I've been telling you ... knee pain? Acupuncture works! Research supports this.

Knee pain - pre and post surgery even - acupuncture works! All orthopedic surgeons and PTs should be referring to Chinese Medicine practitioners (in my opinion).

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/518-acupunctureceuskneestudynih

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For an appointment, call 303-947-6224 or write DrMLucas@AcupunctureWoman.com

Medicinal Chinese Herbs Really Do Help Prevent Diabetes

Many traditional Chinese herbal medicines can be effective in the prevention of diabetes, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Western Sydney, Australia, and published in the journal Cochrane Library has confirmed.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 16 previously published studies conducted on a total of 1,391 adults who suffered from either impaired glucose tolerance or fasting glucose, both of which lead to the mildly elevated blood sugar levels known as pre-diabetes and raise the risk of full-blown diabetes. In most of the studies, participants were assigned to control their blood sugar with either a combination of traditional Chinese herbal remedies and lifestyle changes or with lifestyle changes alone. A total of 15 different herbal mixes were tested, including Jiangtang Bushen, Xiaoke huaya and Tang Kang yin.

The researchers found that participants who took Chinese herbs were twice as likely to achieve normal blood sugar levels as those who used lifestyle changes alone, and two-thirds less likely to develop diabetes over the course of a given study. The average length of the studies examined was nine months.

None of the studies found any serious side effects to traditional Chinese formulations. Grant advised that anyone seeking to use traditional Chinese herbs take them under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Traditionally, Chinese Medicine practitioners have prescribed herbs based on the health history of a given patient, she noted. Therefore, it is not possible to recommend a collection of herbs that can be expected work for all people with a given condition.

Acupuncture reduces negative effect of stress on the body.

Have some stress in your life? Acupuncture reduces negative effect of stress on the body. I tell people this all the time but no Georgetown U says so!

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/473-acupuncturestressgeorgetownstudy

Your First Fertility Choice - Chinese Medicine as in vitro fertility treatments are tied to risk of ovarian cancer

Reported today in the Denver Post from the journal Human Reproduction: women whose ovaries are stimulated to produce extra eggs for in vitro fertilization have an increased risk of ovarian cancer later in life. The long-term risk for ovarian tumors is twice as high among women who undergo stimulation for in vitro fertilization compared with women who don't undergo such treatments to boost fertility. Lead researcher Professor Flora van Leeuwen said "If we find out that women who receive large doses of ovarian-stimulating drugs are at a greater risk for ovarian cancer, then these women would need to be in formed about these risks when continuing IVF treatment." Further research will be conducted to see if there is a connection between the risk of cancer and the number of IVF treatment cycles.

From a Chinese Medicine standpoint this is fascinating in that I have been telling my fertility patients for years that these medical procedures do two things: they create havoc in your hormonal system AND and they create qi and blood stagnation. What are tumors in Chinese Medicine? Qi and blood stagnation. And now this research shows that is true.

This is another example of how our bodies reject fooling around with our hormonal systems. Another example is the connection between Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in peri-menopausal women and the risk of cancer. And, in this case also, hot flashes and other symptoms or conditions that women deal with during this time of life can be successfully and safely treated using Chinese Medicine.

A third example of hormonal control is birth control pills. These have always been associated with a greater risk of blood clots and, in my humble opinion, are one of the reasons for this rash of fertility issues. If one begins to take hormones at 14 years old and takes them for 15 years, I wonder how it is thinkable that the body would then immediately go into a "normal" state to get pregnant.

There are natural, healthy ways to get the bodies of women AND men ready to conceive and support a successful pregnancy. Yes, MEN. The successful conception rate in my practice went up 30 to 40% when I insisted that the male partner also be treated. It's true .... getting pregnant is not all about the female.

New Study: 'MRI Acupuncture Research Shows Mind-Body Connection'

Quoting from Health CMI this week:

"New research concludes that 'acupuncture may function as a somatosensory-guided mind-body therapy.' The research compared MRI readings of real acupuncture with sham acupuncture (needle stimulation at non-acupuncture point locations) at acupuncture point P-6 (Neiguan, Inner Pass). The MRI imaging showed that true acupuncture yielded greater activity over sham acupuncture in the dorsomedial prefontal cortex of the brain. Real acupuncture produced significantly 'greater activity in both cognitive/evaluative (posterior dmPFC) and emotional/interoceptive (anterior dmPFC) cortical regions' and the MRI results showed that true acupuncture 'increased cognitive load.'1"

I think this is demonstrative of the effectiveness of acupuncture.

Link to the Health CMI posting