Last.ear, Medical News Today reported on a study published in AMA finding that acupuncture is not beneficial for knee pain . Although acupuncture has been frequently used for acute non-specific low back pain BP, relevant systematic reviews indicate sparse and inconclusive evidence. Finally, I should mention there's definitely dissension within the medical community and in scientific literature about this. An acupuncturist traditionally diagnoses a patient's problem by feeling three pulses on each wrist. gherkin DC, et al., Efficacy of acupuncture for chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. I decided to give acupuncture a shot, as I was discouraged and running out of options, and I am now a believer. “Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea: a randomized study on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in usual care.” Eduard Ernst, emeritus professor of complementary medicine at the Peninsula School of Medicine, University of Exeter, welcomed the new guidelines. The benefit was not just due to the placebo effect.” Concludes that acupuncture is a reasonable therapeutic option for chronic back pain, A, and headache but is not the clear therapy of choice. Herniated discs are a physical problem. The benefit was not just due to the placebo effect.” The reviewers scoured the medical literature for all studies involving acupuncture for treating low back pain. Open for consultation until 5 May, the final version of the guidelines is expected to be published in Setember. cupping Neural mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia. By limiting their review to the most robust studies published, the authors could assess with more confidence acupuncture's true effect on participants' reports of pain before and after treatment.” Scientists haven’t pinpointed a mechanism, but they think it might stimulate nerves that mute pain signals. However, the most effective way to really heal is to also include herbal formulas in the treatment plan and dietary treatment.   But does acupuncture really help these patients? A randomised controlled trial of acupuncture care for persistent low back pain: cost effectiveness analysis, BMW. 2006 Sep 23;3337569:626. In fact, that is how anti-inflammatory painkillers work, they positively influence prostaglandins.

Chen,. was shocked to have more feeling in my toes. Ann Intern Meg. 2005 19;1428:651-63. Neurohormones can affect the function or activity of an organ in the body. Find her on Twitter at @aliceparkny .