Weight control

Chemotherapy

Cancer

Allergy

Skin Problem

Eczema


Facial Needle

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Weight Control With Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

 

By Dr. Kuan-Chung Chou, Ph.D, LAC

TrendCare.com

 During the past 10 years, overweight and obesity rates have risen significantly in the United States. The NationalCenter for Health Statistics reports that 30 percent of U.S. adults are obese. Sixteen percent of children aged 6–19 years are considered overweight.

 Being overweight increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, high total cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, endometrial cancers, breast cancers, colon cancers and osteoarthritis. Obesity is more than an individual clinical condition; it is increasingly viewed as a serious public health problem.

 There are medical acupuncture study findings which indicate that auricular (ear) acupuncture at designated points, in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, can be effective in treating obesity. Further, according to an Australian medical periodical, stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points can be an effective method of appetite suppression, which leads to weight loss.

 Studies which compared the effect of dieting alone with patients who also received acupuncture treatments showed that the acupuncture group lost considerably more weight, according to reportsin the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1993. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to suppress appetite.

 Research indicates that ear acupuncture at designated points, in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, is effective in treating obesity. In addition, electro-acupuncture may be an effective therapy for the psychological signs and symptoms of obesity in women. In one study, 165 volunteer women participated in the study. They were divided into three groups: placebo, electroacupuncture(EA), and diet restriction. There was a 4.8% reduction in weight of patients with EA application, whereas patients with a diet restriction and placebo EA had a 2.5% and 2.7% weight reduction, respectively. There were significant decreases in phobia, anger, anxiety, obsession, paranoid symptoms and depression in the electroacupuncture groups compared to those of the placebo and diet groups.

   It has been observed that acupuncture excites the part of the hypothalamus related to satiation, which may explain its effect on appetite. Also, stimulation of acupoints causes an endorphin release, which can relax the patient, help them regain their willpower and build their resistance to the temptation to eat. From a Chinese medical perspective, acupuncture and herbs can help reduce appetite, improve metabolism and reduce stress, by balancing a patient’s metabolism and making it more efficient. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective, not dangerous and have fewer side effects than surgery and some medication.

    If you have a weight problem, a combination of acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be helpful in helping you lose weight and keep it off.

  

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Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Reduce Side Effects of Chemotherapy

 

By Dr. Kuan-Chung Chou, Ph.D, LAC

TrendCare.com

 

    Acupuncture is a scientifically accepted method for treating pain. Now more information is available about the success of acupuncture in treating cancer-related pain and in minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting of varying intensity is a very common side-effect ofchemotherapy.

 

Most cancer patients, who undergo chemotherapy, receive anti-nausea medication, but still experience frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting.  Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture have been proven to reduce the severity and the number of nausea and vomiting episodes in cancer patients.  Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles at various points around the body.  Electro-acupuncture involves inserting needles and then passing a electrical current through them.   

A study that was conducted at the University of California (UCLA) School of Medicine, revealed significant reduction of nausea and vomiting in patients who were pre-treated with acupuncture. Currently, acupuncture is routinely administered before, after and in between chemotherapy treatment sessions for control of nausea and vomiting.  Such treatments are relatively simple and easily executed in an outpatient setting. Acupuncture does not have side effects compared to standard anti-nausea medications. It also may help boost the immune system, reduce pain and consequently give patients a sense of well-being.

A similar study was carried out at the National Institutes of Health, where thirty-seven patients were given intense electro-acupuncture, and 33 other patients received less intense form of acupuncture. Both groups also received anti-nausea medications. The last group of 34 patients only received anti-nausea medications. In a span of five days, the average number of sickness episodes in the intense acupuncture group was five, 10 in the group that received less intense acupuncture, and 15 in patients who only took conventional medications.  This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers are now recommending that hospitals offer acupuncture to patients suffering from nausea and vomiting.

The effects of Chinese herbal medicine have also been tested in regard to patients who experience side effects of chemotherapy.  Researchers from Hong Cong, China, and England’s University of Birmingham set up a study with 120 patients.  Each patient had a trained herbalist assessing the patient’s intake of herbal medicine.  Patients were divided in two groups; where one group received Chinese herbal treatment and the other was give inactive placebo.  The researchers found that nausea was experienced in 14.6 percent of patients receiving Chinese herbs, and in 35.7 percent of patients in the control group.  The researchers suggest that the use of Chinese herbal medicine may “have a significant impact on control of nausea.”

Clinical trials are studying the effects of acupuncture on cancer and symptoms caused by cancer treatment, including weight loss, weakness, headaches, cough, chest pain, digestive problems, night sweats, dry mouth, speech problems, and fluid retention in arms or legs. Studies have shown that, for many patients, treatment with acupuncture either relieves symptoms or keeps them from getting worse.

Chemotherapy provides hope to many patients, but it also carries debilitating side effects. Acupuncture can help patients improve their overall health, alleviate pain associated with cancer, and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

If you undergo chemotherapy, we suggest you talk to your physician about possible side effects. If you are looking for non-pharmacological therapies, a combination of acupuncture and herbs may be of interest to you.

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Cancer and Traditional Chinese Medicine

 

By Dr. Kuan-Chung Chou, Ph.D, LAC

TrendCare.com

Now more information is available about the success of  tradictional  Chinese Medicine in treating cancer-related problem and in minimizing the side effects of cancer therapy. Clinical trials are studying the effects of acupuncture on cancer and symptoms caused by cancer treatment, including weight loss, weakness, headaches, cough, chest pain, digestive problems, night sweats, dry mouth, speech problems, and fluid retention in arms or legs. Studies have shown that, for many patients, treatment with acupuncture either relieves symptoms or keeps them from getting worse.

A study that was conducted at the University of California (UCLA) School of Medicine, revealed significant reduction of nausea and vomiting in patients who were pre-treated with acupuncture. Currently, acupuncture is routinely administered before, after and in between chemotherapy treatment sessions for control of nausea and vomiting.  Such treatments are relatively simple and easily executed in an outpatient setting. Acupuncture does not have side effects compared to standard anti-nausea medications. It also may help boost the immune system, reduce pain and consequently give patients a sense of well-being.

A similar study was carried out at the National Institutes of Health, where thirty-seven patients were given intense electro-acupuncture, and 33 other patients received less intense form of acupuncture. Both groups also received anti-nausea medications. The last group of 34 patients only received anti-nausea medications. In a span of five days, the average number of sickness episodes in the intense acupuncture group was five, 10 in the group that received less intense acupuncture, and 15 in patients who only took conventional medications.  This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers are now recommending that hospitals offer acupuncture to patients suffering from nausea and vomiting.

The effects of Chinese herbal medicine have also been tested in regard to patients who experience side effects of chemotherapy.  Researchers from Hong Cong, China, and England’s University of Birmingham set up a study with 120 patients.  Each patient had a trained herbalist assessing the patient’s intake of herbal medicine.  Patients were divided in two groups; where one group received Chinese herbal treatment and the other was give inactive placebo.  The researchers found that nausea was experienced in 14.6 percent of patients receiving Chinese herbs, and in 35.7 percent of patients in the control group.  The researchers suggest that the use of Chinese herbal medicine may “have a significant impact on control of nausea.”

A similar study was carried out at Swedish study. The study shows acupuncture can reduces frequency of cancer therapy induced male hot flashes. Hot flashes, a problem for about 80 percent of men being treated for prostate cancer with hormone therapy, were reduced 50 to 70 percent in frequency and intensity by acupuncture treatments. A phase II clinical trial examining the effects of acupuncture on male hot flashes began in 2004, as well, at the Oregon Health and ScienceUniversity. The study is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
Source: Oregon Health & Science University

http://www.ohsu.edu/ohsuedu/newspub/releases/Acupuncture-Study-Helps-Men-With-Hot-Flashes.cfm

Another cancer center study find ginseng, Chinese herb, may improve survival and quality of life after a diagnosis of breast cancer, according to a recent study by Vanderbilt-Ingram cancer center researchers. The large epidemiological study, led by Xiao-Ou Shu, M.D., Ph.D., was published online recently in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

 The Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, which has followed 1,455 breast cancer patients in Shanghai since 1996. For the current study, Shu and colleagues evaluated breast cancer patients for ginseng use both before and after their diagnosis of breast cancer. All patients who used ginseng had received at least one type of conventional cancer therapy – i.e., surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

 At follow up three to four years after diagnosis, they found significant improvements in both survival and quality of life measures ( i.e., physical, psychological, social and material well-being.) in patients who used ginseng. The research was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute.

 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/news/releases?id=25335

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=4580
 

Another study showed that Chinese herbal medicine may increase effectiveness of lung cancer chemotherapy. A combined analysis of 34 studies suggests that Astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine may increase the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Researchers combined information from 34 published clinical trials. These trials enrolled a total of 2815 patients. The researchers assessed whether Astragalus-based herbal medicine increased the effectiveness and decreased the toxicity of standard platinum-based chemotherapy.

 At 12 months, risk of death was reduced by 33% among patients treated with Astragalus-based herbal medicine and chemotherapy, compared to patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Tumor response to treatment was increased by 34% among patients treated with Astragalus-based herbal medicine and chemotherapy. Patients treated with Astragalus-based herbal medicine and chemotherapy were more likely to experience a stable or improved level of functioning.

 The researchers conclude that "Astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine may increase effectiveness (ie improving survival, tumor response, and performance status) and reduce toxicity of standard platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer."

 http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/news.aspx?id=36002

http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/CancerNews.aspx?DocumentId=36002

 

According to a UCSF study shows massage and acupuncture are effective in decreasing pain and depression following surgery in cancer patients.  Study results showed a greater decrease in both pain and depressive mood in the group that underwent massage and acupuncture therapy along with usual care. The study was conducted at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine.

 http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/news/story.asp?newsId=1697

Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, March 2007

Conventional cancer therapy provides hope to many patients, but it also carries debilitating side effects. Acupuncture can help patients improve their overall health, alleviate pain associated with cancer, and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

If you undergo cancer therapy, we suggest you talk to your physician about possible side effects. If you are looking for non-pharmacological therapies, a combination of acupuncture and herbs may be of interest to you.

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Allergy

By Dr. Kuan-Chung Chou, Ph.D, LAC

TrendCare.com

An allergy is an abnormal reaction triggered by immune system. The medicine drugs may relieve the symptoms, but they cannot cure the root cause of allergy and can not improve our immune system.

Acupuncture and Herbal medicine is effective healing method to eliminate allergy. The modern scientific explain that acupuncture and herbal medicine stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the body and strengthen the body resistance and balances the body antigen-antibody reaction.

  • Treat symptoms and the root cause of decease

  • Detoxifies the body

  • Strengthens the immune system

  • Holistic treatment

  • Personalized approach

  • Treat allergies and allergic reactions

  • Seasonal allergies

  • Food allergies

  • Asthma

  • Chronic sinusitis

Usually after 3-5 treatments of acupuncture, the symptoms will greatly decrease. To strengthen the immune system, better take the specific herbal formula and acupuncture before the allergy seasons.

Reference

Immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of allergic asthma: a randomized controlled study

Joos S, Schott C, Zou H, Daniel V, Martin E.

Department of Anaesthetics, University of Heidelberg, Germany.

OBJECTIVE:

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture is a suitable treatment for complex chronic diseases such as bronchial asthma. In a randomized, controlled study we investigated immunologic effects of Chinese acupuncture on patients with allergic asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effects of acupuncture treatment given according to the principles of TCM (TCM group, n = 20) were compared with those of acupuncture treatment using points not specific for asthma (control group, n = 18).

CONCLUSION:

The results imply that asthma patients benefit from acupuncture treatment given in addition to conventional therapy. Furthermore, acupuncture performed in accordance with the principles of TCM showed significant immune-modulating effects.

 

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Dr. Kuan-Chung Chou, Ph.D, OMD, LAc.  周冠中 博士

Ph.D, OMD, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China,  北京中醫藥大學醫學博士

 

Fairfax, VA; Rockville, Maryland

 

Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupressure

 

Infertility, IVF Acupuncture, Pain, Depression, Weight control, Allergy