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"Believing in the Possibilities"

Below are links to current topics.

Acupuncture in Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Fertility

Pregnancy and Acupuncture - A Good Thing

Acupuncture Treatments Result in Higher Pregnancy Rates for Embryo Transfer

Acupuncture 'Boosts IVF Success'

What Caused Gwyneth's Spots? An Article About Cupping

Can Acupuncture Help you Conceive?

Acupuncture used as Infertility Therapy

Study: Acupuncture Better than Massage for Chronic Neck Pain

 

 

Acupuncture shown to work on brain in pain relief says BBC2 program. 24.01.2006

BBC2's program "Alternative Health" showed researchers carrying out brain scans on people having acupuncture.

The BBC Two show also featured heart surgery done using acupuncture instead of a general anesthetic.

The patient is conscious during the operation in China, but she was given sedatives and a local anesthetic.

In Alternative Medicine: The Evidence, volunteers were subjected to deep needling, which involves needles being inserted 1cm into the back of the hand at well-known acupuncture points.

A control group underwent superficial needling with needles placed only 1mm in.

The needles are then twiddled until the participants feel a dull, achy or tingling sensation. For those in the deep needling group this stimulates the nervous system.

During these two procedures, the volunteers underwent brain scans to see what, if any, effect there was in the brain.

The team, including leading scientists from University College London, Southampton University and the University of York, found the superficial needling resulted in activation of the motor areas of the cortex, a normal reaction to pain.

But with deep needling, the limbic system, part of the pain matrix, is deactivated.

The finding was surprising because experts had always assumed acupuncture activates the brain in someway.

Professor Kathy Sykes said: "The pain matrix is involved in the perception of pain - it helps someone decide whether something is painful or not, so it could be that acupuncture in some ways changes a person's pain perception.

"We have found something quite unexpected - that acupuncture is having a measurable effect on the human brain.

"We are not suggesting that it should be used during surgery, although it is in China, but just that it acts as a pain relief and should be taken seriously."

ACUPUNCTURE AND FERTILITY RESEARCH

Acupuncture Treatment Results in Higher Pregnancy Rates for Embryo Transfer

Breaking news
 
The May 2006 issue of medical journal Fertility and Sterility presents several new studies that confirm the efficacy of acupuncture as an aid to IVF. Here are the study results:
 
Study #1: Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer (ET) significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial
 
In this study, Westergaard LG, et.al., set out to evaluate how the use of acupuncture effected pregnancy rates in patients treated with IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
273 patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
One group had acupuncture on the day of the transfer, a second group had acupuncture on the day of the transfer and then again 2 days after the transfer, and a third control group did not receive acupuncture.
 
The results clearly showed that the first acupuncture group that received treatment the day of the transfer had a statistically significant higher rate of pregnancy than the control group (37 of 95 [39%] vs. 21 of 87 [26%]). Comparison of ongoing pregnancy rates also favored the acupuncture group (34 of 95 [36%] vs. 19 of 87 [22%]).
There was no improvement on the reproductive outcome by adding an acupuncture treatment 2 days after ET.
 
Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5 , May 2006, Pages 1341-1346
 
Study #2: Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study
 
In this study, a joint collaboration between researchers in Germany and China, Stefan Dieterle M.D and his colleagues set out to determine the effect of luteal phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.
 
225 IVF/ICSI infertile patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One group received Traditional Chinese acupuncture and the other half received sham acupuncture. As in the previous study, in the group that received true acupuncture, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rates (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than in sham acupuncture group (15.6% and 13.8%).
 
Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5 , May 2006, Pages 1347-1351
 
Study #3: Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer
 
This study from Australia, lead by Caroline Smith Ph.D., examined 228 women and again compared a true acupuncture to a placebo group. The design of this study was to treat the women three separate times: the first session on day 9 of stimulating injections, the second session before ET, and the third immediately after ET.
They reported their results as follows:
The pregnancy rate was 31% in the acupuncture group and 23% in the control group. For those subjects receiving acupuncture, the odds of achieving a pregnancy were 1.5 higher than for the control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The ongoing pregnancy rate at 18 weeks was higher in the treatment group (28% vs. 18%), but the difference was not statistically significant.
They did conclude that acupuncture was safe for women undergoing embryo transfer.
 
Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5 , May 2006, Pages 1352-1358
 
Previous studies:
 
At the October 2004 meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) another study was presented that confirms the value of acupuncture to the success of IVF treatment. The research, done at Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Centre in Colorado Springs, studied 114 women undergoing IVF. Half of the women received acupuncture and the control group did not. The acupuncture group showed improved outcome in the following ways:
1. Acupuncture group 51% pregnancy rate compared to 36% in control group
2. Acupuncture group 08% miscarriage rate compared to 20% in control group
Acupuncture also was found to reduce the risk of tubal pregnancy and increase the live birth rate. The live birth rate for each IVF cycle was 23 % higher than the cycles for the control group.
Independent.co.uk News Report
 
Below is the very first paper published on this research.
It is from the journal: Highlights in Fertility and Sterility
(Vol. 77, No. 4, April 2002)
 
Results from a recent study in Germany indicate that adding acupuncture to the treatment protocol of IVF patients greatly enhances their chances of becoming pregnant. While the physiologic mechanisms by which acupuncture may affect the uterus and reproductive system have not been identified, the researchers found that as a practical matter, at least among their small study population, the technique worked.
 
In a study of 160 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, researchers utilized acupuncture, an important element in the 4,000-year-old tradition of Chinese medicine, before and after the embryo transfers of half their patients. The patients, who were all required to have embryos of good quality, were evenly and randomly divided into two groups similar in age and diagnosis.
 
The group receiving acupuncture treatments had one treatment before transfer and another after embryos had been transferred to their uteruses. Sterile needles were inserted into the patients' bodies at very specific points. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, energy flows through the body along defined pathways, or meridians. Acupuncture is a means of influencing this energy to induce a desired physiological effect. Points were chosen for these patients along the spleen and stomach/colon meridians in an effort to positively influence blood flow and energy to the uterus and to provide a sedative effect. Additional needles were inserted in the patients' ears to influence the uterus and stabilize the endocrine system. Needles were left in place for 25 minutes while the patients rested. The control group also rested, lying still for 25 minutes after embryo transfer, as part of the IVF protocol.
 
The difference between pregnancy rates for the two groups was notable. Patients were examined using ultrasound six weeks after their IVF procedures. In the control group, 21 out of 80 patients became pregnant. Of the patients who had received acupuncture treatments, 34 of 80 became pregnant. The researchers plan to conduct further studies to try to rule out possible psychological or psychosomatic effects.
 
Sandra Carson, MD, President-Elect of ASRM, commented, "If these findings are confirmed, they may help us improve the odds for our IVF patients' achieving pregnancy."

 

What caused Gwyneth's spots?
By Michelle Roberts
BBC News Online health staff
Her low-cut top revealed the cupping bruises
Gwyneth Paltrow caused a stir at a New York film premiere this week in a low cut top revealing a back covered in large circular bruises.
At first glance they looked like large love bites, but in fact they were caused by a form of alternative therapy.
Gwyneth had cupping, a kind of acupuncture.
It involves placing heated cups over the skin to encourage blood flow and ease stress, aches and pains.
What is cupping?
Cupping has been practiced for thousands of years for the treatment of disease and pain.
There have certainly been satisfied customers for 3,000 years
 
Professor Edzard Ernst, University of Exeter
It is a form of acupuncture that focuses on the movement of blood, energy - called qi - and body fluids, such as lymph - which circulates around the body's tissues.
Oriental medicine states pain is due to stagnation of these systems. This stagnation can be a result of injury or stress.
Cupping is believed to stimulate flow of blood, lymph and Qi to the affected area. Its uses include relieving pain in the muscles, especially back pain from stiffness or injury, and clearing congestion in the chest, which can occur with colds and flu.
How it's done
The therapist takes a number of glass cups, which look like small fish bowls. Each cup is heated with a naked flame. The cup is then quickly applied to the skin. This creates a vacuum.
The suction anchors the cup to the body and the area of skin covered is drawn up a few millimeters into the cup.
The cups are then left on the body whilst the area beneath is treated and the energy, or qi, is moved.
Cupping is usually used on its own, but can be combined with other therapies.
Tim Handley had conventional acupuncture and cupping therapy for a painful shoulder.
He told BBC News Online: "I had four treatments and it really knocked it on the head. It was brilliant. After the first time I had it I felt absolutely fantastic. The difference was so tangible. It was wonderful.
"It felt quite strange because the suction was enormous. It was intense but not painful. You could feel the blood being drawn into the muscle."
Like Gwyneth, he was bruised afterwards, but the marks vanished quickly.
It is important to seek out a registered practitioner
 
Mike O'Farrell, CEO of the British Acupuncture Council
"It looked hilarious. They were deep purple, amazing bruises. But it's not damage as such. They are 'healthy bruises' and they disappeared very quickly - within a week. I would have it done again."
Mike O'Farrell, CEO of the British Acupuncture Council said: "Although cupping does leave noticeable marks that can look alarming, it is not painful during or after treatment.
"This is a successful method as seen by the thousands of patients who use it. However, as with all medical treatments it is important to seek out a registered practitioner."
But Professor Edzard Ernst from the department of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter said, while cupping was relatively safe, it could cause burns.
He added: "There is no evidence for its efficacy. It has not been submitted to clinical trials, but there have certainly been satisfied customers for 3,000 years."

Can Acupuncture Help You Conceive?

NEW YORK, July 24, 2004

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Acupuncture involves placing tiny hair-like needles in the skin as a way of stimulating energy points. (AP) Quote Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that involves placing tiny hair-like needles in the skin as a way of stimulating energy points that are thought to be central to your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical balance.

©MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Acupuncture Used As Infertility Therapy
by Julia Sommerfeld

Sara Cook, a stylish brunette with a Snow White complexion, lies face down as hair-thin needles are gently slipped into her ankles, the backs of her knees, her lower back and ears.

A dull, warming sensation creeps over her as the small examination room with its sweet menthol smell fades away, as do worries about ovulation schedules, hormone shots and what's next after four failed attempts at in-vitro fertilization.

Since October, Cook, 34, has been needled once a week by Seattle acupuncturist Stephanie Gianarelli in hopes of improving her chances of getting pregnant.

Used for 2,500 years in traditional Chinese medicine and best known in Western circles as a New Age pain zapper, acupuncture has gained a following among women - and couples - as an infertility therapy.

Some, like Cook, have left no stone unturned, combining the ancient remedy with the best that modern medicine has to offer, including fertility drugs and test-tube technology. Others eschew the expensive and emotionally draining tactics of fertility clinics and place their hopes on the head of a pin.

"Western medicine uses the sledgehammer approach to infertility," says Gianarelli, who specializes in the problem. "But acupuncture coaxes the entire body into balance and better health so it's ready to conceive."

Even mainstream physicians are hard-pressed to completely dismiss acupuncture, at least when used in conjunction with their high-tech methods. In fact, many of the women who slip away from their downtown offices for half-hour sessions with Gianarelli each week were referred by their infertility doctors.

That's because two years ago a German study found acupuncture boosts the success rate of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), where egg and sperm meet in a laboratory dish and resulting embryos are transplanted to the womb. The study of 160 IVF patients found that women who had acupuncture right before and after the embryo transfer increased their chances of pregnancy from 26 percent to 43 percent.

"It's only one study," Dr. Lori Marshall, an infertility doctor at Seattle's Virginia Mason Medical Center, cautions her patients. "But it's enough to say, 'Hey, there could be something there.' "

It's also enough to persuade 20 to 30 percent of her clinic's IVF patients to go under the needle.

Because acupuncture isn't likely to do any harm and, at about $60 to $100 a visit, is relatively inexpensive compared with mainstream fertility help, many women are willing to take their chances.

Plus, because of a Washington state law, insurers must pay for acupuncture treatment for problems that they cover.

"It used to be people just came as a last resort, after they've failed everything else. Now we're more often seeing women trying this before they go down those other roads," says Greg Bantick, academic dean at Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine.

With more patients asking if they should get needled, Dr. LaTasha Craig at the University of Washington Fertility and Endocrine Center wants to be able to provide a more definitive answer. So she's about to put the German findings to the test. Starting this summer, she plans to enroll 200 women in a trial comparing IVF plus acupuncture to IVF alone. She anticipates her biggest challenge will be recruiting enough women to agree they won't get acupuncture.

After eight years of trying to get pregnant and three failed rounds of IVF, lingerie merchandiser Sara Cook and her husband, Jason, a firefighter, were willing to try anything. "I wanted to know I did everything I possibly could to make this work," she says.

Although their insurance covers most of the costs of IVF, they've spent about $15,000 out of pocket. In October, to prepare for her fourth and final attempt at an embryo transfer, Cook began seeing Gianarelli once a week, with the blessing of her physician.

"These patients are going down a pretty rough road. Anything that makes them feel better, I'm for," says Dr. Lee Hickok, her IVF doctor at Swedish Medical Center.

Although the embryos implanted in January didn't result in pregnancy, Cook hasn't given up on acupuncture. She's considering having a surrogate carry her embryo, so she and her husband come in for weekly acupuncture sessions aimed at fortifying her eggs and his sperm.

Acupuncture can do more than bolster IVF's success rate, says acupuncturist Kerong Xie, who works out of a converted house in Seattle's University District. Along with Chinese herbs, it can cure most cases of infertility, she says matter-of-factly.

Needless to say, this is where acupuncturists and mainstream doctors part company.

Rifling through a stack of Christmas-card photos and birth announcements from grateful patients, Xie tallies her recent successes. She estimates about 17 or 18 pregnancies since October.

In traditional Chinese medicine, conditions such as infertility are fundamentally seen as blockages or imbalances in the body's "qi" (pronounced chee), a vital force or energy that flows throughout the body along channels called meridians.

Xie diagnoses a patient by examining her tongue, asking a list of personal questions and taking several pulses. She then strategically sticks needles so tiny they hardly can be felt into points of the body that she says act as valves to manipulate qi, disperse it when it's blocked, stimulate it when it's stagnating and, in general, get the body's qi humming along.

Treating infertility is a standard part of acupuncture training, says Steve Given, who heads the acupuncture clinic at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle. "Oriental medicine excels at identifying individual patterns of disharmony. If you lined up 100 different women with infertility, an acupuncturist could have a slightly different treatment for each of them."

What's seen in Western medicine as a blocked fallopian tube is blocked or stagnating qi to Xie.

"I prepare the body for pregnancy - how do you plant seeds when the dirt is very thin?" she asks.

Many doctors don't know what to make of such mystical adages.

"There's just no Western medical equivalent to this stuff," Hickok says. He'll grant that acupuncture may promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. At best, he could see this slightly improving a woman's chances of conceiving and, at the least, it can help patients feel better and more in control. Other doctors speculate acupuncture could increase blood flow to the uterus or boost production of endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals that impact certain hormones.

There's no scientific evidence that needling alone improves pregnancy rates, so most doctors discourage women who are having trouble getting pregnant from relying solely on acupuncture.

"I would hate to see women who are 35 and up get hung up in alternative therapy that may not be all they need," says Dr. Kevin Johnson, an infertility doctor at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, Wash. He worries that women who could be helped with more-aggressive therapies could be squandering their final fertile years.

He urges a fertility checkup before pursuing acupuncture. "A totally blocked fallopian tube won't be helped by acupuncture, nor will bad eggs," he says. And no amount of tinkering with a woman's qi is going to help if the problem is actually her partner's low sperm count.

The other sticking point for Western doctors is the cornucopia of herbs that acupuncturists often prescribe to be boiled up in a pungent tea.

"That's where I draw the line," Hickok says. "I tell my patients, don't take the herbs; I don't know what they do or how they'll interact with IVF drugs, and they haven't been tested for safety or purity. With acupuncture, I don't think there's a potential for harm, but there could be with the herbs."

At 40, wedding photographer Janet Klinger had been trying to get pregnant for almost two years. She and her husband knew that IVF wasn't for them. "I didn't really want to go through that emotional roller coaster with the possibility of spending 20 grand and not succeeding," she says.

After hearing about Xie from a pregnant client, she began visiting her twice a month. For three months, she would lie quietly, with needles scattered up her torso, along her "conception channel," and think "baby thoughts." She's now 28 weeks pregnant.

"Whether it's for scientific reasons or just because I felt so relaxed and cared for, I don't know, but I totally believe she helped me get pregnant," Klinger says.

Anecdotes like Klinger's don't make for strong medical evidence. Doctors are quick to point out there's no way of knowing whether she would have gotten pregnant anyway. But such accounts do make the rounds in infertility circles and among women friends.

That's why, despite not advertising, Xie's nondescript clinic draws a steady stream of well-heeled women, some IVF patients, some looking for an outright miracle.

ACUPUNCTURE POINTS

If you are considering going under the needle, experts offer these tips:

-Only visit acupuncturists licensed by the state. Look for the letters L.Ac. after their names. To verify that an acupuncturist's license is in good standing, plug the name into the state's health-provider-credential search engine at http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/irm00praes/praslist.asp

-Make sure your acupuncturist uses only single-use, sterile needles.

-Visit a reproductive specialist for a conventional diagnosis first. "You'll want to rule out frank structural problems, like a scarred fallopian tube or tipped uterus," says Bastyr University's Steve Given.

-If you are already seeing a fertility doctor, discuss your plans. Don't take any herbs without your physician's approval - they could interfere with fertility drugs.

Herbs are available in tablets, capsules or tinctures and are made of both concentrates, extracts and raw herbal ingredients under strict standards of quality control. Some herbal formulas act quickly to fight a cold, stop bleeding, regulate digestion, eliminate bloating, or relieve constipation, while others work more slowly over time to support your system

Cupping

Cupping is a technique in which glass cups are heated from the inside with fire to create a vacuum and then placed on the afflicted area of the body. The cup's suction pulls at the skin and is said to "suck out" the body's toxins. Sound uncomfortable? If done correctly, the practice can actually relieve much of the body's discomfort caused by the congestion of blood, energy or mucus, as well as swelling or pain, according to "The Herbs Of Life" author Lesley Tierra.

Cupping is said to help improve circulation and "to 'open' the lungs, draw toxins out of them and towards the skin surface and to facilitate better breathing," writes "Heart Disease" author Burton Goldberg. More in line with ancient Chinese philosophy, cupping "is believed to draw out Cold, Wind, and Damp," writes Michael Castleman in "Blended Medicine." Cupping can be effective for a wide range of ailments, according to Tierra, including "edema, swellings, asthma, bronchitis, dull aches and pains, arthritis, abdominal pain, stomachache, indigestion, headache, low back pain, painful menstruation, coughs from excessive mucus and places where bodily movement is limited and painful."

The heated cups used in the technique are placed on the skin above the pained muscle area or above an acupuncture point at the afflicted area. "The vacuum created by the heat is said to dispel dampness from the body, warm the qi and reduce swelling," writes Barrie R. Cassileth, PhD., in "The Alternative Medicine Handbook." The cups are left in place for five to 15 minutes, and when removed, they usually leave a round red bruise behind. According to Tierra, bruising occurs in spots where congestion existed. Although bruises can take several days to go away, the temporary marks are a small price to pay for the relief the therapy provides. Tierra says people suffering from either pain or congestion often notice an immediate difference after treatment.

 

Moxabustion (or Moxa)

Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation through the points and inducing a smoother flow of blood and qi. Scientific research has shown that mugwort acts as an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus. It is claimed that moxibustion militates against cold and dampness in the body and can supposedly serve to turn breech babies.

Medical historians believe that moxibustion pre-dated acupuncture, and needling came to supplement moxa after the 2nd century BC. Different schools of acupuncture use moxa in varying degrees. For example a 5-element acupuncturist will use moxa directly on the skin, whilst a TCM-style practitioner will use rolls of moxa and hold them over the point treated. It can also be burnt atop a fine slice of ginger root to prevent scarring.

Practitioners consider moxibustion to be especially effective in the treatment of chronic problems, "deficient conditions" (weakness), and gerontology. Bian Que (fl. circa 500 BC), one of the most famous semi-legendary doctors of Chinese antiquity and the first specialist in moxibustion, discussed the benefits of moxa over acupuncture in his classic work. He asserted that moxa could add new energy to the body and could treat both excess and deficient conditions. On the other hand, he advised against the use of acupuncture in an already deficient (weak) patient, on the grounds that needle manipulation would leak too much energy.

A huge classical work, Gao Huang Shu (膏肓俞), specializes solely in treatment indications for moxa on a single point (穴).
Note that Taoists use scarring moxibustion along with Chinese medical astrology for longevity.
Practitioners may use acupuncture needles made of various materials in combination with moxa, depending on the direction of qi flow they wish to stimulate.

Tuina Massage

History of Tuina
Tuina dates to the Shang Dynasty, around 1700 BC. Ancient inscriptions on oracle bones show that massage was used to treat infants and adult digestive conditions. In his book "Jin Dui Yao Lue", Zhang Zhongjing, a famous physician in the Han Dynasty (206 BC), wrote, "As soon as the heavy sensation of the limbs is felt, "Daoyin", "Tuina", "Zhenjiu" and "Gaomo", all of which are therapeutic methods, are carried out in order to prevent... the disease from gaining a start." Around 700 CE, Tuina had developed into a separate study in the Imperial Medical College.

The first reference to this type of external treatment was called "Anwu", then the more common name became "Anmo". It was then popularized and spread to many foreign countries such as Korea and Japan.

As the art of massage continued to develop and gain structure, it merged (around 1600 CE) with another technique called "Tuina", which was the specialty of bone-setting using deep manipulation. It was also around this time that infant "Tuina" became popular, with its own set of rules and methods.

Today, the term "Tuina" has replaced "Anmo" within China and in the West. The term "Anmo" is still used in some surrounding countries such as Japan.
It is not unusual to see practitioners working on street corners and parks in modern China. Tuina is an occupation that is particularly suitable to those with physical disabilities and in China, many blind persons receive training in the art of Tuina, where their heightened sense of touch is a great benefit.
 
  
Tuina, Massage and Shiatsu
In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified into "external" and "internal" treatments. Tuina was one of the external methods, especially suitable for use on the elderly population and on infants. Today it is subdivided into specialized treatment for "infants", "adults", "orthopedics", "traumatology", "cosmetology", "rehabilitation", "sports medicine", etc. Tuina has been used extensively in China for over 2,000 years.
Tuina has no side effects unlike many modern drug-based and chemical-based treatments. It has been used to treat or compliment the treatment of many conditions, especially specific musculo-skeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture, the application of a pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupoints, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles around 1934. It is described, though only briefly, in most comprehensive texts of acupuncture (1-4). The procedure for electro-acupuncture is to insert the acupuncture needle as would normally be done, attain the qi reaction by hand manipulation, and then attach an electrode to the needle to provide continued stimulation. The benefits of using electrical stimulation are:

1. It substitutes for prolonged hand maneuvering. This helps assure that the patient gets the amount of stimulation needed, because the practitioner may otherwise pause due to fatigue. Electro-acupuncture may also help reduce total treatment time by providing the continued stimulus. During electro-acupuncture, the practitioner can attend to other patients.
2. It can produce a stronger stimulation, if desired, without causing tissue damage associated with twirling and lifting and thrusting the needle. Strong stimulation may be needed for difficult cases of neuralgia or paralysis.
3. It is easier to control the frequency of the stimulus and the amount of stimulus than with hand manipulation of the needles.

Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is one of the more widely used Microsystems within eastern medicine. Microsystems use one aspect of the body - for example, the ears, hands or feet - to treat conditions that are present anywhere in the body. Auricular acupuncture may be used as a primary mode of treatment or in conjunction with other treatments such as acupuncture, bodywork or herbal medicine. Examples of other microsystems include reflexology and korean hand acupuncture.

Hypnoimagery & Guided Meditation

How Effective Is Imagery? Clinical Studies on the Effectiveness of Imagery
has found it very effective for the treatment of stress. Imagery is at the center of relaxation techniques designed to release brain chemicals that act as your body's natural brain tranquilizers, lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels. By and large, researchers find that these techniques work. Because imagery relaxes the body, doctors specializing in imagery often recommend it for stress-related conditions such as headaches, chronic pain in the neck and back, high blood pressure, spastic colon, and cramping from premenstrual syndrome.

Researchers at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio found that people with cancer who used imagery while receiving chemotherapy felt more relaxed, better prepared for their treatment and more positive about care than those who didn't use the technique.

Several studies suggest that imagery can also boost your immunity. Danish researchers found increased natural killer cell activity among ten college students who imagined that their immune systems were becoming very effective. Natural killer cells are an important part of the immune system because they can recognize and destroy virus-infected cells, tumor cells and other invaders.

In another small study, researchers at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pa and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio found that seven people who suffered from recurrent canker sores in their mouths significantly reduced the frequency of their outbreaks after they began visualizing that the sores were bathed in a soothing coating of white blood cells.

Imagery can also help alter menstrual cycles and relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. In a preliminary study, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that 12 of 15 women, ages 21 to 40, who used imagery for three months lengthened their monthly menstrual cycles by an average of nearly four days and slashed their perceived levels of premenstrual distress in half. They also reported fewer mood swings.

At the University of South Florida in Tampa, researchers asked 19 men and
women, ages 56 to 75, who had chronic bronchitis and emphysema to rate their levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue and discomfort before and after they began using imagery. The researchers concluded that imagery significantly improved the overall quality of these people's lives.

A study at Yale demonstrated that patients suffering from severe depression were helped by imagining scenes in which they were praised by people they admired- a clear boost to their self-esteem.

Visualization and other relaxation methods may produce significant benefits, often by helping to ease pain and lift depression. Research is continuing to determine whether even more spectacular results can be achieved.

A controlled study of fifty-five women examined the effects of imagery and relaxation on breast milk production in mothers of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. They received a twenty-minute audiotape of progressive relaxation followed by guided imagery of pleasant surroundings, milk flowing in the breasts, and the baby's warm skin against theirs. They produced more than twice as much milk as compared to those receiving only routine care.

In another study, a group of metastatic cancer patients using daily imagery for a year achieved significant improvements in NK cell activity and several other measures of immune functioning.

At Michigan State University, researchers found that students could use guided imagery to improve the functioning of certain white cells called neutrophils, important immune cells in defense against bacterial and fungal infection. They could also decrease, but not increase, white cell counts. At one point in the study, a form of imagery intended to increase neutrophil count unexpectedly caused a drop instead. Subsequently, students were taught imagery explicitly intended to keep the neutrophil count steady, while increasing their effectiveness. Both of these goals were achieved.
 Other studies have shown that imagery can lower blood pressure, slow heart rate and help treat insomnia, obesity and phobias.

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