Acupuncture Contributions by Olivia Cerf

Acupuncture

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, life force circulates in the body along 12 major energy pathways called meridians. There are over 1000 acupoints within the meridian system that can be stimulated to optimize the flow of the life force or qi. Acupuncture is the use of tiny needles to direct qi to the places within the body where it is lacking or stagnant. It has almost no known side effects, and can be used to treat any illness or simply as a health maintenance or preventive measure.

Acupuncture shown promising potential to improve several symptoms of menopause. Symptoms for which it has been shown to be effective include hot flashes, insomnia, and depression.

Read more about natural solutions for the midlife transition here.

Hall, Elise et al. “Non-Hormonal Treatment Strategies for Vasomotor Symptoms: A Critical Review,” Drugs 71, no 3 (2011): 287-304.

Borud, Einar Kristian MD, MPH et al. “The Acupuncture on Hot Flushes Among Menopausal Women (ACUFLASH) study, a randomized controlled trial,” Menopause 16, no. 3 (2009): 484-493. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31818c02ad

Dormaenen, Annbjorg. “Depression in postmenopause: a study on a subsample of the Acupuncture on Hot Flushes Among Menopausal Women (ACUFLASH) study,” Menopause 18, no. 5 (2011): pp. 525-530. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181f9f89f

Xu, Hong et al. “A study on Tai Ji exercise and traditional Chinese medical modalities in relation to bone structure, bone function and menopausal symptoms,” Journal of Chinese Medicine, no. 74 (2004) : 10-14.

A 2011 randomized control study on 267 women compared guided self-care (control) with individualized acupuncture treatment (experiment). The experiment group received 10 treatments in twelve weeks, in addition to a one-page leaflet recommending soy, herbs, physical activity, relaxation techniques, and decreasing alcohol and tobacco consumption. The control group received only the leaflet. Both groups were encouraged to use any or all of the recommendations in the leaflet.

Participants were eligible if they reported having seven or more severe hot flashes at least seven days in a row.

The acupuncture group reported the following statistically significant improvements:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of hot flashes
• Improved self-reported health assessment
• Improved sleep
• Better mood
• Less fatigue
• Higher energy levels

Hot flash frequency and intensity went down in both groups:

Acupuncture group

• Frequency: down 5.8 per 24 hours
• Intensity: down 3.2 units

Self-care only group

• Frequency: down 3.7 per 24 hours
• Intensity: down 1.8 units

58% of acupuncture patients in this study reported greater than fifty percent reduction in hot flash frequency.

A small study comparing Tai Chi, Chinese herbs, and acupuncture and their effect on bone density and menopause symptoms. Each of the 14 participants received 32 half-hour sessions using uniform treatment over a period of four months.

Using broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), researchers found that the balance between bone formation and resorption improved, meaning that bone density improved slightly after acupuncture.
There were also statistically significant improvements in the following common symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Headache
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Lower back pain
• Thirst

Acupuncture

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, life force circulates in the body along 12 major energy pathways called meridians. There are over 1000 acupoints within the meridian system that can be stimulated to optimize the flow of the life force or qi. Acupuncture is the use of tiny needles to direct qi to the places within the body where it is lacking or stagnant. It has almost no known side effects, and can be used to treat any illness or simply as a health maintenance or preventive measure.

Acupuncture shown promising potential to improve several symptoms of menopause. Symptoms for which it has been shown to be effective include hot flashes, insomnia, and depression.

Read more about natural solutions for the midlife transition here.

A 2011 randomized control study on 267 women compared guided self-care (control) with individualized acupuncture treatment (experiment). The experiment group received 10 treatments in twelve weeks, in addition to a one-page leaflet recommending soy, herbs, physical activity, relaxation techniques, and decreasing alcohol and tobacco consumption. The control group received only the leaflet. Both groups were encouraged to use any or all of the recommendations in the leaflet.

Participants were eligible if they reported having seven or more severe hot flashes at least seven days in a row.

The acupuncture group reported the following statistically significant improvements:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of hot flashes
• Improved self-reported health assessment
• Improved sleep
• Better mood
• Less fatigue
• Higher energy levels

Hot flash frequency and intensity went down in both groups:

Acupuncture group

• Frequency: down 5.8 per 24 hours
• Intensity: down 3.2 units

Self-care only group

• Frequency: down 3.7 per 24 hours
• Intensity: down 1.8 units

58% of acupuncture patients in this study reported greater than fifty percent reduction in hot flash frequency.

A small study comparing Tai Chi, Chinese herbs, and acupuncture and their effect on bone density and menopause symptoms. Each of the 14 participants received 32 half-hour sessions using uniform treatment over a period of four months.

Using broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), researchers found that the balance between bone formation and resorption improved, meaning that bone density improved slightly after acupuncture.
There were also statistically significant improvements in the following common symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Headache
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Lower back pain
• Thirst

Acupuncture

According to traditional Traditional Chinese medicineMedicine, life force circulates in the body along 12 major energy pathways called meridians. There are over 1000 acupoints within the meridian system that can be stimulated to optimize the flow of the life force or qi. Acupuncture is the use of tiny needles to direct qi to the places within the body where it is lacking or stagnant. It has almost no known side effects, and can be used to treat any illness or simply as a health maintenance or preventive measure.

Acupuncture shown promising potential to improve several of symptoms of menopause. Symptoms for which it has been shown to be effective include hot flashes, insomnia, and depression][4].

Read more about [ natural solutions for the midlife transition here.

Hall, Elise et al. “Non-Hormonal Treatment Strategies for Vasomotor Symptoms: A Critical Review,” Drugs 71, no 3 (2011): 287-304.

Borud, Einar Kristian MD, MPH et al. “The Acupuncture on Hot Flushes Among Menopausal Women (ACUFLASH) study, a randomized controlled trial,” Menopause 16, no. 3 (2009): 484-493. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31818c02ad

Dormaenen, Annbjorg. “Depression in postmenopause: a study on a subsample of the Acupuncture on Hot Flushes Among Menopausal Women (ACUFLASH) study,” Menopause 18, no. 5 (2011): pp. 525-530. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181f9f89f

Xu, Hong et al. “A study on Tai Ji exercise and traditional Chinese medical modalities in relation to bone structure, bone function and menopausal symptoms,” Journal of Chinese Medicine, no. 74 (2004) : 10-14.

A 2011 randomized control study on 267 women compared guided self-care (control) with individualized acupuncture treatment (experiment). The experiment group received 10 treatments in twelve weeks, in addition to a one-page leaflet recommending soy, herbs, physical activity, relaxation techniques, and decreasing alcohol and tobacco consumption. The control group received only the leaflet. Both groups were encouraged to use any or all of the recommendations in the leaflet.

Participants were eligible if they reported having seven or more severe hot flashes at least seven days in a row.

The acupuncture group reported the following statistically significant improvements:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of hot flashes
• Improved self-reported health assessment
• Improved sleep
• Better mood
• Less fatigue
• Higher energy levels

Hot flash frequency and intensity went down in both groups:

Acupuncture group

• Frequency: down 5.8 per 24 hours
• Intensity: down 3.2 units

Self-care only group

• Frequency: down 3.7 per 24 hours
• Intensity: down 1.8 units

58% of acupuncture patients in this study reported greater than fifty percent reduction in hot flash frequency.

A small study comparing Tai Chi, Chinese herbs, and acupuncture and their effect on bone density and menopause symptoms. Each of the 14 participants received 32 half-hour sessions using uniform treatment over a period of four months.

Using broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), researchers found that the balance between bone formation and resorption improved, meaning that bone density improved slightly after acupuncture.
There were also statistically significant improvements in the following common symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Headache
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Lower back pain
• Thirst

Acupuncture

n][4].

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, life force circulates in the body along 12 major energy pathways called meridians. There are over 1000 acupoints within the meridian system that can be stimulated to optimize the flow of the life force or qi. Acupuncture is the use of tiny needles to direct qi to the places within the body where it is lacking or stagnant. It has almost no known side effects, and can be used to treat any illness or simply as a health maintenance or preventive measure.

Acupuncture shown promising potential to improve several symptoms of menopause. Symptoms for which it has been shown to be effective include hot flashes, insomnia, and depression.

Read more about natural solutions for the midlife transition here.

¹Freire, Anaflavia et al. “Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial,” Sleep Medicine 8, no 1 (Jan 2007): 43-50.

¹Freire, Anaflavia et al. “Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial,” Sleep Medicine 8, no 1 (Jan 2007): 43-50. ¹Freire, Anaflavia et al. “Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial,” Sleep Medicine 8, no 1 (Jan 2007): 43-50.

Acupuncture can help with weight loss. Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risk factors, so when it comes to natural sleep apnea treatment weight loss, if necessary, is the first step. Acupuncture can help with weight loss. Acupuncture also helps with stress reduction and anxiety, which my also be risk factors. There are acupuncture points which focus on mucus reduction, and the whole treatment is designed to enhance the flow of energy in the body. This may improve the muscle tone of the back of the throat, which can prevent that area from collapsing.

In a 2007 study on acupuncture and sleep apnea treatment, subjects were given acupuncture for half an hour a week for ten weeks, then compared to a control group receiving placebo acupuncture. Outcome was measured using

• sleep studies (a.k.a polysomnography)
• a survey on functional quality of life
• a survey on daytime sleepiness.

The acupuncture points used in this study were those traditionally used for

• general tonification of the body’s energy
• somnolence
• rhinitis
• throat diseases

Compared with the placebo group, patients receiving acupuncture experienced a significant decrease in the number of respiratory events per night. Dimensions of the quality of life and daytime sleepiness surveys also improved compared with the control group.¹

Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risk factors for sleep apnea. Acupuncture may , so when it comes to natural sleep apnea treatment weight loss, if necessary, is the first step. Acupuncture can help with weight loss. Acupuncture also helps with stress reduction and anxiety, which my also be risk factors. There are acupuncture points which focus on mucus reduction, and the whole treatment is designed to enhance the flow of energy in the body. This may improve the muscle tone of the back of the throat, which can prevent that area from collapsing.

In a 2007 study on acupuncture and sleep apnea treatment, subjects were given acupuncture for half an hour a week for ten weeks, then compared to a control group receiving placebo acupuncture. Outcome was measured using

• sleep studies (a.k.a polysomnography)
• a survey on functional quality of life
• a survey on daytime sleepiness.

The acupuncture points used in this study were those traditionally used for

• general tonification of the body’s energy
• somnolence
• rhinitis
• throat diseases

Compared with the placebo group, patients receiving acupuncture experienced a significant decrease in the number of respiratory events per night. Dimensions of the quality of life and daytime sleepiness surveys also improved compared with the control group.¹

¹Freire, Anaflavia et al. “Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial,” Sleep Medicine 8, no 1 (Jan 2007): 43-50.

In a 2007 study on acupuncture and sleep apnea treatment, subjects were given acupuncture for half an hour a week for ten weeks, then compared to a control group receiving placebo acupuncture. Outcome was measured using

• sleep studies (a.k.a polysomnography)
• a survey on functional quality of life
• a survey on daytime sleepiness.

The acupuncture points used in this study were those traditionally used for

• general tonification of the body’s energy
• somnolence
• rhinitis
• throat diseases

Compared with the placebo group, patients receiving acupuncture experienced a significant decrease in the number of respiratory events per night. Dimensions of the quality of life and daytime sleepiness surveys also improved compared with the control group.¹

Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risk factors, so when it comes to natural sleep apnea treatment weight loss, if necessary, is the first step. Acupuncture can help with weight loss. Acupuncture also helps with stress reduction and anxiety, which my also be risk factors. There are acupuncture points which focus on mucus reduction, and the whole treatment is designed to enhance the flow of energy in the body. This may improve the muscle tone of the back of the throat, which can prevent that area from collapsing.