Why not Treat Tinnitus with Acupuncture?

Tinnitus is a very common disease with a high incidence rate, generally seen in the population.

Symptoms of tinnitus are seen in 10-15% of people. This disease is more common in middle-aged and elderly people than young people, with women having a greater risk. Tinnitus a frustrating and will affect the patient’s normal life to a certain extent.
Tinnitus affects hearing, in some severe cases, it may cause deafness. Therefore when symptoms of tinnitus are present, you must not ignore its existence and should immediately seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Tinnitus causes:
1. Long-term bad habits, such as frequent excessive drinking of coffee, strong tea, cheese, chocolate, smoking, and alcohol.
2. Poor physical condition, such as frequent fatigue and loss of kidney qi, gradually causing kidney yin deficiency or in other words, kidney aging. Kidney yang gradually declines.
3. Long-term, continuous noisy environment, or lack of air circulation in the environment.
4. Nutritional imbalance, such as lack of trace elements i.e iron and zinc due to diet preference.
5. Too much psychological pressure, or has encountered bad psychological stimulation.

Tinnitus is closely related to insomnia and anxiety, and these two may comorbid with tinnitus.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment ways:

(1) Method of selecting acupoints: There is acupoint selection around the ear meridian selection.
The dominant acupoints used are Tinggong, Wangu, Yanglao, Zhongzhu. Acupoints are matched with corresponding acupuncture points according to the syndrome differentiation. The treatment course is around 10 times.

(2) Ear pressure burying method: take the main acupoints from Shenmen, inner ear, adrenal glands, and cortex. Apply pressure on the ear point, press and knead it to a degree that it can be tolerated, change it once every 2 days, apply on both ears alternately. Press 3 to 4 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes each time, until there is redness on the ear auricle.

(3) Scalp acupuncture: take the ringing area, keep the needle for 30 minutes, once a day, 10 times as a treatment course.

Daily life adjustment:

(1) Work and rest on time to ensure adequate sleep; exercise regularly and scientifically; avoid overwork.
(2) Improve the working and living environment, avoid exposure to strong sounds or noises, and keep the environment empty, and ensure there is airflow.
(3) Balanced nutrition, eat more vegetables containing vitamins, iron, zinc, and other trace elements.
(4) Avoid ingesting some irritating substances, such as cola; quit smoking, alcohol, and chocolate.

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

 

Main Points of Cervical Spondylosis and Wrist Pain, Knot Relief, and Bleeding 

1. Cervical Spondylosis acupoints and bloodletting treatment

Speaking of Cervical Spondylosis/neck arthritis, I think there are several situations:

*Cervical spondylosis is a common, age-related condition that affects the joints and discs in your cervical spine, which is in your neck. (more)

1. The vertebral artery is one cause of cervical spondylosis. The main symptoms are dizziness, swelling, headache, etc. cervical spondylosis caused by vertebral artery can be put into the headache category, therefore, you can treat it according to headache treatment methods.

In a headache case review, a patient was diagnosed with atlantoaxial subluxation (misalignment of the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae), which is best if you have chiropractic, but we can still cure it without chiropractic. This enlightens us: it shows that we have misunderstandings about many diseases. An orthopedic doctor may diagnose your knee joint pain is caused by bone spurs, which is not incorrect, it is just the manipulation of science itself.

Therefore, for cervical spondylosis caused by the vertebral artery, examinations should be done in advance, and a CT scan of the brain is required to see if there are any lesions. If not, a treatment method can be applied to where the dizziness and headache are, it is easy to treat. Regarding the treatment of headaches, Western medicine categories it differently from Chinese Medicine. As long as headaches are not caused by tumours, acupuncture is a very effective treatment.

2. There is also radiculopathy (pinching of a nerve root in the spinal column) of cervical spondylosis, which manifests as numbness and pain in the upper limbs. The pain of radiculopathy is more serious and worsens at night. At this time, bloodletting is usually prefered. There are mainly two bleeding sites, one is upper limb bleeding, and the other is lower limb bleeding.

The main points of bloodletting on the upper limbs can be observed by searching for the meridian where the pain is and look for blood stasis in the painful area. If you can’t find it, you can find the corresponding blood stasis on the lower extremity on the same side and the outer side of the calf. For some people, if the upper limb is on the palm side, the bloodletting of the lower limb should be on the inner side of the calf.

Some people’s pain and numbness alleviated after this treatment, leaving only a little bit of numbness. At this time, blood pricking can be used on the numb finger.

If needles are used, and the upper limbs are painful, we can apply acupuncture on Ce Sanli, Xia Ce Sanli, and Shenguan. According to the position of the numbness and pain of his upper limbs, if it is on the Yang side, acupuncture is applied on the lateral and the Xia Ce Sanli acupoint. If it is on the Yin side, acupuncture is applied to Shenguan.

 

3. There is also a way to solve knots, the simplest routine is the regulation of qi, blood, and menstruation. Neck pain of the nerve root-knot is not difficult. You still need to touch the muscles and ligate according to the location of the pain. In the end, you can find the root of the cervical spine. Sometimes you will get a needle sensation to the upper limbs. According to the method of relieving the tendons, the vines touch the melon, walk up, pass the shoulder to the cervical spine.

Shoulder joint pain caused by cervical spondylosis is sometimes easily misdiagnosed as a frozen shoulder. This pain has a characteristic, that is, it hurts even if you don’t move, and it hurts everywhere. Frozen shoulder is a pain of movement. Cervical spondylosis causes immobility and pain. These are the two most common cervical spondylosis.

2. Main points of wrist pain and bloodletting.

Generally speaking, the external pain of the wrist joint, usually the main acupuncture point is Ce Sanli and Xia Ce Sanli. You should press to find the most obvious pain point and insert the needle. After the puncture, it is good to move around with the qi acupuncture method.

According to the location of the pain point, look for the place on the forearm to find the place where there is a tendon to solve the knot, these are all very good treatments.

What if there is blood stasis? It is very simple to find blood stasis in the meridian area where the pain point is.

Some are pain on the inside of the wrist joint, and some are carpal tunnel syndrome, which is the most stubborn.

For patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, I usually take the Sanyinjiao and Jiaoxin points on the contralateral side and put a needle near the medial ankle joint on the opposite side. If it can produce an obvious numbness, it’s best to use the numbness to fight against this numbness.

Then how do I solve the knot? Look upon the forearm, and then untie.

Where is bloodletting? Blood puncture and cupping can be done at the Beishu point, next to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae. This is a bloodletting method.

What is another way? You can also find blood stasis on the forearm and elbow joint.

What if there is no blood stasis here? Look for blood stasis near the interdigital stripes at the end of the middle finger. You see, regulating Qi, blood, menstruation if the physique is not significantly colder or hotter, you don’t need to consider the overall adjustment. Some stubborn carpal tunnel syndromes do not require surgery and can be cured by acupuncture. The acupuncture method will be effective two or three times.

Find out our acupuncture pain relief treatment

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

 

Acupuncture and Wrist Pain Treatment

Pain is one of the most common clinical symptoms, and doctors have different understandings and treatment methods for pain. So how fast can pain be relieved? Taking wrist pain as an example, I will describe the three methods of acupuncture, knot unties, and bloodletting to treat pain.

Wrist pain, generally speaking, is the pain on the outside of the wrist joint, usually, the main points are taken from Ce-Sanli and Cexia-Sanli. Needle inserting point can be found by applying pressure onto the wrist, and feeling which area is the most painful. The most obvious pain point is inserted with a needle. After the puncture is finished, you need to move around with acupuncture.

If it’s not completely agile, look for the muscles on the forearm according to the location of the pain point.

What if there is blood stasis? It’s easy to find blood stasis in the meridian area where the pain point is.

Some people have pain on the inside of the wrist joint, and some people have carpal tunnel syndrome, which is the most stubborn.

For patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, I usually take the Sanyinjiao and Jiaoxin points on the contralateral side.

A needle is inserted near the medial ankle joint. It’s best if it produces an obvious numbness. A needle sensation is used to combat this numbness.

Then how do I solve the tendons? Go up on the forearm to find it, and then untie it.

Where is the bloodletting? Blood puncture and cupping can be done at the Backshu point, next to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae.

What is another way? You can also find blood stasis on the forearm and elbow joint.

What if there is no blood stasis here? Look for blood stasis near the interdigital stripes at the end of the middle finger
blood.

You see, regulating qi, regulating blood, regulating menstruation if there is no obvious cold or hot in the body, you don’t need to think about it.

Overall adjustment. Some stubborn carpal tunnel syndromes do not require surgery and can be cured by acupuncture, such as
If the acupuncture method is in place, it will be effective two or three times.

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

Case review- Acute Sprained Ankle

“One evening in 2020, I accidentally miss stepped on the stairs and fell into my right foot ankle. There was severe pain and tears fell. When I slowly stood up, it was already difficult to walk, because I had a meeting the next day, so I immediately took ice cubes. According to experience, if I don’t get treatment in time, I may not be able to fully recover for a few months, because there was a western medicine clinician who had the same sprain and required 3 months plaster caster.”

“I found Ponsonby Wellness through Google search. Virginia didn’t put a needle in my affected area but put a needle in my hand. At the same time, the ankle pain began to decrease within 10 minutes. Additionally, Virginia asked me to move my ankle around, as well as doing some jumping on the affected foot, with the needle still in my hand. What is particularly miraculous is that the pain basically disappears after leaving the needle in for 20 minutes. Virginia told me to keep balance when I walk and tells me not to turn corners, she told me if local bruising and swelling are severe, bloodletting can be done the next day. The next morning, the pain basically disappeared, there were only a few bruises and swellings, but I still didn’t dare to walk normally, I worried that the weight of the foot would aggravate the injury. I gave a lecture to the students in the morning. Because I was very involved in the lecture, I forgot about my sprain last night. I walked back and forth in front of the podium. After class, I suddenly realized that my sprained ankle had recovered. I suddenly realised why Virginia let me walk normally.”

Treatment method

Waiguan point is used for an external ankle injury, Neiguan point for internal malleolus injury. Neiguan penetration puncture is used to treat internal ankle pain or injuries which are leading to external ankle pain, and Waiguan penetration puncture for external ankle pain or injury leading to internal ankle pain.

Shenmai acupoints on the left ankle and foot can cooperate with acupuncture points for the Taiyang Meridian of the right hand, known as the Yanglao point.

 

Pain affecting point, Qiuxu point can cooperate with the Yangchi point on the right hand.

Take Shenmen or Yangxi on the opposite side of the affected area. When taking Shenmen point, raise your palm and make a fist slightly, and puncture in the direction of Yanggu point; when taking Yangxi point, bend your palm and slightly bend your wrist and puncture in the direction of Taiyuan point. Houxi is one of the eight-meridian junction points, which connects the Du Meridian and takes a quick twisting needle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An ankle sprain is a very common joint soft tissue injury, which often starts suddenly and can occur at any age. The ankle joint is the most weight-bearing joint of the human body, and it is at the distal end. Once muscle bonds and ligaments are damaged, blood stasis will result in changes in the microenvironment in the joints, causing inflammation, oozing, and accumulation of pain-causing substances, which will affect local metabolism. Self-repairing ability and intra-articular stress can easily lead to prolonged disease and is often difficult to heal, resulting in ankle pain, poor flexion and extension, dysfunction and other symptoms, which bring inconvenience to daily life.

Cooperating with the movement of needle retention for ankle sprains, which can not only make the meridian qi reach the disease quickly, but also stretch the muscles and muscles that have a spasm, loosen the adhesive ligaments, strengthen the tension of the relaxed muscles, promote the anatomical reduction of local tissues, and promote blood The circulation speeds up the absorption and dissipation of edema and blood stasis.

“Treating the upper part disease from the bottom, and treating ankle disease from hand” can be a good, simple and inexpensive method for clinical treatment for an acute ankle sprain.

Our acupuncture pain relief treatment

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

 

Accident compensation has a long history in New Zealand. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) began in 1974 and has continued to evolve ever since. ACC helps prevent injuries and get New Zealanders and visitors back to everyday life if they’ve had an accident. ACC help pays for a range of medical, health and treatment costs if we cover your injury. You may have to pay for part of your treatment costs. Includes serious injury and disability.
You can register with us if you’re a treatment provider or registered health professional under the Accident Compensation Act 2001. This includes: acupuncturist
To register as a health provider you need to:
Be registered with the appropriate authority, eg your professional body
Hold a current annual practising certificate from the same authority

 

How does ACC work?

Acupuncture modalities currently funded by ACC The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) includes acupuncture within the suite of allied health treatment modalities. Allied Health is the third major group in the New Zealand health and disability workforce (alongside medical and nursing professionals) and includes physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, occupational therapists, speech therapists and acupuncturists (www.ahanz.org.nz). ACC currently funds two sets of treatment modalities within acupuncture services, conventional therapies and adjunct therapies. The conventional therapies are comprised of traditional acupuncture, Western acupuncture, laser acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and auricular acupuncture; the adjunct therapies include cupping, Gua Sha scraping, tuina massage, and moxibustion. ACC does not fund herbal plasters, liniments, herbalism, nutritional supplements, and ion-pumping cords. Acupuncturists have been recognised under ACC cost of treatment regulations since 1990. The Accident Compensation Act (AC Act) defines an acupuncturist as a person who is a) a full member of the New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists Incorporated (NZRA), now known as Acupuncture NZ (AcNZ), or the New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority Inc (NZASA) and b) who holds a current practising certificate. Other Health Practitioners (as defined under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003) may utilise acupuncture interventions as determined under the scopes of practice within which they work.

Musculoskeletal conditions may be eligible for cover if it can be established that the condition is a personal injury caused by an accident (PICBA) or a work-related gradual onset condition (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome) (WRGPDI). The criteria for each are described in the Accident Compensation Act 2001. ACC does not cover musculoskeletal injuries which are considered to be wholly or substantially due to noninjury factors, such as disease or aging.

Neck Pain

Mechanical Neck Pain Included evidence: seven systematic reviews, which included eight individual RCTs, and one additional RCT were identified. Study quality varied, however, most were of moderate to high quality. Included studies investigated treatments using either a TCM or western medical framework and delivered traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, dry needling and cupping. Acupuncture interventions were mainly compared with sham acupuncture, wait-list or inactive treatment (e.g. sham laser or TENs). Participants within the included studies varied significantly regarding the duration and severity of neck pain, with conditions ranging from acute to chronic durations. The reported number, duration and frequency of treatment sessions was often 15 – 30 minutes long, with 5 – 15 sessions delivered over 3 – 5 weeks of treatment. Length of follow-up was mostly short to medium term with a small number of studies reporting long-term functional or pain outcomes. There is conflicting evidence suggesting that traditional acupuncture may be more effective at reducing pain and improving disability in the short-term for patients with mechanical neck pain when compared to sham acupuncture, however, the evidence does not provide support for a long-term effect. Based on two HQ++ SRs of level 1+ evidence and one LQ- SR of level 1- evidence. The SRs included 4 relevant RCTs. There is conflicting evidence regarding the benefits of dry needling and electroacupuncture on the outcome of pain over the short-term in patients with mechanical neck pain when compared to control interventions. Based on one HQ++ SR of level 1+ evidence, three AQ+ SRs of level 1 evidence and one HQ++ RCT. The SRs included three relevant RCTs, two on dry needling and one on electroacupuncture. Insufficient evidence is available on other acupuncture therapies including auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and Gua Sha scraping for patients with mechanical neck pain.

Shoulder Pain
Frozen Shoulder Included evidence: four systematic reviews, which included six RCTs, and one additional RCT. Studies were of low to moderate quality. Included studies investigated treatments which mainly used a TCM framework and delivered a combined or individual treatment of acupuncture (traditional acupuncture, cupping, electroacupuncture, tuina therapy and laser acupuncture) and rehabilitation, physiotherapy or electrotherapy. These interventions were mainly compared with physiotherapy, electrotherapy and injections alone. Patients were commonly aged in their 50’s and varying and poorly reported stages of the condition. The number, duration and frequency of treatment sessions were around 30 – 40 minutes long, with 8 – 10 sessions delivered over 4 – 6 weeks of treatment. The evidence suggests that acupuncture or electroacupuncture, alone or in combination with physiotherapy or electrotherapy may be effective for reducing pain, improving range of motion and function in patients with the frozen shoulder when compared to physiotherapy or electrotherapy alone. Based on one LQ- SR of level 1- evidence containing three RCTs and one LQ- RCT. Insufficient evidence is available on other acupuncture therapies including auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, dry needling, moxibustion, cupping, tuina massage and Gua Sha scraping for patients with frozen shoulder.

Sciatica
Sciatica Included evidence: three systematic reviews, which included 13 individual RCTs, were identified that reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture interventions for sciatica. Studies were of low to moderate quality. Included studies mainly investigated treatments which used a TCM framework and delivered traditional acupuncture and electro-acupuncture. Acupuncture interventions were mainly compared with conventional medication (Ibuprofen, Prednisone, Meloxicam and Diclofenac). Patient age and duration of condition significantly varied between the included studies ranging from 18 – 79 years of age and reported durations of 4 days to 18 years. The number, duration and frequency of treatment sessions was well-reported, with sessions often of 20 – 45 minutes long, with 5 – 20 sessions delivered over a short period of 1 – 3 weeks. Length of follow-up was mostly short-term with few studies reporting long-term functional or pain outcomes. The evidence indicates that traditional acupuncture and electroacupuncture are probably effective in reducing pain in the short-term when compared with conventional medication. However, there is little evidence on its sustained effect over the medium and long-term and its effect on function and quality of life. Based on two SRs of HQ++ and one SR of AQ+, all of level 1 evidence. The SRs included thirteen relevant RCTs. Insufficient evidence is available on other acupuncture therapies including dry needling, auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha scraping and traditional Chinese tuina massage for patients with sciatic

Back Pain
Lumbar Disc Herniation Included evidence: two systematic reviews which included 14 individual RCTs. Studies were reported to be of low quality. One looked at the effectiveness of tuina manual therapy while the other looked at the interventions of acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Tuina manual therapy was also used in conjunction with other interventions, mostly oral Meds, traction and intravenous injections. The control groups were mainly oral Meds and traction using varied duration periods which were different from the intervention in most cases. The included studies that reported treatment schedules averaged 11.3 ± 8.1 sessions (range 1–36) and the length of each session was 25.3 ± 5.7 minutes (range 15–30). Follow up length was only reported within two of the included RCTs and ranged between 1 day to 60 weeks. There was low-quality evidence that tuina, alone or used alongside traction, may be effective for the relief of pain due to lumbar disc herniation, but the clinical impact of the treatment is uncertain. The evidence indicates that traditional acupuncture plus traction may be effective in reducing pain post-treatment for patients with lumbar disc herniation when compared to traction alone. Based on one LQ- SR of level 1- evidence. The SR included five relevant RCTs. The evidence suggests that tuina massage may be effective in improving pain and function for patients with lumbar disc herniation when compared to conventional medication and traction, however, the evidence for functional improvement was not as strong as pain relief. Based on one AQ+ SR of level 1+ evidence. The SR included eight relevant RCTs. Insufficient evidence is available on other acupuncture therapies including electroacupuncture, auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, dry needling, moxibustion, cupping and Gua Sha scraping for patients with lumbar disc herniation

Knee Pain
Knee Osteoarthritis Included evidence: 15 systematic reviews, which included 78 RCTs, plus nine additional RCTs were identified, that reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture interventions for knee OA. Studies were of low to moderate quality. Included studies mainly investigated treatments which used a TCM framework and delivered traditional acupuncture, trigger point acupuncture or moxibustion. Acupuncture interventions were mainly compared with sham acupuncture, no treatment or conservative therapies. Moxibustion was mainly compared with Meds therapies such as diclofenac, or sham moxibustion. Patients were generally recruited from hospital clinics, were aged greater than 50 years old and suffered from knee OA of chronic duration and moderate severity, however, the included studies varied significantly. A history of traumatic injury was often an exclusion criterion, so this may limit the relevance of the findings for ACC. The number, duration and frequency of treatment sessions were not well-reported, but where it was, sessions were about 20 – 30 minutes long, with 5 – 20 sessions delivered over 5 – 9 weeks of treatment or daily treatments over a short period of 7 – 10 days. Length of follow-up was mostly short-term with few studies reporting long-term functional or pain outcomes. The evidence suggests that acupuncture and electroacupuncture probably reduce pain in the short-term when compared to the controls of medication, placebo and a waiting list, however, their effects on function and quality of life remain unclear and conflicting. Based on three AQ+ SRs and three LQ- SRs, three of level 1+ evidence and three of level 1 evidence and two RCTs, one of LQ- and one of AQ+. The SRs included 43 relevant RCTs. The evidence suggests that the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments depends on the age of the patient and the severity of their osteoarthritis. Specifically, the evidence suggests that laser acupuncture, needle acupuncture and moxibustion are probably not effective in improving pain and function in older patients with moderate or severe knee pain. Based on one HQ++ RCT of level 1+ evidence quality on laser and needle acupuncture and one HQ++ RCT of 1+ evidence quality on moxibustion. There is conflicting evidence about the benefits of moxibustion on the outcomes of pain and function over the short-term in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Based on one HQ++ SR, two AQ+ SRs of level 1 evidence and four RCTs of HQ++ (1), AQ+ (1) and LQ- (2) of level 1 and 1- quality. The SRs included 21 relevant RCTs. The evidence indicates that pulsatile cupping may be effective in improving knee pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis in the short and medium-term when compared to no intervention. Based on one AQ+ SR and one AQ+ RCT both of level 1 evidence quality and 1 LQ- RCT of level 1- evidence. The SR included seven relevant RCTs. Insufficient evidence is available for other acupuncture therapies including Gua Sha scraping and traditional Chinese tuina massage for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Ankle Sprain Included evidence: three systematic reviews which included 18 individual RCTs. Studies were generally of low quality and lacked validated outcome measures for the primary and secondary outcomes of interest within this review including pain, function and QOL. Included studies mainly investigated treatments which used a TCM framework and delivered traditional acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture. Acupuncture interventions were mainly compared with usual care/standard physiotherapy (bandage and/or ice pack), massage, topical NSAIDs and oral medication. The included studies considered three main types of comparisons: acupuncture versus no treatment or placebo, acupuncture versus another standard non-surgical intervention and acupuncture used in conjunction with other treatments to assess its effectiveness as an add-on treatment. Patients were generally between 18 and 25 years of age and had suffered an acute ankle sprain of less than a week’s duration. Most studies within the SRs included ankle sprains of mixed severity or did not detail severity. The number, duration and frequency of treatment sessions were commonly between 5 and 15 sessions over 1 to 2 weeks. Length of follow-up was mostly of short-term. Insufficient evidence is available for the outcomes of pain, function and quality of life using needle-based and other acupuncture therapies for patients with ankle sprains. The available evidence lacks validated outcome measures for the primary and secondary outcomes of interest within this review including pain, function and quality of life. Based on three SRs of HQ++ and AQ+ with level 1+ and 1 evidence. The SRs included 18 relevant RCTs.

Heel Pain
Plantar Heel Pain Included evidence: seven systematic reviews, which included 12 individual RCTs, plus 1 additional RCT was identified that reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture for plantar heel pain. Studies were of low to moderate quality and mostly reported on follow up times in the short and medium-term. Included studies investigated treatments which used TCM or western framework and delivered traditional acupuncture, trigger point dry needling, electroacupuncture and warm needling acupuncture. Acupuncture interventions were mainly compared with exercise, sham acupuncture, insoles or steroid injections. Patients were generally diagnosed with plantar fasciitis however, several studies used the words plantar fasciitis and plantar heel pain interchangeably. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of plantar heel pain, but plantar heel pain can also include wider issues which may affect results. The patients were commonly aged between 35 and 60 years old. The number, duration and frequency of treatment sessions were often of two different treatment schedules, one of the daily treatments over 1 – 2 weeks and the other of weekly sessions over 4 – 8 weeks. The evidence suggests that acupuncture and electroacupuncture may be effective in the short-term reduction of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis; however, the improvement is not sustained over the medium to long term. Based on one AQ+ SR and one LQ- SR both of level 1 evidence. The SRs included five relevant RCTs. The evidence indicates that dry needling may be more effective than control or placebo for reducing pain but not improving quality of life in the short and long term when treating patients with plantar heel pain. Based on five AQ+ SRs (four of level 1 evidence and one of 1- evidence). The SRs included eight relevant RCTs. The evidence indicates that acupuncture interventions may be effective in reducing pain in the short-term (up to 6 weeks), however, there is little evidence supporting its sustained effect over the medium and long term and its effect on improving quality of life in the short and long term. The evidence suggests that as the duration of plantar fasciitis increases, the improvement from treatment including electroacupuncture decreases. Based on one LQ- SR of level 1 evidence, containing only one relevant RCT. Insufficient evidence is available on other acupuncture therapies including auricular acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha scraping and traditional Chinese tuina massage for patients with plantar heel pain.

General comments on the evidence base of acupuncture for musculoskeletal conditions There is some evidence that acupuncture modalities are effective for the short-term (up to 6 weeks) relief of pain associated with some musculoskeletal conditions but there is little evidence of medium or long-term pain relief. While it is less consistent, there is evidence that for some conditions acupuncture modalities also improve functional outcomes in the short-term. There is overall a lack of available evidence regarding the effectiveness for other modalities, such as moxibustion, Gua Sha, tuina and cupping. Treatments were often reported as being 15 – 30 minutes long, although it was not always clear if this represented total treatment or needle retention time. These findings are consistent with other recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines for the management of low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. The findings of the evidence-based review were limited by a lack of high-quality studies for many acupuncture modalities, particularly adjunct modalities, such as cupping, tuina massage, Gua Sha scraping and moxibustion. There was also a focus on outcome measures for pain, with a lack of functional, disability, quality of life, or patient-centred outcomes. This means that for many conditions the reviewers were unable to comment on the functional impact of treatment with acupuncture.

For more information about ACC in NZ, click here

Sprained Ankle & Acupuncture Therapy

13 April 2020 By Tony Jiang

Sprain of the ankle is a major disease of sports injury and the morbidity of it is highest among athletic injury illnesses (around 40%). The principal manifestation of an ankle sprain can be viewed as soft tissue injury of ankle joint rather than fracture, dislocation, and skin damage.

The common clinical symptoms of ankle sprain include partial pain, swelling, claudication, and the limitation of joint motion. Also, for lateral malleolus injury, the pain symptom will be aggravated if patients try to finish strephenopodia. Conversely, for Medial deltoid ligament injury, the local pain will be increased if patients attempt to do strephexopodia.

The main treatment therapy of ankle sprain includes brake, ice compress, conservative treatment (e.g. plaster immobilization) and the curative time is approximately 3-6 weeks. Moreover, the surgical treatment is essential to serious ankle sprain patients.

Acupuncture treatment is suitable for these patients without fracture. According to the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the major cause of this sports injury is “qi stagnation and blood stasis” and the therapeutic principle is “promoting qi to active blood”. Major acupoints of acupuncture service are Shangqiu, Jiexi, Zhongfen, Qiuxu, Kunlun, Taixi. For another, electric acupuncture treatment is most suitable to cure this illness. Acupuncturists commonly select the dilatational wave and the strength of electricity should be based on patients’ tolerance. Additionally, TDP treatment is effective to assist treatment. The treatment time of acupuncture therapy is 20-30 minutes per time, 1 time per day, and 10 times per course.

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

Acupuncture & External Humeral Epicondylitis
28 March 2020 Tony Jiang

External humeral epicondylitis is a common disease of sports injuries, and the popular name of this illness is tennis elbow. The most important symptom of tennis elbow is pain around the external condyle of the humerus. The extensor tendon of the forearm will be in a state of contraction and tension when we grasp something, for example, a tennis racket. Overusing this muscle contributes to degeneration, laceration of the starting point of this tendon.

In addition to playing tennis, excessive exercises also lead to this illness, such as swimming, climbing, playing the guitar, and doing high-intensity work. For another, the trauma of the elbow joint can result in external humeral epicondylitis. Based on which have been mentioned above, the underlying pathogenesis of tennis elbow is “slight fracture and inflammation on the starting point of extensor carpi tendon”.

The principle treatment method of tennis elbow is the braking of articulation cubiti. The patients in the first stage should avoid taking things palm down, twisting off the bottle caps, and frying foods. Moreover, taking aspirin and injecting steroid medicine can eliminate inflammation and assist tendon recovery. The majority of patients don’t need to accept surgery therapy except for those whose symptoms cannot be relieved for a long period.

Acupuncture therapy can be considered as an effective treatment of external humeral epicondylitis. The principle of selecting acupoint is “basing on pain spot” and “according to the acupuncture channel”. The major acupoint of treating tennis elbow is a pressure point and four points which located on 1 cm from the main pressure point. Furthermore, the minor acupoints are Quchi, Sousanli, Waiguan and so on. The key acupuncture points can be inserted 1-1.5cm down at a 45° or 90° angle. The minor acupuncture points can be inserted 2-3 cm down at a 90° angle. The treatment duration of acupuncture services is 30 minutes per time, five times per week, and 10 times per course.

In addition to playing tennis, excessive exercises also lead to this illness, such as swimming, climbing, playing the guitar, and doing high-intensity work. For another, the trauma of the elbow joint can result in external humeral epicondylitis. Based on which have been mentioned above, the underlying pathogenesis of tennis elbow is “slight fracture and inflammation on the starting point of extensor carpi tendon”.

The principle treatment method of tennis elbow is the braking of articulation cubiti. The patients in the first stage should avoid taking stuff palm down, twisting off the bottle caps, and frying foods. Moreover, taking aspirin and injecting steroid medicine can eliminate inflammation and assist tendon recovery. The majority of patients don’t need to accept surgery therapy except for those whose symptoms cannot be relieved for a long period.

Acupuncture therapy can be considered as an effective treatment of external humeral epicondylitis. The principle of selecting acupoint is “basing on pain spot” and “according to the acupuncture channel”. The major acupoint of treating tennis elbow is a pressure point and four points which located on 1 cm from the main pressure point. Furthermore, the minor acupoints are Quchi, Sousanli, Waiguan and so on. The key acupuncture points can be inserted 1-1.5cm down at a 45° or 90° angle. The minor acupuncture points can be inserted 2-3 cm down at a 90° angle. The treatment duration of acupuncture services is 30 minutes per time, five times per week, and 10 times per course.

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

Piriformis Syndrome with Acupuncture Treatment

17th March 2020 by Virginia Jin

For patients with a piriformis injury, it is easy to cause edema and hyperplasia of the piriformis muscle, which will cause compression of the passing sciatic nerve and hip pain, as well as radiating pain in the legs. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the edema and hyperplasia caused by piriformis injury to resolve. Therefore, once piriformis injury occurs, it is necessary to stay in bed in time to avoid excessive weight-bearing and bending activities of the affected limb and to avoid squatting and jumping activities to create conditions for edema and hyperplasia. Generally, after 2 to 4 weeks, the edema and hyperplasia of the piriformis will gradually be absorbed and subsided, so that the symptoms of piriformis injury will be completely restored.

Most patients have a significant history of trauma and cold exposure, such as lifting heavy objects while squatting, taking heavy objects from the ground while standing down, and standing up from a lower sofa. Pain in the waist or hips, or deep soreness on one side of the hips, and radiating pain in one side of the lower limbs along the back of the thighs and the back of the calves. The patient’s symptoms worsened when he squatted. Straight leg elevation test was positive, hallux dorsiflexion weakened, and piriformis tenderness. In an acute injury, thumb-like palpation can be found on palpation of the thumb, and tenderness is very obvious; in chronic injury, there is a feeling of emptiness in the buttocks when the fingers touch, diffuse blunt thickening of the piriformis muscle, or localized stiffness of the muscle bundle, elasticity and toughness Significantly reduced (indicates muscle atrophy). The acupuncture treatment method is to dispel wind and dispel cold, sparse meridian and activate collaterals. According to the painful site and radiation path, the acupoints are selected based on the solar bladder meridian of the foot and the bile meridian of the foot.

Piriformis syndrome treatment

Piriformis syndrome treatment with acupuncture points: the upper acupoint, the second concubine, the rank side, and the ring jump are the main points. Yinmen, Weizhong, and Kunlun are the acupuncture points. Differentiating acupuncture points and taking wind-cold and damp-resistance plus Mingmen, Fengmen, Qi stagnation and blood stasis plus Xuehai, Qiyu. The upper and lower bows were inserted 5 cm down at a 60 ° angle, and the twist and diarrhea method was quickly inserted for 2 minutes, resulting in a strong needle feel, which was tolerated by the patient. The rank edge and the ring jump straight at 6.63 ~ 10 cm, and the lifting and inserting method is used to conduct the needle sensation to the lower limbs and cause an electric shock-like sensation, and the buttocks have a strong soreness. Yinmen, Venezuela, and Kunlun regard vigour as the degree. Leave the needle at each point for 30 minutes, and move the needle once every 15 minutes.

Acupuncture treatment is performed once every other day, and 10 times is a course of treatment. After each course of treatment, rest 3 to 5 days, and then perform another course of treatment.

After 1 course of treatment, 37 patients were cured, 9 cases were cured, 16 cases were markedly improved, 10 cases were improved, and 2 cases were ineffective, with an effective rate of 94.6%; the unrecovered cases were improved after the second course of treatment. One case was invalid, and the total effective rate was 97.3%.

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here

Acupuncture therapy & Knee Osteoarthritis
1 March 2020 Tony Jiang

Knee Osteoarthritis is also named as degenerative knee joint disease. It is a common and frequently-occurring disease among middle-aged and old aged people. The morbidity of this degenerative illness is particularly high among the elderly group and the amount of female patients is more than male patients. Additionally, the main characteristic of this disease is the degenerative and damage of cartilage articular, hyperosteogeny, osteophyte formation of the adjacent subchondral bone plate and joint edge.

The main clinical manifestations of knee osteoarthritis are knee pain, knee swelling, knee stiffness, and knee joint deformation. These distressing symptoms further lead to serious dysfunction of the knee joint and adversely affect the quality of daily life. There are some causes of this joint disease such as for overweight, age, excessive usage, hormonal changes, genetic factor, and systemic disease (rheumatoid arthritis). Currently, the modern medical treatment of early-stage and middle-stage patients is a non-operative treatment which includes taking non-steroid anti-inflammatory Meds, taking glucosamine, injecting sodium hyaluronate into the articular cavity. The treatment of later period patients is mainly artificial joint replacement. However, the usage of non-steroid anti-inflammatory Meds has obvious gastrointestinal and renal side effects. Moreover, surgical therapy has infected risk.

Acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture therapy has a significant advantage in treating knee osteoarthritis. Acupuncture treatment can effectively eliminate the swelling, relieving pain for a long time, reduce seizure frequency, and the side effect of acupuncture service is very little. The acupuncture treatment of this disease includes two main types: electro-acupuncture and needle warming moxibustion. The key acupuncture points are Dubi, Neixiyan, Heding, Xuehai, Liangqiu, Zusanli, etc. The treatment duration is 30 minutes every time, 3 times every week, 6 times every treatment course. For electric-acupuncture therapy, the intensity of electric current generally depends on patients’ tolerance degree.

Contact us through 09 360 1229, or making an online booking here

Shoulder pain, Frozen shoulder & Acupuncture

By Virginia Jin 25th Feb 2020

Shoulder pain, Frozen shoulder (Periarthritis of the shoulder ), means the shoulder cannot be lifted. There are some common reasons:

1. Rotator cuff injury, there will be a recent history of overuse of the shoulder joint or sports injury history. Typically, the pain is aggravated when the shoulder joint is actively abducted, while it is not obvious when the shoulder joint is passively moved.
2. Frozen shoulder (Periarthritis of the shoulder), commonly occurs in middle-age person around 50 years old, women more than man and left shoulder more than right shoulder, the typical performance is the initial abduction of the shoulder joint pain is not obvious, only when the abduction to nearly 90 degrees, the sudden emergence of pain and pain in the shoulder joint after the extension of the situation. Pain is worse on a night time when the sleeping.

3. Gouty arthritis of the shoulder joints usually has a history of eating a high-purine diet before pain, such as seafood and beans.

Periarthritis of the shoulder and Acupuncture

Frozen shoulder (Periarthritis of the shoulder) is a very common disease in clinical practice, its pathological manifestations are shoulder muscle tension spasm and adhesion, causing shoulder pain and shoulder joint movement limitation. Acupuncture treatment for periarthritis of shoulder treatment is very good, we generally recommend the focus of acupuncture, there are two types. First, acupoint acupuncture method, we can needle the pain points of the shoulder, we call it ‘ASHI’ point, it direct toward pain spots. Second, we can needling common points of the shoulder, such as dazhui, jianjin, jianzhen, tianzong can be used as the key points of acupuncture.

We can also apply the warm acupuncture method, that is, acupuncture and moxibustion can be done locally at the acupuncture points, which is called warm acupuncture, and the other method is called electroacupuncture, which means that we attach electric needles to the acupuncture points, which can stimulate with electricity, and the effect is also very good.

How many acupuncture treatment for frozen shoulder (periarthritis of the shoulder )?

If the patient is sensitive to acupuncture, has a strong sense of acupuncture, has a short course of the disease (not longer then 3 months), and the treatment is timely, the pain can be significantly relieved after a course of treatment. If the clinical course of patients with long, into the shoulder joint and stringy badly, or muscle disuse atrophy, the acupuncture treatment needs the number of times may be longer in general, could be 15 to 20 times treatment.

If you need professional treatment, please call 09 3601229 or make an appointment online here