Acupuncture banishes hay-fever
More and more people suffer from so-called pollen allergies
and really would like to flee to regions where these trees and bushes
do not exist. But as this is seldom possible, allergy sufferers must
find relief in other ways. Meanwhile therapies get better and better.
As well as a new generation of substances, which no longer make you
tired, it is (...) possible to reduce the allergic reaction with the help of
acupuncture.
Alongside medicinal treatment, acupuncture is becoming increasingly
important. A study carried out on behalf of health insurance companies and
concluded last year, showed that the Asian method of treatment to be just as
effective as Antihistamine substances. However the needle pricks are much
better for the body as a whole which is why more and more doctors are offering
this therapy.
Just a few treatments with acupuncture can already bring about an improvement.
The doctor places thin needles at specific points in the skin on the head and
in the ear. During the 20 to 30 minutes that the needles are in place, the
patient already feels an initial relief from the symptoms. "There are patients
who, after two to three treatments have no more symptoms," says Helmut Rüdiger,
Committee Member of the German Doctors' Society for Acupuncture.
Source: Handelsblatt N° 32, 15.02.2005
Prevention by needle: supplanting Headaches
Patients who suffer regularly from headaches, can expect
an improvement in their symptoms from acupuncture sessions. The usefulness
of this method has now been proven in a important clinical study: the
treatment with needles was so effective that the patients suffered headaches
less frequently, needed less medication and were less often unfit for work.
For the study, 401 patients with chronic headaches, in particular migraine,
were chosen at random for either a conventional therapy or one with additional
acupuncture therapy (maximum twelve sessions in three months).
Source: BMJ 2004; 328:744-7
Children cope well with Acupuncture
Boston (Rö). A study by Dr. Yuan-Chi Lin at the children's
hospital in Boston Massachusetts confirms that the fears of children in pain, who
have acupuncture, dwindle with the therapy. Lin examined 75 children who because
of their pain were given acupuncture. Before the first needle-prick 53 percent were
frightened: After the therapy just 5 percent. 72 per cent admitted the therapy had
helped. In 40 percent bodily functions were improved.
Source: Ärzte Zeitung, Nr.195, 29th October 2003
Acupuncture: WHO – a positive judgement
In a recent article the World Health Organisation (WHO) gave acupuncture a good report in many instances.
The effectiveness of the method for lumbago or neck pain was well substantiated in controlled studies,
the analgesia in the majority of types of pain better than with Placebos. In the report controlled studies
from 1998 and 1999 were analysed.
The report is available here on the web.
Source: Ärzte Zeitung, Nr. 123, 08/2003
Well-founded arguments
The DAK (German General Medical Insurance) covers with immediate effect the
costs of acupuncture for pregnancy problems administered by specially qualified doctors.
This method of therapy is a sensible alternative to medication in pregnancy care.
In the eyes of Helmut Rüdinger - Vice-president of the German Medical Council for Acupuncture
- prescribing drugs for a pregnant woman is a tight-rope walk between health of the mother
and possible consequences for the unborn child. Due to fear for possible side-effects, many
women refuse to take any medication during pregnancy. Acupuncture gives the mothers-to-be the
possibility of overcoming health problems without endangering their child. For example this could
be backache, continual vomiting or the pelvic position of the child.
An expert assessment by the health insurance medical department in Niedersachsen (Germany)
confirms that acupuncture can help particularly with excessive morning-sickness. From the
harmless morning nausea which affects almost one in two pregnant women, a real illness can
develop: so-called Hyperemesis - excessive vomiting with a dangerous loss of liquid and
minerals. In the end, it often means admission to hospital is necessary. Hospitalisation of
these women can be avoided when the acupuncture treatment is effective.
It is of particular importance for the DAK that the quality of this new service is assured,
because of the immense differences in the training of acupuncturists. That is why it only
covers the costs of treatment from doctors who have sufficient qualifications in the field
of acupuncture. This includes at least 140 hours training. The DAK reimburses 25 euros per session.
Source: DAK Magazine Fit, 3/2003
Experiences with Acupuncture
Interview with Dr. Helmut Rüdinger, Vice-president of the German Medical Council for Acupuncture:
What are the advantages of acupuncture over conventional medicine in the treatment of pain?
Dr. Rüdinger: The direct relief from pain and inflammation has a positive effect on the
psyche: Acupuncture calms and relaxes. Thereby many patients gain objectivity to their illness.
This is particularly important for those with chronic pain. Obviously this saves on pain and
muscle-relaxing medicines as well as psychopharmacological drugs. And another advantage: many
acupuncture doctors have learnt to think past the purely scientific and see the patient as a whole
There is still insufficient research on Acupuncture. Why is that?
Dr. Rüdinger: That acupuncture works is not disputed by acupuncture doctors or the successfully
treated patients. Although there are many studies, the results are not satisfactory because the
studies until a short while ago were carried out without controlling the professional quality of
the acupuncturist. Only recently has this quality been taken into consideration - for instance
in the DAK pilot project - whereby only well-trained doctors can take part. Naturally they achieve
better results. And then till now acupuncture had no lobby with money for more extensive research.
For which illnesses has acupuncture proved to be particularly beneficial?
Dr. Rüdinger: First of all there are the three diagnoses mentioned in the
DAK Pilot Project, chronic pain in the head and the lumbar vertebrae as well as osteoarthritis.
On top of these there is a list of other illnesses and complaints I like to treat with acupuncture.
Well documented scientifically, acupuncture for nausea and vomiting is especially important
in pregnancy. There is a good chance that pregnant women can stop smoking. Many pregnant smokers
want to give up cigarettes, but they know that nicotine plasters and similar medication can damage
the unborn child. As acupuncture is no substitute for the decision to give up smoking, it is essential
that the patient is able to refrain from smoking at least 24 hours before the acupuncture. Under these
conditions I recommend that the DAK pays an extra subsidy.
Source: DAK Magazine Fit, 3/2003
Acupuncture against Enuresis nocturna.
15 -20% of five year olds, 5% of 10 year olds and 2 to 3% of all young people wet
the bed at least once a month. Usually treatment is in the form of behavioural therapy and drugs. But
acupuncture is also used.
In a Turkish study the effectiveness of traditional Chinese acupuncture is tested on 50 children
and young people (23 boys) between the ages of 9 and 18. The effectiveness of the treatment was excellent.
Within 6 months 86% of the patients were completely dry, 10% almost dry (in at least 80% of the nights).
The relapse quota up to now is only 5% - with a maximal period of observation of 17 months.
Source: Der Heilpraktiker/Volksheilkunder 4/2003
Patients’ response to acupuncture enormous.
Around 26,000 inhabitants of Baden-Wurttemberg have benefited from the pilot projects of
several health insurance companies during the last two years.
Stuttgart (mm). Around 8,000 patients during the last two years - since the start of the
pilot project of the TK - Technicians’ Insurance Company - have undergone acupuncture
treatment for chronic pain of the lumbar vertebrae.
According to the Charitas University Clinic in Berlin, who looked after the study,
the complaints and pain improved in around 90% of the patients. According to the TK,
1,500 doctors took part in the Pilot Project, to which the Bosch BKK (Company Medical
Insurance), Daimler-Chrysler BKK and other insurance companies joined in July 2001.
The doctors taking part had to prove 140 hours of training and have their credentials
examined by the TK. For the total of ten sessions which are each required to last at
least 30 minutes, the doctor can charge the patient 35 Euros. The three insurance companies
reimburse the patient these costs, withholding 10% Selbstbehalt. Excepted from this rule,
are all those insured who are not required to pay their own share of costs.
Apart from chronic pain in the lumbar vertebrae, patients can also have treatment from
a qualified acupuncture practitioner for head and joint pain. Around 18,000 patients
insured by the TK, Bosch BKK and the Daimler Chrysler BKK have taken advantage of this offer.
With the Pilot Project which lasts until 2008, the effectiveness of acupuncture as a
method of treatment is being tested scientifically. If it is proved to be effective,
then the three insurance groups hope to recognise acupuncture as a regular benefit of the
state insurance companies.
Source: ÄZ Nr. 52, März 2003
With Acupuncture...
...US doctors want to improve the quality of life for
gravely ill patients with a colo-rectal carcinoma. According to the University
of Pittsburgh medical centre, more than 100 patients with metastatic colo-rectal
carcinomas will take part in the study.
Source: ÄZ Nr. 43 2003
Backache pricked away
Düsseldorf - special acupuncture, combined with conventional-orthopaedic measures,
improves the treatment of chronic back pain (Pain 99, 2002, 587-597).
This has been discovered by Orthopaedist Albrecht F. Molsburger together with
researchers at the UNI Düsseldorf. 186 patients took part in "the most thorough
study of this kind up to now". "From Chinese and western specialist literature
we have filtered out the essence of prick combinations most suitable for acupuncture
therapy," Molsberger explains the procedure.
Based on Molsberger's information, three months after ending the treatment the general
practitioners who were not involved in the study, established that pain was reduced by
at least 50% in 77% of the specially-treated patients. In both control groups not even
one third of those affected had reached this goal.
Source: Ärtzliche Praxis Nr. 92 / 2002
Acupuncture speeds up births
Hamburg (dpa). The results of a study at the Women's Clinic in Mannheim showed that
acupuncture preparing for a birth reduces the length of the birth for women giving
birth for the first time by over two hours on average. Wolfgang Zieger from Mannheim
and his colleagues made a study of 900 women bearing children for the first time. 330
received acupuncture following the so-called Rome scheme. This meant women from the 36th
week of pregnancy were treated once a week on the hand, the side of the leg and the little
toe. Just as many women received no treatment, the others belonged to a placebo group.
While the birth for those not treated lasted on average ten hours, the babies of those
treated with the Rome method of acupuncture came after eight hours. There is no explanation
how acupuncture helps the births.
Source: ÄZ Nr. 110, 17. Juni 2002
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