To The Point

Summer, 2008 #6

In this issue:

New Acupuncture Studies

Acupuncture Works for Migraines
From the University of Padua, Dr. Enrico Facco and his colleagues conducted a randomized, controlled study with 160 patients who suffered from migraines without aura and found that ONLY the true acupuncture group had steady, significant improvement when compared to the controls.

The study, published in the March, 2008 journal, Headache reports on the study. Dr. Facco divided patients into 4 groups: #1 was treated with true acupuncture and Rizatriptan (standard relief medicine), #2 was treated with ritualized mock acupuncture and Rizatriptan, #3 was treated with standard mock acupuncture and Rizatriptan, and #4 was treated with Rizatriptan only. Patients were questioned at the time of treatment, again at 3 months and at 6 months. All groups showed some improvement between 3-6 months but only #1, the true acupuncture group showed significant, steady improvement when compared to controls. Group #2 did show some placebo affect, a concern that often comes up in research. The effect was transitory.

Acupuncture reduces pain in Head and Neck Cancer patients
HealthDay News reported that 2 of the more common and unpleasant side effects of treatment for head and neck cancer patients may be relieved by acupuncture.

Dr. David Pfister, chief of the head and neck medical oncology service at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City presented the findings May 31, 2008 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, in Chicago.

He reported that patients found significant reductions in both dry mouth and pain and shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection. "Although further studies are needed, this does support the potential role of acupuncture," said Pfister. Removal of the lymph nodes and surrounding tissue is common in treating head and neck cancers and the dissection can be severe. "Side effects vary with the extent of the procedure," Pfister said. Pain and shoulder dysfunction are common but exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs have proved to be disappointing or incomplete.

In the study, 70 patients were randomized to receive weekly acupuncture sessions for four weeks or "usual care" (suggestions for physical therapy exercises and anti-inflammatory pain relievers). Almost 40 % of participants receiving acupuncture experienced improvements in both pain and mobility, compared with just 7 % in the standard-care group. Impressive!

Pain and the Brain
We know that acupuncture alleviates pain. Why is this benefit even more important than previously known?

Researchers at Northwestern University found that in a healthy brain all regions exist in equilibrium. When one region is active, other areas relax. But in people with chronic pain, the front region of the cortex (associated with mood and emotion) “never shuts up,” said Dante Chialvo, professor of physiology at the Feinberg School of Medicine. When this region is stuck on full throttle, the brain wears out neurons and rewires their connections. . Chronic pain has distinctive negative results. Balance in the brain is disturbed, it is harder to make decisions, and it is difficult to be in a good mood – more good reasons for treatment with acupuncture. This brand new work was reported in Northwestern, summer 2008, volume 10, issue 4.

Dr. Nuland’s New Book Promotes Acupuncture

The celebrated writer-physician Sherwin B. Nuland, clinical professor of surgery at Yale, and the author of nine previous books, including a winner of the National Book Award, has a new book, THE UNCERTAIN ART: Thoughts on a Life in Medicine.

It was reviewed in the New York Times on June 6, 2008, where Dr. Nuland is quoted as saying, “Doctors…should be first of all, humanists, intuitionists, appreciative of each patient’s individuality and particular situation, practitioners of a quirky, unpredictable, uncertain art. True healers understand this. They need, “To become comfortable with uncertainty.” And so he leads readers into areas where science provides no explanation. He traveled to China to determine firsthand if acupuncture is an effective technique, witnessed two operations and spoke to the president of the Shanghai Medical University. Dr. Nuland became a believer — even though the procedure “has still not been explained in terms acceptable to most orthodox Western scientists using orthodox Western investigative methods,” he said.

Summer Treat for Heat - Chrysanthemum Tea

Summer is the season of Yang energy and activity. Under the rising temperatures, our bodies are especially prone to accumulated Heat and Dampness. The high metabolic rate causes much perspiration at the expense of Qi (vital energy) and body fluids. Certain foods and drinks can help cool the body and keep the symptoms of summer heat in check.
Cold Chrysanthemum Tea

This is an ideal drink for hot summer days. It helps to prevent sunstroke and clears Heat, benefits Qi, promotes body fluid secretion and is an excellent thirst quencher!

Ingredients:
60 - 80 White Chrysanthemum Flowers
3 teaspoon of Jasmine Green Tea
Rock sugar or honey
4 liters of water

Instructions:
Wash the chrysanthemum.
Put chrysanthemum and tea into a cooking pot.
Pour in 4 liters of water and bring it to boiling.
Reduce heat and continue to cook for 20 minutes.
Put in rock sugar or honey.
Remove pot from the heat and allow it to cool until it reaches room temperature.
Strain the tea and put into refrigerator
Serve the tea chilled and enjoy.
From Acufinder.com

Yoga on the Lake

A great FREE class is held every Tuesday evening at 6:30p.m. And Sunday’s at 11:00 a.m. at Belmont Harbor. Go to yogadave.com for more information

Have a Wonderful and Healthy Summer!

You can contact me by:
Phone: 312-399-5098
E-mail: tcm007@rcn.com
Web site: www.tcm007.com