Implanted pigs

Inspired by Sokal et al 2021.[1] Photo by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels.com IF – impact factorVNS – vagal nerve stimulationSpNS – splenic nerve stimulationNVB – neurovascular bundleSpN – splenic nerveSpA – splenic arterySpV – splenic veinIPG – implanted pulse generatoreCAP – evoked compound action potentialLPS – lipopolysaccharide (usually derived from E coli)mABP – mean arterial … Continue reading Implanted pigs →

Acupuncture vs NRT

Inspired by Dai et al 2021.[1] Photo by David Yanutama on Unsplash. NRT – nicotine replacement therapyNMA – network meta-analysiskey to acronyms I wonder how many former smokers have relapsed after that last penalty on Sunday night? I cannot imagine many England football fans resorted to acupuncture after the disappointment of losing on penalties in the Euro … Continue reading Acupuncture vs NRT →

Transfer of FMS with IgG

Inspired by Goebel et al 2021.[1] Graphical abstract from Goebel et al 2021. FMS – fibromyalgia syndromeFM – fibromyalgiaIgG – immunoglobulin GIF – impact factorHC – healthy controlsCM – C-mechanoreceptorCMC – cold-sensitive CMDRGs – dorsal root gangliaSGCs – satellite glial cellsMTrPs – myofascial trigger pointsSHA – self home acupunctureST36 – an area in upper tibialis … Continue reading Transfer of FMS with IgG →

EA for guinea pig OAK

Inspired by Spittler et al 2021,[1] Lam et al 2021,[2] and Ko et al 2021.[3] A Hartley guinea pig – a laboratory breed. EA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureOAK – osteoarthritis of the kneeRCT – randomised controlled trialSR – systematic reviewIF – impact factorC3 – complement component 3 (serum C3 rises in inflammation)VAS – visual … Continue reading EA for guinea pig OAK →

Does acupuncture reduce opioid use?

Stimulated by Pham et al 2021.[1] Photo by Alexandru G Stavrică on Unsplash.Woman in a field of poppies... the original source of opiates – the natural subset of opioids. NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsPT – physical therapyTENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationED – emergency departmentkey to acronyms This is another large retrospective observational cohort trial, … Continue reading Does acupuncture reduce opioid use? →

Post-stroke dementia

Stimulated by Chu et al 2021.[1] Photo by Steven HWG on Unsplash. LHID – Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (Taiwan)NHIRD – National Health Insurance Research Database (Taiwan)CCI – Charlson Comorbidity IndexHR – hazard ratiokey to acronyms We all know that dementia is fast becoming one of the biggest health and social care challenges of our era, … Continue reading Post-stroke dementia →

Acupuncture and MDD

Stimulated by Hu et al 2021.[1] Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash. MDD – major depressive disorderNMA – network meta-analysisEA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureHAMD-17 – Hamilton depression rating scale (17 item)[2]SSRIs – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorsSNRIs – serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitorsNASSAs – noradrenaline and specific serotoninergic antidepressantsTCAs – tricyclic antidepressantskey to acronyms This is the first network … Continue reading Acupuncture and MDD →

Breast pain and MPS

Stimulated by Mandiroğlu et al 2021.[1] Diagram of referred pain patterns from myofascial trigger points by MC. MPS – myofascial pain syndromePM&R – physical medicine and rehabilitationSF–MPQ – Short Form McGill Pain QuestionnaireFiRST – Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Toolkey to acronyms Referred pain from muscle has been an interest of mine since my earliest days in … Continue reading Breast pain and MPS →

Context effects in LBP

Stimulated by Bishop et al 2021.[1] Photo by Benjamin Wedemeyer on Unsplash. LBP – low back painRCT – randomised controlled trialRMDQ – Rowland Morris Disability QuestionnaireMCID – minimum clinically important differencekey to acronyms I have been interested in context effects since Fabrizio Benedetti described the dramatic difference between open and closed administration of opioids in … Continue reading Context effects in LBP →