Acupuncture Appears to be Effective for Insomnia

Acupuncture appears to be effective in the treatment of insomnia according to a systematic review and meta-analysis carried out by Chinese authors. Forty-six randomised trials involving 3811 patients were included and the methodological quality of trials was judged to be generally fair. Meta-analyses showed a beneficial effect for acupuncture compared with no treatment, and for real acupressure compared with sham acupressure. Acupuncture was superior to medication in terms of the number of patients whose total sleep duration increased by more than three hours. However, there was no difference between acupuncture and medication in average sleep duration compared to medication alone. Acupuncture plus medication showed a better effect on total sleep duration. Acupuncture plus herbs was significantly better than herbs alone in increase of sleep rate. The authors conclude that further large, rigorously designed trials are warranted. (Acupuncture for treatment of insomnia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Nov;15(11):1171-86). Compiled and abstracted by Lisa Sherman for The Journal of Chinese Medicine  

Cold and Flu Prevention Herbal Soup

Chinese herbs are effective for prevention and treatment of colds and flu. According to Oriental medicine, when one's internal energetic balance (homeostasis) is at optimum performance resistance to germs such as flu viruses remains strong. Since we cannot depend on the external environment to be free of pathogens or rely solely on flu vaccines, Chinese herbs are a viable alternative to help strengthen our immune system. Should you feel the onset of cold or flu like symptoms or would like to take preventative measures visit one of our centers in Visalia or Hanford for a healing herbal soup.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson gets Acupuncture  

We found this tidbit on stuff.co.nz, famed movie star Samuel L. Jackson gets regular acupuncture treatments. According to the article, Jackson, after having suffered many back injuries over the years finally resorted to surgery. During the surgery a coflex devise was implanted in his spine which allows him to move freely. The titanium hardware is designed to open and close so as to allow bending and turning. Before this procedure was developed surgery was done to fuse the affected vertabrae together permanately imparing normal range of motion. 

The 61 year old now relies on acupuncture treatments twice a week to stay in shape. He says he can't get enough of the stuff. "It's one of my favorite things. I get it all the time, like twice a week, for my well being," he told American talk show host Ellen Degeneres. "I just go in and get my 'waa' put in place, and get everything moving."

Study Finds Tai Chi an "Ideal Choice" for Improving Public Health

 To determine whether community-based tai chi programs are just as beneficial to individuals as exercises practiced in a clinical setting, researchers in Hong Kong recruited 100 people between the ages of 29 and 72 to participate in a 12 week tai chi class. The results of their study, published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, suggests that tai chi practiced in a community setting provides benefits comparable to those seen in laboratory trials, making it a viable option for improving public health and wellness.

The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a novice group of 51 patients with no formal experience in tai chi was selected to participate in a 12 week program, using the Chen 119 style of tai chi (described by the researchers as "a beginner's level, with a moderate level of intensity"). Classes were conducted at a residents association office at 7:30 a.m., three times weekly, with each session lasting 90 minutes. Instruction was provided by a qualified tai chi master, with four additional tai chi masters serving as assistants. Prior to the beginning of the program, and at the program's conclusion, the researchers measured the lung function and physical capacity levels of the novice group. Other factors, such as resting heart rate, blood pressure levels, flexibility and balance were measured at a baseline and at six and twelve week intervals.

Herbal Medicines Say No to Circulatory Disease 

Research from the USA suggets that traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHM's) used to treat cardiovascular disease may act by producing large amounts of nitric acid (NO). NO is a chemical messenger  molecule that is crucial to the cardiovascular system because of its vasodilatory action. It promotes blood flow through the heart and circulatory system, eliminates blood clots, lowers high blood pressure and reduces formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Many cardiovascular diseases are characterized by NO insufficiency. The scientists tested a number of TCHM's including single herbs including Dan Shen (Salviae miltiorrhizhae Radix) and Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus as well as herbal formulae - for their ability to produce NO. All of the TCHM's tested showed no bioactivity through their nitrite and nitrate content and their ability to produce nitrite to NO via the activity of the enzyme nitrite reductase. Many of the TCHM's were found to have nitrite reductase activity 1000 times greater than that of the biological tissues, providing a natural system for generation of nitrite oxide in the inner walls of the blood vessels and thus accounting for some of their therapeutic effects. Each of the TCHM's tested was also found to exert vasodilatory activity in the animal model. Free Radic Bio Med. 2009 Sep 15;47(6):835-40). Compiled and abstracted by Lisa Sherman for the Journal of Chinese Medicine.