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Proverbs 15:30
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."

There has been more scientific research done on acupuncture than any other "complimentary" medical therapy.  Years ago, Dr. William Osler, the father of modern medicine in  America, recommended acupuncture as the treatment of choice for lumbago (back pain).  But not until President Nixon's 1972 visit to China did intense acupuncture research get sparked.

In a 1992 study, Cole tabulated the conditions of study in 365 Western and 344 Chinese research studies1.  These investigated treatments of conditions range from 22- pain, 62- neuralgic disorders, to 54- addiction therapies.  Double blind procedures have proven the validity of acupuncture2.

Clinical research has demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating many disorders.  For example; arthritis3, dysmenorrhea4, and headache5.

A 1986 single-blind trial, studied the effects of acupuncture on patients with angina pectoris (chest pain) unresponsive to standard medical treatment6. 
Research found that in addition to relieving chest pain, "compared to patients receiving sham acupuncture, the patients receiving acupuncture increased cardiac work capacity significantly."

In April 1996, the FDA7 lifted the "investigational use" status of acupuncture needles based upon a review of research.  A 12 member consensus panel for the National Institutes of Health (NIH8) met in November of 1997.  They concluded that the existing research already shows the effectiveness of acupuncture in certain conditions, while more research is needed.  They mentioned that thirty-four states license or otherwise regulate the practice of acupuncture by non medical doctors (Michigan still does not).

John Reed MD, wrote "The documentation of positive results in diverse conditions, including the medically difficult areas of chronic pain management and management of drug addiction, suggests that acupuncture is a real and potentially cost effective intervention9." 

The advent of sophisticated research equipment has made possible the discovery of the mechanisms of acupuncture.  We have found the acupuncture points have distinct anatomical10,11 and electrical characteristics12.  The body produces natural responses to being pierced by a foreign object13,14 .  Because of these characteristics, acupuncture can enhance and regulate the body's natural responses which include pain relief, stimulation of the immune system, and healing15,16.

The effects of acupuncture are delivered by:

1) neurological, 2) biochemical, 3) bioelectrical mechanisms.  In 1989 Deke Kendall organized mountains of research to describe in detail the neurological and biochemical mechanisms of acupuncture.14

1)Neurological- The A-delta and C fibers carry signals into the spinal cord and upward to the brain.  The importance of the fibers in addition to mediating acupuncture are the connections to the internal organs through the dorsal horns of the spinal cord14,17,18

2)Biochemical- Many bioactive substances including bradykinin, histamine and leukotrine are important for initiating responses at the acupuncture points.  Then seratonin, enkephalin, endorphins and substance P are important for mediating the central nervous system effects of acupuncture. 14,19,20

3)Bioelectrical- Electric energy, naturally occurring in the body, has been found to stimulate regeneration and healing21,22.  The limbs of frogs and rats were regenerated and resistant bone fractures were healed in humans by electric treatment21,22,23.  Ions of radioactive isotopes, injected into acupuncture points, migrate along meridians24,25.

The bioelectrical mechanisms of acupuncture include:

  1. Stimulation of electric currents at the site of the needled acupuncture point26.
  2. Electric conduction along meridians and other biologically closed electric circuits27,28.
  3. Electric conduction along the perineurium (the covering around the nerve) which also influences the firing of the nerve28,29.

The complexity of the action of acupuncture is deceiving.  It has been used effectively for centuries in the East.  Acupuncture is a safe therapy which utilizes the body's natural healing systems.  In this era of high tech medicine, acupuncture would have been one of the greatest discoveries - if it hadn't been developed centuries ago.  The more we study, we find the evidence demonstrates we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139:1430.

Dr. David L. Krofcheck, OMD,CA

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

TREATMENT POLICY – 02

Subject: AcupunctureEffective Date: May, 1994

Purpose:

To establish the standards for the use of acupuncture when it is used as adjunct therapy in substance abuse treatment.

Background

In 1972, the use of auricular acupuncture for acute drug withdrawal was developed in Hong Kong. Shortly thereafter, Michael Smith, MD, a psychiatrist at Lincoln Hospital in the south Bronx, New York City, started using it extensively. Dr. Smith developed a five point auricular protocol, which has been adopted by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association. The following ear points are used in the protocol: liver, kidney, lung, sympathetic nervous system, and shen men (spirit gate). Stimulation of these ear points reduces stress and anxiety, which allows the patient to be more receptive to counseling. It also lessens depression and insomnia. It alleviates the craving for substances, thus aiding in recovery.

Auricular acupuncture offers a low cost way to enhance outcomes and lower the total cost of substance abuse treatment. It has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol, heroin, and crack cocaine, making patients more receptive to treatment, reducing or eliminating the need for methadone, and lessening the chances of relapse. Auricular acupuncture has been used successfully in treating pregnant substance abusing women and drug exposed infants who are going through withdrawal. Over 250 auricular acupuncture programs, including 150 in the United States, are presently using this protocol.

Non-auricular acupuncture points can also be used as part of an individualized acupuncture treatment plan when performed by a full body acupuncturist.

Acupuncture may be done as adjunct therapy to any treatment modality in any setting, Counseling, 12-step programs, relapse prevention, referral for supportive services, and life skills training are all components of a comprehensive program that can include acupuncture. Auricular acupuncture for substance abuse treatment appears to work best in a group setting. In keeping with the philosophy of Chinese Medicine, the patient is encouraged to be actively involved in his/her own treatment and to see his/her substance abuse as part of his/her total emotional, physical, and spiritual health and its relationship to other people and the environment.

For more Information:  http://www.Acupuncture.com/Acup/Dade1.htm

References

  1. Cole, J.: Clinical Research in Medical Acupuncture:  A Literature Review.  Biomedical Research in Acupuncture- Symposium Proceedings 5/92.  J. Caulkins, ed. American Foundation of Medical Acupuncture 1993.
  2. Lee M., Ernst.:  Clinical Research Observations in Acupuncture Analgesia and Thermography.  Scientific Basis of Acupuncture .  Eds. Pomerantz, Stuz.  Springer-Verlog, Berlin, 1989, pp. 157-175.
  3. Junnilia, S.Y.: Acupuncture Superior to Piroxican in the Treatment of Osteoarthrosis.  American J. Acupuncture.  Vol. 10, No. 4, Oct-Dec. 1982, pp. 341-346.
  4. Helms, J.M.:  Acupuncture for the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea.  Obstet. Gynecol., Vol. 69, No. 1, January 1987, pp.51-56.
  5. Hanson, P.E., Hansen, J.H.: Acupuncture Treatment of Chronic Tension Headache- A controlled Cross-Over Trial.  Cephalgia, Vol. 5, No. 3, Sept. 1985, pp. 137-142.
  6. Ballegaard, S., et al:  Acupuncture in Severe Stable Angina Pectoris- A randomized trial. Medical Dept. P. Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.  Acta. Med Scand.  Vol. 220, No. 4, pp. 307-313.
  7. FDA Acupuncture Needle Status Changed.  77.2K http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00722.html
  8. NIH Consensus Statements:  107.Acupuncture 77.2K  http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/107/107_statement.htm
  9. Reed, J.C.:  Acupuncture Overview, AAMA Symposium.  Baltimore, MD, 5/93.
  10. Gunn, C.C.; Ditchburn, F.G.; King, M.H.; Renwick, G.J.  Acupuncture loci:  A proposal for their classification according to their relationship to known neural structures.  Am. J. Acupuncture , 1976, 4(2):  183.
  11. Gunn, C.C. Type IV acupuncture points.  Am. J. Acupuncture, 1977, 5(1): 51.
  12. Bergsmann, O. and Woolley- Hart, A.  Differences in electrical skin conductivity between acupuncture points and adjacent areas. Am. J. Acupuncture, 1973, 1(1): 27.
  13. Ross, R., Vogel, A.  The platelet-derived growth factor.  Cell 14:203-210.
  14. Kendall, D.E.  A Scientific Model for Acupuncture.  Am. J. Acupuncture, 1989 17(3) 251.(4)343.
  15. Huang.  H.C., The effects of acupuncture on the peripheral leukocyte count and the production of anti-cobrotoxin.  Acupuncture Res. Quarterly 4(1980) 137-146.
  16. Sliwinski, J., Kuley, M. Acupuncture induced immunoregulatory influence on the clinical state of patients suffering from chronic spastic bronchitis and undergoing long-term treatment with corticosteroids.  Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Research.  9:203-215.
  17. Wang, K.M., Yao, S.M., Xian, Y.L., Hou, Z.  A study on the receptive field of acupoints and the relationship between characteristics of needle sensation and groups of afferent fibers.  Scientia Sinica  1985, 963-971.
  18. Chiang, C.Y. Chang, C.T., Chu, H.L. Yang, L.F.  Peripheral afferent pathway for acupuncture analgesia.  Scientia Sinica. 1973, 16:210-217.
  19. Filshie, J. White, A.  Medical Acupuncture: A Western Scientific Approach.  1998, Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone.
  20. Cheng, R.S. and Pomeranz, B.  Electroacupuncture analgesia could be mediated by at least two pain-relieving mechanisms; endorphins and non-endorphin systems.  Life Sciences, 1979, 25:1957.
  21. Becker, R.O. and Selden, G.  The body electic:  electromagnetism and the foundation of life.  1985, New York: William Morrow and Co. Inc.
  22. Becker, R.O.  Electrical control systems and regenerative growth.  J. Bioelec., 1982, 1(2):  239.
  23. Bassett, C.A.L., Pilla, A.A., and Pawluk, R.J.  Inoperative salvage of surgically resistant pseudoarthritis and non-unions by pulsing electromagnetic fields.  Clin. Orthop., 1977, 124:128.
  24. De Vernejoul, P.; Darras, J.C.; Beguin, C.; Cazalaa, J.B.; Daury, G. and De Vernejoul, J.  Approche isotopique de la visualisation des meridiens d' acupuncture.  Agressologic, 1984, 25 (10):1107.
  25. Tiberiu, R.; Gheorghe, G.; Popescu, I.  Do meridians of acupuncture exist?  A radioactive tracer study of the bladder meridian.  Am. J. Acupuncture, 1981, 9(3):251.
  26. Nordenstrom, B.E.W.  Biologically closed electric circuits:  clinical, experimental, and theoretical evidence for an additional circulatory system .  1983, Stockholm, Nordic Medical Publications.
  27. Reichmanis, M.; Marino, A.A. and Becker, R.O.  Laplace plane analysis of transient impedance between acupuncture points LI-4 and LI-12.  IEEE Trans. Biomed. End., 1977, BME 24(4):402.
  28. Becker, R.O.  Search for evidence of axial current flow in peripheral nerves of the salamander.  Science, 1961, 134:101.
  29. Terzuolo, C.S. and Bullock, T.H. Measurement of imposed voltage gradient adequate to modulate neuronal firing.  J.Physiol, 1956, 42:687.
  30. Brown, W.:  In the Beginning:  Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood.  Center for Scientific Creation.  Phoenix, AZ, 1995.

For more research go to:
http://libdoc.who.int/publications/2002/9241545437.pdf

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