East-West Medicine

Acupuncture, acupressure, and massage, along with issues facing TCM translations and development in the U.S. and worldwide.

• Introduction to Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
  This is a brief introduction to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This article explores the history, basic function, uses, and safety aspects of the TENS unit, a small battery-operated device that uses low-voltage current to relieve pain.
  
• Why is knee meniscus surgery no better than placebo? An East-West explanation.
  In December of 2013, the New England Journal of Medicine published a randomized controlled trial demonstrating that partial meniscectomy was no better than a sham procedure involving just the arthroscopy. Interestingly, typical knee acupuncture involves fine needle insertion into locations that include those used by arthroscopic instruments in both treatment and control groups of this study. We should consider that the authors may have inadvertently provided a very strong knee-specific acupuncture-type treatment with their instruments, and this may account for some of what was referred to as the “placebo effect” in the trial.
  
• How Acupuncture Relieves Stress
  A new study by Dr. Ladan Eshkevari and colleagues at the Georgetown University School of Nursing uses electronic acupuncture on rats to further understand the molecular basis behind acupuncture's benefit.
  
• Acupuncture for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
  Acupuncture is commonly used for chronic pain, but is what is the evidence for its efficacy? A meta-analysis study from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center suggests that acupuncture is indeed an effective treatment option.
  
• New Study on Slimming Down, The TCM Way
  While Western medicine is at the forefront of combating obesity, a Hong Kong Hospital Authority-commissioned study shows success in using a traditional Chinese medicine approach that is equally as effective and minimizes the side-effects of mainstream weight-loss medications.
  
• Tai Chi Increases Brain Size, Improves Memory, Combats Alzheimer's
  Researchers have shown that regular practice of Tai Chi increases brain volume, augments memory and thinking skills, and may combat dementia.
  
• What is the difference between acupuncture and acupressure?
  Acupuncture triggers a stronger stimulation to activate the body’s innate healing ability than does acupressure.
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• Professor Tu You You's Research on Herbal Medicine for Treatment of Malaria
  Professor Tu is one of the foremost natural product scientists in the world. Her work at the Institute Chinese Materia Medica of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science led to the development of a first-line anti-malaria drug, artemisinin, an extract of the Chinese herb, Qinghao.
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• Why I Became Interested in Acupuncture
  Dr. Ryan Abbott's interest in acupuncture stems from childhood upbringing and early exposure to other cultural traditions.
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• Using Acupuncture Analgesia in Surgery
  Professor Xin Yuling led a national task force to study acupuncture anagelsia's clinical application in the and 1970's. He offered from his video collection of operations performed utilizing acupuncture in place of anesthesia, including historical footage of a surgical procedure observed by President Nixon and his delegation during their visit to China.
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