Meridians are real

Acupuncture meridians are real. See?

acupuncture-meridians-714289What you see on the photo on the left is acupuncture meridian. Korean scientists discovered a way to make pictures of acupuncture meridians to help visualise them.

Picture this: You’re in a world where modern technology collides with ancient knowledge, and the result is a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionise the field of medicine. Welcome to the fascinating realm of acupuncture and TCM research! We know it has happened before, a scientist researching TCM herbs for malaria named Tu Youyou a breakthrough in century tropical medicine, saving millions of lives. She is the first mainland Chinese scientist to have received a Nobel Prize. But let’s return to acupuncture meridians, shall we?

Acupuncture has long been recognised as an effective therapy, but the scientific basis behind its mechanisms remains elusive. Now, using magnetic nanoparticles, researchers have uncovered intriguing, threadlike structures that may be connected to acupuncture meridians – the physical basis of this centuries-old practice.

These mysterious structures were first proposed in the 1960s by Bong Han Kim, who claimed they floated inside blood and lymph vessels and formed a network throughout the body. However, until recently, no one had been able to produce solid evidence of their existence.

Enter the world of nanotechnology. By injecting fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles into lymph nodes and applying magnetic fields, scientists have been able to visualise these elusive structures for the first time. These nanoparticles, usually used for cellular-scale research, have opened the door to an unexplored territory, revealing threadlike structures that measure approximately 20 micrometres in thickness, previously undetectable with a light microscope.

Why is this discovery so significant? Unveiling these structures is the first crucial step towards understanding the physiological functions of acupuncture. With further research, we may be able to trace a new circulatory system within our bodies and apply this knowledge to drug delivery through acupuncture meridians.

Imagine a world where we can harness the power of magnetically controllable nanoparticles to investigate the mysteries of acupuncture and its effects on our bodies. This exciting breakthrough in nanotechnology could be a game-changer for both acupuncture research and Western medicine, paving the way for a deeper understanding of the hidden world within our bodies.

What is Acupuncture meridian?
If you have read anything about acupuncture you would have heard about acupuncture meridians. Acupuncture meridians are the lines which connect the acupuncture points with each other as well as with internal organs. Physiologically, these are the lines that the acupuncture sensation travels when acupuncture points are stimulated.

Reference: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 March; 4(1): 77–82

Acupuncture for parkinson's disease - the mechanism explained

Parkinson’s disease – acupuncture helps to regulate dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that plays a crucial role in transmitting signals within the brain and other areas of the body. It is involved in many essential functions, including movement, motivation, reward, and the regulation of mood.

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), dopamine-producing neurons in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra start to degenerate and die. This leads to a decline in dopamine levels, which disrupts the delicate balance of neurotransmitters needed for smooth and coordinated movement. As a result, the characteristic motor symptoms of PD, such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability, begin to manifest.

The primary treatment for Parkinson’s disease involves the use of medications that either replenish dopamine levels or mimic its effects.

To investigate the effect of acupuncture on dopamine levels, the lead researcher Sabina Lim at Kyung Hee University in Seoul used a standard mouse model of inducing Parkinson’s disease, in which injections of a chemical known as MPTP kill off brain cells that manufacture dopamine.

Some of the injected mice were then administered acupuncture specific to treatment of Parkinson’s. Another group of mice received acupuncture in two spots on the hips, not believed to be effective for Parkinson’s, while a third group had no acupuncture at all.

By the end of seven days, the MPTP injections had decreased dopamine levels, both in the mice that had not had acupuncture, and in the mice that received ‘pretend’ acupuncture, to about half the normal amount. But in the acupuncture-treated group, dopamine levels declined much less steeply, and nearly 80% of the dopamine remained.

The study has been published in Brain Research1. (ANI)

This groundbreaking research invites us to consider acupuncture’s hidden potential as an ally in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

NZ general practitioners embrace acupuncture

New Zealand GPs embrace acupuncture

In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, it is intriguing to observe the increasing incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into mainstream medical practice. A recent survey of 300 New Zealand general practitioners highlights a promising trend in the integration of acupuncture into their daily practice.

A Growing Interest in Acupuncture:

The survey unveiled that an impressive 95% of the participating doctors referred patients to one or more forms of complementary and alternative medicine, while 20% practiced these therapies themselves. Notably, acupuncture emerged as the most common CAM therapy practiced by GPs/family doctors in New Zealand.

Pursuing Education in CAM Therapies:

The study also shed light on the extent to which medical professionals pursued formal education in these areas. Thirty-two percent of respondents reported having undergone formal training, while 29% indicated they were self-educated in one or more CAM therapies.

The Future of CAM in Medical Education:

As the medical community increasingly recognises the potential of CAM therapies, such as acupuncture, it’s no surprise that a significant portion of surveyed doctors – 67% to be precise – expressed their belief that CAM should be included in conventional medical education as an overview.

Conclusion:

The integration of CAM therapies, particularly acupuncture, into New Zealand’s mainstream medical practice illustrates a growing recognition of the benefits these therapies offer. As medical professionals continue to pursue formal and informal education in these areas, we can anticipate a more holistic approach to healthcare that effectively combines conventional medicine with CAM therapies to provide the best possible care to patients.