes on growing, however it's the Chinese who are taking a great big acupuncture needle and trying to prick this bubble.

More and more of them are rejecting their ancient remedies in favour of Western medicine. A proposal to remove from the Chinese health care system traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has divided public opinion and outraged the Government which backs its use.

The controversy was sparked by an online petition proposing that only Western-style healthcare be available in China's hospitals. Behind it is Professor Zhang Gongyao, who describes TCM, practised in China for 4000 years, as "untrustworthy" and "pseudo-science".

At stake is an industry last year worth £5.2 billion ($15 billion).

Schizophrenia, or Phlegm Misting the Heart Orifice?

As both a nurse and an acupuncturist, I specialize in the treatment of people with mental health conditions. I have always been fascinated by the western medical pathologies and the colorful descriptions of the TCM diagnosis. Unfortunately, most people know very little about what an Axis One or Axis Two disorder really means and there is a huge stigma on those who have psychiatric disorders. Just the other day I was relating a story about a patient and was asked "well if they know they are crazy, why can't they just stop being crazy?" I responded with, "if you know you have cancer, can you just stop having cancer?"

The treatment of mental illnesses must be holistic to be successful. Gone are the days of the asylum where nurses and doctors routinely kept patients drugged or threw them in quiet rooms in four point restraints for hours on end. In a hospital setting today, patients are provided with a therapist social worker to talk to, group processing therapy, art and activity therapy, and dietary education in addition to medication. In some settings, yoga and guided imagery sessions are available as well. There are outside groups such as depression anonymous, caregiver support, and codependency. So where does acupuncture fit into the picture?

I am, as always, an integrationist. In someone who as severe bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, western medication is nearly always in order. As one of my Chinese professors said "all window of sky points are on or near neck - when patient has crazy, they not let you put needles there." Certainly for these cases, acupuncture can be utilized as an adjunct, especially to combat some of there more unpleasant side effects like weight gain. By contrast, those with Axis Two/personality disorders, require cognitive behavioral therapy more then medication. When receptive, this population reacts most beneficially to complementary therapies.

In my practice, I see many people with anxiety and depression. In many cases, the anxiety and depression are a symptom of a root pathology, such as chronic pain, and not the primary imbalance. Some are on western medication and others want a "natural" approach. In western medicine, if you have depression or Bipolar Disorder, more than likely you will be given an SSRI of some sort and possibly and anti anxiety medication. In Chinese Medicine, you may be given herbs to reconnect heart and kidney Qi, tonify spleen Qi and heart blood, or subdue liver fire. There is no standard treatment because there is no diagnosis that can be made independent of the individual. And there come the difficulty in "proving" the effectiveness of acupuncture for mental health disorders in a research setting . . . again.

Challenges in Determining Effectiveness of Acupuncture
Western research models may be inappropriate for verifying traditional Chinese medicine treatment for depression.
By Simon Miller, Epoch Times U.K. Staff

Depression and anxiety are seen, from a TCM perspective, as both emotional/psychological and physiological in nature, resulting from imbalanced energy effecting physical and mental health. Acupuncture claims to be effective in preventing and relieving various health problems through the correction of imbalanced energy. It is a holistic approach that, it is claimed, gives patients a more optimistic assessment of their problems and has few side effects.

There are a number of conceptual problems with carrying out acupuncture research. Staebler et el (1994) describes how conventional medical research looks for a "constellation of symptoms" and tries to apply one diagnostic label and one standard treatment. Acupuncture, however, is based on the whole-person approach. It takes into consideration the constitution of the person as well as the present disposition, by paying attention to the continuously changing equilibrium of life energy due to external and internal factors such as trauma, diet, climate and social conditions.

In daily practice, an acupuncturist would design treatment according to the specific needs of the individual patient. Attempts are made to establish the causative factors, and every case of depression and anxiety has some variation requiring different strength and location of needling. This presents another challenge in experimental research: test-retest reliability can be problematic as different therapists use slightly different techniques that vary according to the idiosyncratic nature of the individual's condition.

There are further problems for researchers. The use of one diagnostic label and one standard treatment would seem to be inappropriate in most cases of depression and anxiety. There are issues to be addressed of whether conditions are assessed according to Western diagnosis or TCM diagnosis, and which model is used to measure outcomes. The researcher could use conventional Western medical indices or incorporate TCM specific measures such as pulse and tongue diagnosis.

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Para Local Media

Even though it is a few hours away, the more professional exposure acupuncturists can garner in the local media, the better for the region in general. I must admit though, I like to take a peek into other people's practices and see not only how they do business, but also how they answer questions like "what exactly do the needles do?" or "how does acupuncture work?" Personally, the more ways of answereing the same questions I have in my memory the better. Not only does that let you tailor patient education accordingly, but it keeps you from getting tired of listening to your own speeches!

A Pinpoint Cure Acupuncture offers area residents an ancient alternative to modern meds
By ALYSSA HARVEY, The Daily News
Monday, October 30, 2006 11:20 AM CST

A little more than three years ago, David Mefford felt physically ill.

“I had lots of problems,” the Bowling Green man said. “I never felt well.”Then he heard about Dr. Barbara Mikicki and her husband, licensed acupuncturist Mick Mikicki, who practice the ancient Chinese procedure that places fine needles in specific parts of the body to treat certain health problems. They're part of the Center for Integrative Medicine Acupuncture and Natural Health in Clarksville, with branches in Paducah and now Bowling Green.

“I started seeing her because she helped my sister with back pain,” he said. “After a couple of treatments, I felt better than I have in 40 years. I see her once a month to help keep my system functioning.

He urged J.V. Case of Bowling Green to try acupuncture 2 1/2 years ago.

“I have deteriorated nerves in my legs and feet,” Case said. “I go once a month.”

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Top 12 Conditions

I received this information as a part of a Continuing Education opportunity which was a poor disguise for a product promotion, but the list is valid, nonetheless.

The Top 12 Conditions Patients Seek Acupuncture For

1. Orthopedics/Pain Management

2. Facial Rejuvenation/Anti-Aging

3. Fibromyalgia

4. Peripheral Neuropathy

5. Respiratory disorders

6. Hypertension

7. Headache

8. Depression

9. Chronic Fatigue

10. Digestive Disorders

11. Constipation

12. Gall Stones/Kidney Stones