Guest guest Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7167362/Acupuncture-lessens-pain-in\ -brain-not-body-scientists-discover.html Acupuncture works by making the brain, rather than the body, no longer experience pain, according to new research. Scientists who scanned the brains of volunteers as they were given the Chinese therapy found it deactivated pathways that govern pain. Complementary medicine expert Dr Hugh MacPherson, of the University of York, said: " These results provide objective scientific evidence that acupuncture has specific effects within the brain which hopefully will lead to a better understanding of how acupuncture works. " The findings, published in Brain Research, suggest acupuncture has a significant effect on specific nerve structures. Dr MacPherson and colleagues explained when a patient receives acupuncture treatment a sensation called deqi can be obtained. Scientific analysis showed this switches off areas within the brain that are associated with the processing of pain. Dr MacPherson said: " We carried out two tests of acupuncture on our participants, one where the needles are inserted at a shallow depth which is the practise in Japan and the other where they went in much deeper which is the Chinese tradition. " We found 10 out of the 17 experienced 'deqi' while the others didn't, and this appeared to help in deactivating areas in the brain that are associated with pain. " The Chinese have been using acupuncture for 2,000 years for wide ranging illnesses but we have only touched the surface at the moment. " We believe it can help relieve a number of conditions, including depression which we have recruited 640 people for another study where half will receive acupuncture and the others counselling. " Last summer acupuncture was recommended for the first time by the drugs watchdog NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) as a treatment option for NHS patients with lower back pain. Guidelines now state that GPs should " consider offering a course of acupuncture comprising a maximum of ten sessions over a period of up to twelve weeks " for patients with this common condition. Co researcher Dr Aziz Asghar, a neuroscientist at Hull York Medical School, added: " The results are fascinating. Whether such brain deactivations constitute a mechanism which underlies or contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is an intriguing possibility which requires further research. " The team is currently researching if acupuncture has the ability to successfully treat irritable bowel syndrome and depression. Previous studies have indicated the holistic treatment works on knee pain and migraines. Dr MacPherson and colleagues say their research could help to clear the way for acupuncture to be more broadly accepted as a treatment option on the NHS for a number of medical conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2010 Report Share Posted February 20, 2010 I believe in Acupuncture and opening up of the channels and chi energies. working on the Brain.....I have heard somewhere, can't remember where, that acupuncture can help with a brain cancer person. A friend of mine has Glioblastoma tumor, very aggressive, but also this person has lived in fear for a long time of there roomate. there are many fears involved, and to no end, have we been successful in talking him into getting out of such a negative enviromnent. Glioblastoma tumor is a very aggressive and will regrow again within a time. this type tumor when beginning its growth, sends out feelers for blood an oxygen supply which in turn feeds the tumor and grows. even if the tumor were surgically somewhat removed, the source of the feeding comes back. Through acupuncture, I feel there is a way of stopping this and reversing this.. yes? no? , " virgil " <virgil wrote: > > http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7167362/Acupuncture-lessens-pain-in\ -brain-not-body-scientists-discover.html > > Acupuncture works by making the brain, rather than the body, no longer experience pain, according to new research. > > Scientists who scanned the brains of volunteers as they were given the Chinese therapy found it deactivated pathways that govern pain. > > Complementary medicine expert Dr Hugh MacPherson, of the University of York, said: " These results provide objective scientific evidence that acupuncture has specific effects within the brain which hopefully will lead to a better understanding of how acupuncture works. " > > The findings, published in Brain Research, suggest acupuncture has a significant effect on specific nerve structures. > > Dr MacPherson and colleagues explained when a patient receives acupuncture treatment a sensation called deqi can be obtained. Scientific analysis showed this switches off areas within the brain that are associated with the processing of pain. > > Dr MacPherson said: " We carried out two tests of acupuncture on our participants, one where the needles are inserted at a shallow depth which is the practise in Japan and the other where they went in much deeper which is the Chinese tradition. > > " We found 10 out of the 17 experienced 'deqi' while the others didn't, and this appeared to help in deactivating areas in the brain that are associated with pain. > > " The Chinese have been using acupuncture for 2,000 years for wide ranging illnesses but we have only touched the surface at the moment. > > " We believe it can help relieve a number of conditions, including depression which we have recruited 640 people for another study where half will receive acupuncture and the others counselling. " > > Last summer acupuncture was recommended for the first time by the drugs watchdog NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) as a treatment option for NHS patients with lower back pain. > > Guidelines now state that GPs should " consider offering a course of acupuncture comprising a maximum of ten sessions over a period of up to twelve weeks " for patients with this common condition. > > Co researcher Dr Aziz Asghar, a neuroscientist at Hull York Medical School, added: " The results are fascinating. Whether such brain deactivations constitute a mechanism which underlies or contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is an intriguing possibility which requires further research. " > > The team is currently researching if acupuncture has the ability to successfully treat irritable bowel syndrome and depression. Previous studies have indicated the holistic treatment works on knee pain and migraines. > > Dr MacPherson and colleagues say their research could help to clear the way for acupuncture to be more broadly accepted as a treatment option on the NHS for a number of medical conditions. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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