Ancient Healing for Modern Concerns

 

Research

 

One of my teachers referred to the practice of acupuncture as "the longest standing reasearch around" given its 3,000+ year history.  While validated by its rich and extensive history, acupuncture's effectiveness is also supported by modern research conducted by leading scientists, hospitals, and medical research facilities from all over the world. Today, acupuncture is receiving wide acceptance as a respected, valid and effective form of health care.  According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 51% of medical doctors understand the efficacy and value of acupuncture, and medical doctors refer patients to acupuncturists more than any other alternative care provider.1 

 

Recent studies such as one published in September 2012 in the Archives of Internal Medicine provide evidence that the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain is more than just a placebo effect.2

 

The British Medical Journal in 2008 reported that acupuncture can increase the success rate of in-vitro fertilization and increase the number of viable pregnancies. The additional benefits were listed as reduction in nausea and muscle pain associated with both IVF and pregnancy in general without the use of drugs that might harm the growing fetus.3  Another fertility study can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21611904. 


A 2007 study from the University of Heidelberg in Germany concluded that acupuncture treatments can not only relieve the pain associated with bronchial asthma but also help to control outbreaks of allergic asthma as well. It became clearly evident that "acupuncture performed in accordance with the principles of traditional Chinese medicine showed significant immune-modulating effects." 4

 
To explore other areas of research, visit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/acupuncture.html
 
Resources:
  1. "A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians", Astin, JA., et. al., Arch Intern Med., 1998; (158).
  2. "Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis", Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Maschino AC, et al., Arch Intern Med., September 10, 2012.
  3. "Effects of Acupuncture of Pregnancy and Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", British Medical Journal, 2008: 336: 545, published February 7, 2008.
  4. "Immunomodulatory Effects of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Allergic Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Study", The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol 6, Issue 6, 2007.