Acupuncture, with a 4500-year record, now is "proven" to be very effective to treat many conditions, from chronic back pain to hemiplagia. Acupuncture is considered safe. Acupuncture is now practiced in many countries around the world. Since Preston reported his personal experience with acupuncture-assisted anesthesia in China 20 years ago, acupuncture has become increasingly popular in the United States. About 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture, according to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey.

What is Acupuncture?

Originating in China about 4500 years ago, acupuncture involves inserting hair-fine stainless needle into patients' skin and soft tissue at specific acupoints along the meridians. The needles are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation. Most patients describe the experience as similar to a mosquito bite, a sense of fullness and relaxing. One treatment session lasts about 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Many patients fall into sleep during the time they are treated.

The Science of Acupuncture: How Does It Work?

The first medical account of acupuncture is 'The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine' which dates from about 3,000 years ago. This book is a summary of the theoretical knowledge and medical experience. It is a foundation text for all TCM. In this book, Acupuncture is introduced as a way to bring body, mind and spirit into balance. It does this by regulating and harmonizing the body's energy flow or "Chi." Chi is the underlying and unifying essence of human being, it is the nourishing force that is fueling the growth and development of our bodies. Chi flows along well-defined pathways called meridians, which are connected to internal organs. There are numerous points along these meridians that can influence this Chi. Illness and pain are associated with an imbalance of Chi, and acupuncture can restore the balance and un-lock the blockage.
Modern science and medicine has not yet completely understood why acupuncture works, though some researches suggest it may regulate the nervous system and brain function by increasing pain-killing endorphins and releasing of neurotransmitters; It also modulate the immune system and promote fat metabolism. Those are the biomedical foundations to support the use of acupuncture in pain control, rehabilitation and weight reduction.

The Art of Acupuncture: How is it done?

Acupuncture is a holistic and personalized approach to the management of disease as well as the maintenance of health. Acupuncture views the body, mind, and spirit as integrated by meridians, a network of energy pathways running through our body.
During Acupuncture treatment patients may feel a warm or tingling sensation as the needles are applied and manipulated. Most patients find their treatments extremely relaxing and refreshing. Some people may fall into a deep restoring sleep while others may experience a sense of mental sharpness.
Depending on why acupuncture is being used, the patient may immediately feel the benefit of the treatment or it may take several sessions. For pain relief, sometimes there may be dramatic improvement in one session, whereas a series of acupuncture treatments are usually required to improve fatigue.

The Evidence of Acupuncture: Does it Work?

Acupuncture is one of the most thoroughly researched of the alternative medical practices. A series of randomized, placebo-controlled trials has validated the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, chronic pain and drug addiction. Studies on acupuncture also have suggested positive results in the areas of management of dry-mouth, neuropathy(numbness).

A four-year randomized, controlled study conducted by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers - published in the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine - found that acupuncture significantly reduces pain and improves function for patients with osteoarthritis.

A recent analysis of one thousand patients from many medical centers published in the popular Journal of Clinical Oncology states that electroacupuncture has demonstrated benefit for chemotherapy-induced acute vomiting.

Indications: Is Acupuncture Good for Me?

Acupuncture, one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world, is now being used to counteract the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, thanks to research validating its effectiveness.
The 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference concluded that acupuncture is effectiveness in controlling chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Actually, more studies indicate that acupuncture can help alleviate a wide range of side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, dry mouth, insomnia, and even to hard-to-treat numbness many patients experience with certain chemotherapies. The most exciting is the recent analysis showing that acupuncture may improve patients' white cells and platelets, so they can continue chemotherapy with fewer interruptions.
Acupuncture can also be combined with other cancer treatment modalities to achieve optimum levels of health and wellness.

In fact, NIH consensus states that acupuncture may be an acceptable treatment, in addition to regular medical treatment, as part of a comprehensive management program for the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis
Stroke rehabilitation
Fibromyalgia
Myofascial pain
Lower back pain
Asthma
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Menstrual cramps
Headache

Are There any Side Effects?

One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the absence of adverse side effects. As I mentioned above, it may cause the feeling like a mosquito bite, but it should not cause bleedings or infections if used properly by an experienced and licensed practitioner.

Other Things to Consider

Before cancer patients consider acupuncture, they're advised to first discuss the subject with their physician. Choosing a competent acupuncturist who is licensed and credentialed is also very important. Acupuncture is one of the complementary medical treatments most likely covered by your health insurance.

For more information on acupuncture or any other related services, please call Dr. Paul Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., at 318 619 7707, Hematology Oncology Life Center.