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TMJ Acupuncture: A Path to Relief

Experiencing TMJ disorder (TMD or TMJD) can turn even the joy of biting into your favorite chocolate bar into a painful ordeal. TMJ disorder is a condition affecting the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to the skull. This joint’s dysfunction can lead to a range of symptoms, impacting one’s quality of life. Symptoms may include recurring headaches or migraines, tooth pain, and jaw discomfort to name a few.

Common treatments include occlusal splints, physical therapy, and medication with a various degree of success. But there’s an alternative on the horizon. A systematic review by Cho and Whang, published in the Journal of Orofacial Pain, shines a light on acupuncture. This ancient Chinese treatment shows promise in offering relief for TMD.

Their review published in Journal of Orofacial Pain encompassed 19 randomised controlled trials. The results were compelling. Acupuncture outperformed physical therapy and was more effective than both indomethacin plus vitamin B1 therapy and a wait-list control. Importantly, it was deemed safe, with no serious adverse events reported.

Acupuncture was compared against placebo in three studies. Again, the findings were strikingly persuasive. The therapeutic effects were notably beyond just a placebo effect.

Yet, the journey of understanding doesn’t end here. The review underscores the need for more comprehensive trials, with larger participant numbers and a focus on long-term results. This will deepen our understanding of acupuncture’s role in treating TMD, further integrating it into modern healthcare.

Acupuncture stands out as a natural, safe, and effective option for TMJ pain. In the realm of TMJ solutions, there’s a subtle but significant shift happening towards holistic treatments. Our acupuncture method, merging ancient wisdom with modern evidence, is at the forefront of this change.

If you or someone you love is struggling with the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder, the acupuncture we provide may offer the relief you’ve been seeking. This is our field of expertise – don’t miss out on our unique approach to TMJ relief. Meet our Auckland team and schedule a consultation with a qualified acupuncturist today. Take the first step towards a pain-free, balanced future. Your journey to wellness starts now.

Acupuncture for amblyopia or “lazy eye”

Amblyopia, better known as “lazy eye”, may affect up to 5% of the children. The condition is caused by the brain and one of the eyes not communicating properly. And this study to be published in the Journal of Opthalmology promises that acupuncture may be able to help to speed the recovery.

Lazy Eye or amblyopia Acupuncture

The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (DOVS) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Shantou University jointly conducted two clinical trials. 171 randomly chosen children who had lazy eyes were treated. Read more

Acupuncture treatment for heart failure

Acupuncture remarkably improves exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure says Dr Johannes Backs from University Hospital of Heidelberg in Germany.

His placebo-controlled study included 17 patients with congestive heart failure. The patients were randomised to receive acupuncture or placebo – a needle that simulates the procedure without piercing the skin.

No improvement in cardiac ejection fraction or peak oxygen uptake was seen. But the six-minute walk distance was ‘remarkably increased’ in the acupuncture group by 32m on average, compared to a drop of 1m in the placebo group.

Dr Johannes Backs said: ‘This is the first indication that acupuncture may improve exercise tolerance in CHF patients- when given in addition to optimised standard heart failure medication.’

Previous studies summarised by American researchers in Cardiology In Review have suggested that acupuncture could be sympatholytic in heart failure. They found that sympathetic activation during acute mental stress was virtually eliminated after acupuncture.

Another review published in Heart and Lung found that acupuncture was also holding a promise as a treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. According to the eight studies reviewed, 87% to 100% of participants converted to normal sinus rhythm after acupuncture.

(Ref: Cardiol Rev. 2004 May-Jun;12(3):171-3.; Heart doi:10.1136/hrt.2009.187930; Heart Lung. 2008 Nov-Dec;37(6):425-31. Epub 2008 Sep 11.)

The study can be found in Heart / British Medical Journal