Do you drink milk to help with Osteoporosis? The diary industry is a multi billion-dollar industry, grossing a value of around $2.48 billion in 2010 – 11 in Victoria alone. The industry is mature, well resourced, well organised and internationally competitive. Most of the consumer marketing is targeted at milks Calcium and Protein content, and how drinking milk will help with Osteoporosis by keeping bones healthy and strong.

The truth is, after a 12-year Harvard study of 78,000 women, those who drank milk three times a day actually broke more bones than women who rarely drank milk. Similarly, a 1994 study of elderly men and women in Sydney, Australia, showed that higher dairy product consumption was associated with increased fracture risk. Those with the highest dairy product consumption had approximately double the risk of hip fracture compared to those with the lowest consumption.

We all need calcium to protect our bones, but we need also to eat foods that will keep calcium within our bones. The findings in the study might come as a shock, but the biology is clear. Calcium is an excellent acid neutralizer, and the biggest storage of calcium in the body is in our bones. What the industry doesn’t tell you is, milk acidifies the body pH, which in turn triggers a biological correction.

So the very same calcium that our bones need to stay strong is utilized to neutralize the acidifying effect of milk. Once calcium is pulled out of the bones to correct the ph, it leaves the body via the urine, so that the surprising net result after this is an actual decrease in bone calcium.

The facts are Milk does nothing to help with Osteoporosis and is actually making things a lot worse. You can do something to change this, by being conscious of the following choices;

• Eat a complex diet of whole grains, green vegetables and beans
• Consume good oils like Coconut, Olive and rice bran
• Consuming small amounts of real mineral salt (not table salt)
• Eating proteins from plant sources apposed to animal proteins
• Exercise, as this puts load on your bones and makes your body want to store calcium for bone density
• Step outside in the early morning sun, as the Vitamin D from the sun controls the bodies’ use of calcium.
• Reduce alcohol intake and don’t smoke
• Drink milk alternatives like Rice milk, Oat Bran Milk and best of all, Almond Milk.

References;

http://pcrm.org/health/health-topics/calcium-and-strong-bones

An example is a double blind study published in the journal of neurosurgery that lasted 6 months. The research concluded that treatment of sciatic pain with Physiotherapy and bed rest, was not even as good as people just getting on with life, and doing their normal day to day activities.

As an Acupuncturist, sciatic pain is something I see and treat in the clinic regularly, and with the use of Moxibustion and supple massages techniques, we are able to yield greater clinical outcomes. The study below was published in PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine, and clearly indicates the true value of what Acupuncture alone can do in just 5 treatments when treating sciatic pain.

Acupuncture and sciatica in the acute phase. Double-blind study of 30 cases

[Article in French]
Duplan B, Cabanel G, Piton JL, Grauer JL, Phelip X.

Abstract

Responses to acupuncture were studied in 30 patients with acute sciatica. Objective and subjective criteria were analyzed before treatment and after five sessions of acupuncture. The study was double blind. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 15 were treated on electrically detected points and 15 on “placebo” points.

In the “placebo” group, no significant improvement was recorded. Conversely, in the treated group, study of objective criteria showed improvement of the Lasegue sign (before and after a straight leg test). Among subjective symptoms, positive responses were recorded in the duration of improvement, degree of improvement in decubitus and after ten minutes standing, and use of analgesics.

Conclusion: Compared to the “placebo” group, these changes are statistically significant.

References:

http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/spi.2002.96.1.0045?journalCode=spi

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6320400

Neuropathy means nerve damage. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood glucose levels. It most commonly affects the nerves to the feet, but any nerves can be involved including those that control internal organs. Estimates suggest that up to 60 per cent of people with diabetes have some degree of neuropathy, for which there is no cure. Treatment aims to ease symptoms and reduce the risk of further complications. New research concludes that acupuncture dramatically improves the effects of a diabetes medication for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This condition can include the following signs and symptoms;

• Reduced ability to feel pain in the feet
• Unpleasant sensations in the feet such as numbness, tingling, shooting or burning pains
• Injuries to the feet that go unnoticed and therefore untreated
• Altered walking style
• Digestion problems
• Heart problems
• Erection problems in men
• Loss of muscular strength (rarely, only in severe cases).

Patients receiving medications to help their neuropathy symptoms jumped approximately 8% on the success rate score. When Acupuncture was added to the treatment regime, the improvement in the neuropathy disability score soared to over a 90%. A neurological examination combined with nerve conduction studies was quantified using the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS). The medication only group received no improvements in diabetic neuropathy according to these measurements thereby yielding a 0% success rate. The group receiving both acupuncture and medication, however, had over a 95% effective rate.

The importance of acupuncture for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, increases as the obesity epidemic worsens in the USA and the world over. The study examined patients with type-2 diabetes. The medication used in the study was amitriptyline hydrochloride at a rate of 10mg/day combined with vitamin B12. The primary acupuncture points used in the study were: Quchi (LI 11), Weiwanxianshu (EX-B3),
Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The results demonstrated the effectiveness of a complimentary approach to medicine wherein pharmaceutical medication combined with acupuncture yields a synergistic, beneficial patient outcome.

Reference;

http://www.healthcmi.com/acupuncturist-news-online/735-diabneuroacu

Tanakornnuwat, Suwat, et al. “The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.” Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine 10.3 (2013): 177-186.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Diabetic_neuropathy

Dyspnea: It is a normal symptom of heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations. In 85% of cases it is due to either asthma, pneumonia, cardiac ischemia, interstitial lung disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or psychogenic causes.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)The COPD-Acupuncture Trial (CAT)

Masao Suzuki, LAc, PhD; Shigeo Muro, MD, PhD; Yuki Ando, MSc; Takashi Omori, PhD; Tetsuhiro Shiota, MD, PhD; Kazuo Endo, MD; Susumu Sato, MD, PhD; Kensaku Aihara, MD; Masataka Matsumoto, MD; Shinko Suzuki, MD; Ryo Itotani, MD; Manabu Ishitoko, MD; Yoshikazu Hara, MD; Masaya Takemura, MD, PhD; Tetsuya Ueda, MD, PhD; Hitoshi Kagioka, MD, PhD; Masataka Hirabayashi, MD; Motonari Fukui, MD, PhD; Michiaki Mishima, MD, PhD

Abstract;

Background : Dyspnea on exertion (DOE) is a major symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is difficult to control. This study was performed to determine whether acupuncture is superior to placebo needling in improving DOE in patients with COPD who are receiving standard medication.

Methods: Sixty-eight of 111 patients from the Kansai region of Japan who were diagnosed as having COPD and were receiving standard medication participated in a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial (July 1, 2006, through March 31, 2009) in which the patients, evaluators, and statistician were unaware of the random allocation. Participants were randomly assigned to traditional acupuncture (real acupuncture group, n = 34) or placebo needling (placebo acupuncture group, n = 34). Both groups received real or placebo needling at the same acupoints once a week for 12 weeks. The primary end point was the modified Borg scale score evaluated immediately after the 6-minute walk test. Measurements were obtained at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Result: After 12 weeks, the Borg scale score after the 6-minute walk test was significantly better in the real acupuncture group compared with the placebo acupuncture group (mean [SD] difference from baseline by analysis of covariance, −3.6 [1.9] vs 0.4 [1.2]; mean difference between groups by analysis of covariance, −3.58; 95% CI, −4.27 to −2.90). Patients with COPD who received real acupuncture also experienced improvement in the 6-minute walk distance during exercise, indicating better exercise tolerance and reduced DOE.

Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates that acupuncture is a useful adjunctive therapy in reducing DOE in patients with COPD.

Reference;

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1151703#CONCLUSIONS

Acupuncture for Chronic Pain In dividual Patient Data Meta-analysis

Andrew J. Vickers, DPhil; Angel M. Cronin, MS; Alexandra C. Maschino, BS; George Lewith, MD; Hugh MacPherson, PhD; Nadine E. Foster, DPhil; Karen J. Sherman, PhD; Claudia M. Witt, MD; Klaus Linde, MD; for the Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration

Abstract

Background Although acupuncture is widely used for chronic pain, there remains considerable controversy as to its value. We aimed to determine the effect size of acupuncture for 4 chronic pain conditions: back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, and shoulder pain.

Methods We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for chronic pain in which allocation concealment was determined unambiguously to be adequate. Individual patient data meta-analyses were conducted using data from 29 of 31 eligible RCTs, with a total of 17 922 patients analyzed.

Results In the primary analysis, including all eligible RCTs, acupuncture was superior to both sham and no-acupuncture control for each pain condition (P < .001 for all comparisons). After exclusion of an outlying set of RCTs that strongly favored acupuncture, the effect sizes were similar across pain conditions. Patients receiving acupuncture had less pain, with scores that were 0.23 (95% CI, 0.13-0.33), 0.16 (95% CI, 0.07-0.25), and 0.15 (95% CI, 0.07-0.24) SDs lower than sham controls for back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headache, respectively; the effect sizes in comparison to no-acupuncture controls were 0.55 (95% CI, 0.51-0.58), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.50-0.64), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.37-0.46) SDs. These results were robust to a variety of sensitivity analyses, including those related to publication bias.

Conclusions Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is therefore a reasonable referral option. Significant differences between true and sham acupuncture indicate that acupuncture is more than a placebo. However, these differences are relatively modest, suggesting that factors in addition to the specific effects of needling are important contributors to the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.

Reference: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1357513#METHODS

Clinical observation on effects of acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14) for abating fever of common cold

Institute: TCM & Acupuncture Center, No. 464 Hospital of PLA, Tianjin 300381, China.

Author(s): Xiao L, Jiang GL, Zhao JG, Wang LX, Xing J, Li JJ, Yang ZX.

Journal: Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2007 Mar;27(3):169-72.

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14) for abating fever of common cold.

METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-one cases were randomly assigned to a treatment group of 133 cases and a control group of 128 cases. The treatment group were treated with electroacupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14) and the control group with antondine injection. The transient effect of abating fever within 24 h was observed.

RESULTS: After treatment, the body temperature at all observation time points in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The effect-appearing time (1.42 +/- 1.79) h in the treatment group was shorter than that in the control group (3.44 +/- 5.10) h (P < 0.01). The cured rate and the abating fever rate were 27.8% and 75.9% in the treatment group, and 10.9% and 55.5% in the control group, with significant differences between the two groups, the treatment group being better than the control group (P < 0.01). The abating fever rate for the wind-heat type common cold was 75.3% in the treatment group and 50.0% in the control group, with significant difference between the two groups, the treatment group being better than the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The method of acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14) has a definite therapeutic effect on high fever of common cold, and for wind-heat type common cold, Dazhui (GV 14) first may be chosen to abate high-fever and the treatment should be taken as early as possible.

Reference: http://www.acupuncture.com.au/articles/viewarticle.html?id=097

Considerations for Use of Acupuncture as Supplemental Therapy for Patients with Allergic Asthma.

Institute: Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 650 South Wanping Road, Shanghai, 200030, China, yyq@shutcm.edu.cn.

Author(s): Yang YQ, Chen HP, Wang Y, Yin LM, Xu YD, Ran J.

Journal: Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2012 Jun 3

Abstract:

This study examines the clinical and immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of patients with allergic asthma.

The acupuncture points GV14, BL12, and BL13 were selected based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine in treating asthma. Manual acupuncture was performed once every other day (three times per week) for 5 weeks. The needles were twisted approximately 360° evenly at the rate of 60 times/min for 20 s, manipulated every 10 min and withdrawn after 30 min. Concentrations of sIgA and total IgA in secretions were determined by the combination of sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and RIA. Levels of cortisol in the plasma were measured by RIA. Total IgE in the sera was examined by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect the numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and IL-2R + T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. The absolute and differential numbers of eosinophils in peripheral blood were counted with eosin staining.

The total efficacy of the acupuncture treatment in patients with allergic asthma at the end of one course of treatment was 85 %. After treatment, the concentrations of sIgA and total IgA in the saliva (P??0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture has regulatory effects on mucosal and cellular immunity in patients with allergic asthma and may be an adjunctive therapy for allergic asthma.

Reference: http://www.acupuncture.com.au/articles/viewarticle.html?id=202

The objective of the following study was to compare the therapeutic effect differences of chronic functional constipation treated with the combined therapy of grain-shaped moxibustion and acupuncture and simple acupuncture therapy.

[Randomized controlled study on chronic functional constipation treated with grain-shaped moxibustion and acupuncture

[Article in Chinese]

Wang LJ, Wang LL.

Source

Laboratory of Integrated Acupuncture and Medicine, Nanjing University of CM, Nanjing 210029, China.

The researchers took one hundred cases of constipation and randomly divided them into a Acupuncture and Moxibustion group and a group that received only Acupuncture, fifty-fifty. Both groups were treated by acupuncture therapy with acupoints of two groups alternatively. Group 1: Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Group 2: Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Dachangshu (BL 25), Shenshu (BL 23) and Pishu (BL 20).

In the acupuncture group, all the acupoints, were punctured. In the acupuncture and moxibustion group, grain-shaped moxibustion was given at Qihai (CV 6), Susanli (ST 36), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Pishu (BL 20), and other points were treated with puncture. The clinical therapeutic effect, and the changes of clinical score of constipation, quality of life and psychological symptoms score were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

The total effective rate in acupuncture and moxibustion group was 74.0% (37/50), superior to that (52.0%, 26/50) in acupuncture group. The clinical score of constipation, the quality of life and psychological symptoms score in both groups improved after treatment; in clinical score of constipation, the improvement of difficulty of defecation, defecation time, abdominal pain, difficulty, endless sensation of defecation, obstruction sense of anus, purgative prescription dependence, quality of life score and psychological symptoms score in the Acupuncture and Moxibustion group were superior to those in the second group that received Acupuncture alone.

CONCLUSION:

For treating chronic functional constipation, the combined therapy of both grain-shaped moxibustion and acupuncture is safe and effective, superior to the simple acupuncture therapy.

Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21528597

Opioid peptides otherwise know as Endorphins are short sequences of amino acids that bind to opioid receptors in the brain. We naturally produce these good endorphins from maintaining an active lifestyle and consuming quality whole foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish that contain good cholesterol, sugars and fats.

Opioid peptides (Endorphins) play an essential role within our bodies and have shown to help with food cravings and increase motivation, but most of all they allow us to cope with pain and to manage stress when life gets the better of us. The article below gives some insight in to how Acupuncture stimulates the bodies’ own defenses and allows for the body to combat pain and disease of an acute and chronic nature, naturally.

Effects of acupuncture on immune response related to opioid-like peptides.
Petti F, Bangrazi A, Liguori A, Reale G, Ippoliti F.

Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters (VIP, lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and monocyte phagocytosis) in a group of 90 patients suffering from various painful disorders treated with acupuncture.

Zusanli (St 36) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints were selected. A homogeneous group of 30 subjects was used as control. Evaluation of the above parameters was made with 3 series of blood tests before treatment, 30 minutes and 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In the acupuncture group, the following results were achieved:

1) A considerable increase in beta-endorphin levels remained high even 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In addition, we demonstrated an inverted correlation between beta-endorphins and VIP; 2) 30 minutes after acupuncture session, 80% of the treated patients showed a significant increase of CD3 and CD4 values and an increase of CD8 24 hours after stimulation; 3) Monocyte phagocytosis was increased in 45% of the treated subjects 30 minutes from starting treatment, and in 100% of them after 24 hours.

The percentage of NK cells (Natural killer – immune cells) was also increased in 40% of cases after 30 minutes, and in 50% after 24 hours. However, in the control group, no such significant changes in immune parameters were found

Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10437265

There are few medical treatment options available for women experiencing depression during there pregnancies that are reliable and most of all safe. Pregnancy is a delicate time and mothers opt to live as healthy as they can, knowing that the nutrients taken into the blood stream from a nutritious diet cross the placenta, ultimately affecting the growth and health of the baby.

Equally as important are the affects on an unborn child from the mental and emotional state of the mother. Numerous studies have indicated mothers that have experienced frequent episodes of psycho emotional stress during their pregnancy are more at risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Studies have also shown that babies are more likely to suffer altered brain development, ADHD, asthma and allergies form mothers experiencing high levels of stress.

Although clinically all around the world Acupuncture has been helping people in general with common elements like anxiety and depression, the study below gives some good insight into Acupuncture in treating depression during pregnancy. What’s more, is that pregnant mothers can relax in knowing that the treatment is not only reliable, effective and natural, most importantly it is safe.

Acupuncture: a promising treatment for depression during pregnancy.
Manber R, Schnyer RN, Allen JJ, Rush AJ, Blasey CM.

Source
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University. 401, Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Rmanber@stanford.edu

Abstract

Sixty-one pregnant women with major depressive disorder were selected for the study. A 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD17) was used to measure data and the subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatments, delivered over 8 weeks. Group A received an active acupuncture (SPEC, N=20), Group B received active control acupuncture (NSPEC, N=21), and Group C received massage (MSSG, N=20).

Acupuncture treatments were standardized, but individually tailored, and were provided in a double-blind fashion. Responders to acute phase treatment (HRSD17 scoreor=50% reduction from baseline) continued the treatment they were initially randomized to until 10 weeks postpartum.

Response rates at the end of the acute phase were statistically significantly higher for SPEC (69%) than for MSSG (32%), with an intermediate NSPEC response rate (47%). The SPEC group also exhibited a significantly higher average rate of reduction in BDI scores from baseline to the end of the first month of treatment than the MSSG group. Responders to the acute phase of all treatments combined had significantly lower depression scores at 10 weeks postpartum than nonresponders.

The researchers concluded that there was room for improvement in future studies because the size of the study however the results indicated that Acupuncture holds promise for the treatment of depression during pregnancy.

Reference: 1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15546651,

2. http://www.brisbanefertilityclinic.com.au/articles/ways-stress-harms-your-baby.php