Acupuncture And Oriental Medicine Making Their Mark In The United States
Treating Autoimmune Disease with Acupuncture Over 50 million Americans suffer from autoimmune disease; an autoimmune disease occurs when the body?s immune system attacks healthy tissue.
Due to the complexity of treating autoimmune disorders, integrative medicine solutions including acupuncture and Oriental medicine have received much attention as successful therapies in their treatment. Acupuncture is specifically noted for its use in pain relief, regulating the immune system, managing symptoms and improving quality of life. ]]> Army To Include AOM for Pain Treatment [from Acupuncture Today, July 21, 2010]
The statistics are sobering, to say the least. According to leading pain specialists in the Veterans Administration, nine in 10 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans return home with some form of pain, and 60 percent have significant pain.1 Now, a recent announcement by top Army officials may help address this situation and provide our modern military forces with ancient forms of healing to help with pain relief.
On June 25, the Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, announced the release of a report by the Pain Management Task Force, which has 109 recommendations for changes in the way Army personnel are treated for pain. Among those recommendations are the inclusion of complementary and alternative treatments such as acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback and yoga. ]]> Is Cosmetic Acupuncture Effective for Aging? A major tenet of acupuncture is that to reflect beauty on the outside, you must be healthy on the inside. Cosmetic acupuncture is a unique method of facial rejuvenation based on this philosophy. And its popularity is growing among women in America.]]> Study: Acupuncture Improves Fertility in Men, Too Acupuncture Today
Previous research has shown that acupuncture can improve fertility levels in women. Fewer studies on male infertility have been conducted, although evidence suggests that acupuncture can have an effect on sperm production and quality, without causing any changes in behavior or sexual desire. ]]> Study Supports Acupuncture Effects In Pain Control The scientific validity of traditional Chinese medicine for pain treatment of pain received a nod of support in the May issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
Dr. Philip Lang and colleagues of the University of Munich used quantitative sensory testing to identify changes in pain sensitivity with acupuncture in 24 healthy volunteers. After applying acupuncture to the leg, the researchers found that pain thresholds increased by up to 50 percent. Effects were noted in both the treated leg and the untreated (contralateral) leg. ]]>
Approximately one-third (36%) of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a recent survey by the National Institutes of Health. Among the common CAM practices identified by the survey were acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, tai chi and qi gong. October 24 is Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day. It is part of an effort designed to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of and Oriental medicine. Many acupuncturists and Oriental medicine providers across the country are providing free or discounted treatments, open houses, educational seminars or other activities as part of this annual observance. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is supported by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which provides certification to and Oriental medicine practitioners who have completed an approved educational program and an examination process assessing their ability to provide safe and competent patient care. More information about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day and a directory of certified practitioners may be found at www.aomday.org..
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