What Acupuncture Can Teach Us About Science

 This is a great article from Huffington Post I wanted to share with everyone... Enjoy
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It turns out acupuncture works. It's not a placebo, and it's not a scam. It's a technique with documented efficacy.

I have little to say about the evidence involved, as I do not conduct such studies, but I do have two questions that I think need answering: Why did it take us so long to "discover" this, and why was there so much hostility among scientists toward even conducting these experiments?

A headline from The Atlantic tells the story: "Biological Implausibility Aside, Acupuncture Works."
The hostility came from the fact that acupuncture has no known causal mechanism, leading to an assumption that "we don't know how it would work; therefore it must not."

To an extent, this is a sensible approach to take. Given the thousands of potential hypotheses out there that don't conform to the way we believe the world works, why would we spend time investigating them instead of other more likely ideas? As a time management strategy, going with what you expect to work makes sense. The trouble is that, taken past a certain point, the notion of being hostile to an experiment because of your preconceived notions about the way the world works is as anti-scientific an approach as can be imagined.

This becomes particularly pernicious when the issues in question are championed by people outside the realm of what is socially acceptable in science -- a category that isn't supposed to exist but that self-evidently does. Even after we've read our Thomas Kuhn (and have sighed at how many active scientists refuse to think philosophy has anything to offer them), how do we make it easier for experiments with acupuncture to proceed while keeping climate change skeptics from tying up our labs and resources with endless experiments designed only to serve a political end?

This is a problem the scholars at Saybrook University know well. The faculty who founded the College of Mind-Body Medicine (now the School of Mind-Body Medicine) were some of the first researchers to get prestigious grants to study phenomena that, for decades, medical science refused to acknowledge existed. The techniques they are pioneering -- from using guided imagery to help cancer survivors to using biofeedback and meditation to reduce high blood pressure -- received the same kind of hostility acupuncture did (and still does) from the "respectable" scientific community, only to be even more clearly validated when the data were finally collected and examined.

The good news is that there is a culture change sweeping through Western medicine: recognition that the mind and body are connected in ways that the last generation's textbooks refused to acknowledge, and that better patient care requires integrative approaches to health.

The bad news is that the basic hostility to techniques that don't fit the old conceptual model is still very active and entrenched. I believe it begins all too often in our graduate curricula, where scientific imagination is frequently seen as an attack on received wisdom.

The solution, I think, comes from having humility in the face of our theories, and from giving our students a little more room to graze off the ranch, where they are likely to be wrong in useful ways and have the potential to teach us something truly new. The world is still a more interesting and undiscovered country than we have yet realized, and there is still plenty of room for it to surprise us. To the extent that this gives some shelter to opponents of climate change and evolution, we must be cautious, but it is also essential to conducting good science -- science able to ask questions that don't fit with its preconceptions.

If we want science to advance, we need to give it room to grow, and that means room to conduct experiments that are rigorous and well-developed but on the cutting edge. The benefits outweigh the inconvenience, and the truth itself may often prove inconvenient.

 Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-schulman/what-acupuncture-can-teach-us-about-science_b_1982479.html



By:

Mark Schulman

President, Saybrook University

Happy New Year!

I have to say, I'm happy to see this holiday season come to a close. It's been a blast, but I'm ready to get back to work and continue on my path. But let's stay in the moment and worry about tomorrow tomorrow. :) Tonight I hope everyone has a great time, stays safe, and finds someone to kiss at midnight.

See you in 2013!

For those of you who plan on drinking, here's a quickie on how to avoid a nasty hangover:


6 Steps to Avoid a Hangover
Posted on December 6, 2012 by Jenna Birch

‘Tis the season for holiday festivities — and for calling off work when drinking gets a bit out of hand. A new survey from Caron Treatment Centers, a facility for drug and alcohol addiction, found that 64 percent of Americans have called in sick because of a hangover after a holiday party, or know someone who has.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Caron, asked more than 2,000 adults aged 21 and over about the behavior they exhibited and observed after attending a holiday party. In addition to 64 percent calling off work, 61 percent of those surveyed also said they had come into work late or left work early the next day, or knew someone who had. While toughing out a hangover at work, 46 percent had trouble completing their day-to-day tasks.

Productivity is a concern, as your boss may take notice if you’re consistently falling behind. “The biggest takeaway is that, especially when we’re facing a fiscal cliff and dealing with a dangerous economic atmosphere, people shouldn’t take this sort of risk with their livelihoods,” says clinical psychologist Harris Stratyner, Ph.D., Vice President of New York Clinical Regional Services at Caron Treatment Centers.

The good news is that it’s possible to enjoy a drink (or two) without putting your career (or your next-day happiness) at risk. Just make sure to follow these tips to minimize any damage:

Don’t Make It a Competition
Don’t try to keep up with the guys. Female body composition has a higher fat-to-water ratio than men, so women get inebriated quicker.

Set Limits Beforehand
Before you go out, tell yourself that you’re stopping at two. This way you’ve made a decision while sober that you’re more likely to stick to later, when your judgment is a bit more impaired. A suggestion: “A good rule of thumb is to never have more than two drinks,” Stratyner says. And that means two of any kind of alcohol, whether it’s a glass of wine or a shot of vodka.

Drink Clear
The kind of alcohol you drink matters. Stick to clear liquids, rather than dark ones. That’s because clear liquors, like rum, vodka and gin, have fewer congeners, a fermentation byproduct. Congener-rich drinks like brandy, cognac, whiskey, and tequila are more likely to make you feel ill the day after. Also, avoid sugary drinks and carbonated beverages, like fruity cocktails or champagne, which are absorbed in the bloodstream faster and will get you intoxicated in a hurry.

Keep Eating
The adage still holds true: never drink on an empty stomach. Dr. Stratyner always recommends, “eating both before you drink and while you’re drinking” to avoid repercussions. Your best bet? Nosh on some asparagus before the party, or order some at dinner to have with your wine. Research from Korea found that extracts taken from asparagus leaves and shoots increased the amount of an enzyme used to break down alcohol.

Alternate Sips
Instead of drinking exclusively alcohol at parties, alternate virgin beverages to slow yourself down. Water is best for cleansing your body, so aim to consume at least 8 ounces of water for every alcoholic drink. Also, switching back and forth between alcohol and water slows down your rate of consumption, which helps in keeping you from getting too drunk, too fast.

Keep Chugging in the Morning
If you go too far, the next-morning miracle cure is the same as the night-of preventative measure. Many of the major symptoms of hangover have to do with being totally dehydrated. And the best way to fix that? “One word: water,” says Stratyner. “Drink clear water, as much as you possibly can. It will help flush the alcohol out of the system.”

Link: http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/thisjustin/6-steps-to-avoid-a-hangover/

Merry Christmas from Spot of Qi and Mister and Misses Claus!

Acupuncture Reverses Plantar Fasciitis - New Research

So many people suffer from mild to moderate plantar fasciitis with pain ranging from the arch just below the ball of the foot to pain in the bottom/back of the heel. Often times it can be reduced with proper stretching, strengthening, and shoe choices; however, this isn't enough for everybody and in those cases acupuncture and herbal medicine can be an amazing relief. The article below demonstrates just one treatment protocol for this condition and it's great success in relieving symptoms.  
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New research concludes that acupuncture is effective for treating plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammatory foot condition. Plantar fasciitis typically presents with pain on the underside of the foot and heel. The pain is often most severe when first stepping out of bed onto the floor in the morning. Another telltale sign of plantar fasciitis is pain upon dorsiflexion, lifting the foot towards the shin.
HealthCMi News 
In this controlled clinical investigation, the acupuncture group demonstrated a significant reduction in foot pain while the control group showed only minimal changes. The control group received five weeks of analgesic medications, stretching exercises and shoe modifications. The acupuncture group received the same therapies plus electro-acupuncture treatments. The researchers concluded that, “Electro-acupuncture coupled with conventional treatments provided a success rate of 80% in chronic planar fasciitis which was more effective than conventional treatments alone.”

Another recent study demonstrates that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of plantar heel pain. The researchers note that acupuncture has more significant improvements in both pain relief and the restoration of function than a standard regime of care that includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Based on these findings, the researchers formally recommend acupuncture for the treatment of plantar heel pain.

In yet another study, investigators concluded that acupuncture at acupoint P7 (Daling, “Big Tomb”) relieves the pain of plantar fasciitis. P7 is located in the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist. P7 is a Shu-Stream point and Yuan (Primary) acupuncture point that is known for the treatment of Heart and Spirit related issues including myocarditis, palpitations, insomnia, mental illness, irritability, and cardiac pain. P7 is also used for Stomach related conditions, however, nearby point P6 is a more common point for the treatment of Stomach issues such as stomachache, nausea, and vomiting.

According to Chinese medicine and acupuncture theory, Shu-Stream points treat a heavy sensation of the of the body and painful joints. P7 is therefore a common point for the treatment of wrist pain because it is a Shu-Stream point located at the wrist . However, the researchers have chosen P7 for the wrist’s distal relationship to the ankle and heel region. At a six month follow-up examination, the P7 acupuncture group showed a significant improvement over the control group.

Plantar fasciitis affects approximately 2 million US citizens annually. These findings demonstrate that acupuncture is an important treatment modality for inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. Advantages to acupuncture treatment are that it is both safe, acupuncture is nontoxic and is nonsurgical, and effective.

References:
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, An International Journal of Comparative Medicine East and West. Efficacy of Electro-Acupuncture in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Wipoo Kumnerddee and Nitsara Pattapong. Volume 40, Issue 06, 2012.
Shi Ping Zhang, Tsui-Pik Yip, and Qiu-Shi Li.  Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow-Up. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative, Medicine, Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 154108.

Acupunct Med. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2012-010183. The effectiveness of acupuncture for plantar heel pain: a systematic review. Richard James Clark, Maria Tighe.\

Link: http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/661-acupunctureceusplantarfasciitisea

Ear Acupuncture

Ear acupuncture is commonly used as an adjunct to full body acupuncture, particularly in cases dealing with emotional disorders (i.e. stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder), weight loss, pain, and addiction. However, it is also a great option for people who are on a tighter income and want to receive more frequent and low-cost acupuncture.

Dr. Paul Nogier, a French neurologist considered the "Father of Auriculotherapy", introduced the inverted fetus map (seen to the left) in the 1950's which is used to demonstrate the point arrangement in the ear. During fetal development the brain, spinal cord, and what will later become the ear all develop at the same time. When acupuncture points in the ear are stimulated, the brain is activated and sends a signal to the corresponding part of the body.

Anywho, AcuTake wrote a great article about the NADA ear acupuncture protocol and it's many uses. I highly recommend giving it a read if you're interested in learning more about ear acupuncture and its many applications.

And if you're interested in receiving ear acupuncture, you can always come to Spot of Qi and try it out!


Here's an excerpt from AcuTake's article, enjoy!:

Ear Acupuncture For the Masses

By Ryan Bemis

Acupuncture is becoming more accessible—one ear at a time.
Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular acupuncture, is the most widely used form of acupuncture within Western health settings in the United States and Europe.

This is due in part to the fact that some ear acupuncture protocols can be performed by non-acupuncturists. Standardized ear protocols are safely taught to existing healthcare workers who can easily integrate them as part of their clinical practice within hospitals, and mental health and addiction clinics. In the military, personnel are trained in ear acupuncture protocols to address pain and trauma symptoms in soldiers.

Perhaps the most established model of ear acupuncture today is a protocol known as NADA....
 
Read the whole article here: http://acutakehealth.com/ear-acupuncture-for-the-masses