Acupuncture for back pain

Acupuncture effectively relieves chronic low back pain

In an age of technological marvels and medical breakthroughs, it’s fascinating to see how a practice rooted in ancient wisdom continues to provide relief to those in pain. Acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, has long been the subject of scrutiny and debate. However, a comprehensive meta-analysis has provided compelling evidence that acupuncture can effectively alleviate chronic low back pain, a condition that plagues countless individuals and often sends them seeking solace from their physicians.

The study, spearheaded by Eric Manheimer and his team, assessed the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating low back pain by analysing 33 randomised, controlled trials. These trials compared needle acupuncture with sham acupuncture, other sham treatments, no additional treatment, or another active treatment for patients with low back pain. The outcomes considered included pain, functional status, overall improvement, return to work, and analgesic consumption. Additionally, the quality of the included trials was assessed.

The researchers discovered that for the primary outcome of short-term relief of chronic pain, acupuncture was significantly more effective than both sham treatment and no additional treatment. This finding is a testament to acupuncture’s potential as a viable alternative to traditional pain relief methods. However, for patients with acute low back pain, the data remains sparse and inconclusive. Moreover, the study could not draw conclusions about acupuncture’s short-term effectiveness compared with most other therapies.

While the quality and quantity of the included trials varied, the results of this meta-analysis are heartening for proponents of acupuncture and individuals struggling with chronic low back pain. The study concludes that acupuncture does indeed provide effective relief for chronic low back pain, though it is not necessarily more effective than other active therapies.

In an era where the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is paramount, it’s essential to keep an open mind when exploring the potential benefits of ancient practices. The findings of this study not only validate acupuncture’s role in pain relief but also reinforce the notion that sometimes, the answers to modern problems can be found by looking to the wisdom of the past.

Acupuncture fertility treatment - a last hope for many

Acupuncture: A Cure for Infertility?

NEW YORK — At 36, Lucy Appert has suffered through two miscarriages, a stillbirth at 8 1/2 months and, because of a rare pregnancy-related liver dysfunction, intensive illness and surgery.

Yet after enduring five painful years of trying to have their own baby, Appert and her husband Edward finally saw their dream come true last month when their son Henry was born — premature, but healthy.

For all the fertility treatments, technologies and prenatal care available to women today, Appert credits the success of her pregnancy to an ancient Chinese secret.

“I recommend acupuncture (search) to everyone,” Appert said. “It does work. I did everything possible for years to have a baby. I almost lost hope.” Read more

Food is the best medicine – Financial times

On a bustling Saturday morning in Guangzhou, China, Clifford Herbal Cuisine, an innovative restaurant that combines the ancient principles of traditional Chinese medicine with gastronomic delights.

Lu Xinhua looks like somebody’s aunt. Her short, wavy black hair, freckles and sweater set give her a kindly demeanour. So I did not mind when she took my wrist with three fingers the other day at lunch.

“You have had a cold recently, haven’t you?” she says after a moment. “You tire easily,” she concludes, after asking me to stick out my tongue and pressing her fingers into my other wrist.

It was an unsettling way to start a meal, but that is how many at Clifford Herbal Cuisine begin. The restaurant, which opened two years ago in a hospital in Guangzhou, the southern Chinese city formerly known as Canton, serves a menu designed to adhere to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

Diners can opt to consult an on-site doctor of Chinese medicine, as I did, who will suggest certain dishes to help fix whatever ailments they might have. Or they can navigate the menu of more than 100 surprisingly tasty dishes, each labelled with its health benefits, on their own.

Read the story here