Acupuncture, is it a Placebo or Proven Effect?

This actually happens to me more than you would think, where a patient comes in and receives a beneficial treatment of Acupuncture, and then gives credit to their pain going away to a "Placebo effect". They believed that the pain would go away and magically it did, while the Acupuncture I had just performed on them could not have possibly caused that same effect. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that you need to have an open mind with positive thoughts when coming in to a treatment for it to be fully successful, but I also believe that there is hard evidence to back up why Acupuncture works. Here are my TOP 5 RESEARCH STUDIES & TRIALS of how Science has proven that Acupuncture is much more than just a Placebo effect.

1. It releases an Anti-Inflammatory Response: Mel Hopper (an licensed Acupuncturist from Australia), talks about research that shows when a needle is inserted the bodies natural response is to release Adenosine. This is a natural anti-inflammatory response that is triggered by the brain and sent to the targeted area of pain. This chemical response can be measured in the body when studies were taken before a treatment and afterwards showing higher levels of Adenosine within the blood stream. Acupuncture stimulates the body to release it's own natural pain killers. It also Stimulates the release of molecules associated with tissue healing and disease resolution. More on the Webinar at the link provided: https://acupunctureprofessional.com/f11/webinar/?inf_contact_key=d494b223b8558fd4f072bbc67aea9dbcc19b5734342a16195888bf0e285712ff

2. It Helps treat Insomnia: I believe this is a clear sign of how Acupuncture is effecting us on a deeper level. Research shows that Acupuncture out performs drug test for insomnia. Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture with Estazolam drug therapy for the treatment of insomnia in senior citizens. Estazolam achieved an 82.9% total effective rate and auricular acupuncture achieved a 91.4% total effective rate. Acupuncture outperformed drug therapy for the improvement of sleep quality, duration, and daytime functioning.

More information at http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1772-acupuncture-beats-drug-for-insomnia-relief

3. It Controls Weight Loss: I know "Happy Thoughts" can help us lose weight but I don't think it can speed up our metabolism too. Acupuncture causes weight loss by stimulating appetite-suppressing hormones, new research suggests, that ancient Chinese medicine could help people to shed up to 16 pounds (7.2kg) in just two months, according to a new study. A study found that 16 sessions of acupuncture is enough to help you lose weight without making changes to your diet or exercise routine. Researchers claimed that the ancient practice of sticking needles into the body stimulates the production of the hormone Serotonin, which plays a role in appetite and mood control. This according to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4664268/Acupuncture-causes-weight-loss-stimulating-hormones.html.

4. It Lowers Blood Pressure: Again, I truly feel that this is something outside of our control when it begins to effect our cardiovascular system. Researchers have already shown that special acupuncture needles, when gently inserted into specific points on the skin, can stimulate nerves that reach up into the brain and to cells that control blood pressure. "There's evidence from our laboratory and many other laboratories to suggest that the cells quiet down after acupuncture," says Dr. John Longhurst professor of medicine at the University of California, Irvine. Patients like Rip Reeves are also impressed as he says that "In my late 30s, I was probably 145/95; with medication, I got it down to 130/80. And since I've been on acupuncture and not taking medication, I've been averaging 125/75." Perhaps most amazing, acupuncture's benefit can be long lasting, because some patients who received the acupuncture treatment nine months ago still have normal blood pressure. More information at http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=130455&page=1

5. It works on Animals!: How can an Animal have a placebo effect when they don't really understand what is going on during Acupuncture? The treatment for the animal is similar to human acupuncture in that the goal is to relieve pain by hitting certain points that reduce inflammation and assist with blood flow. The needles are also the same, even though the animal patient is much bigger. Now the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the first in America to try acupuncture on a Giraffe. After 45 minutes and 14 needles that focused on the area around the hips on "Sukari" the Giraffe. She receives the treatment every other week, and so far, those at the zoo believe it is working. When an animal shows more activity with less pain that is a very good sign of the effectiveness of the treatment. More information at http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Aging-Providence-Giraffe-Receives-Acupuncture-for-Arthritis-431163533.html

There you have it folks, hard evidence done by very smart scientists, and effective trials to prove that Acupuncture isn't fairy dust that magically heals. There are cells and molecules that are changing within our body after a treatment to prove that this has a real effect. We may not be able to record energy work, but we are able to see the before and after effects and their positive results.

For more research check out www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org.