Acupuncture for endometriosis pain 2023

Stimulated by Li et al 2023.[1] Figure 2 from Li et al 2023.[1] RCT – randomised controlled trialVAS – visual analogue score key to acronyms This is the second moderately large (n=106) controlled trial of acupuncture in endometriosis. It is a sham controlled trial. The first was a similarly sized (n=101) cross-over trial using acupuncture … Continue reading Acupuncture for endometriosis pain 2023

Acupuncture for acute arthritis 2023

Stimulated by Yu and Kim 2023.[1] Figure summarising mechanisms from Yu and Kim 2023.[1] MA – manual acupunctureEA – electroacupunctureSR – systematic reviewPWL – paw withdrawal latencyPWT – paw withdrawal thresholdRoB – risk of biasWMA – Western medical acupunctureNSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs key to acronyms I have long pondered on the difference between what … Continue reading Acupuncture for acute arthritis 2023

Acup* for ARC 2023

Inspired by Chen C et al 2023 and Chen H-T et al 2023.[1,2] Screen grab from the supplementary video file demonstrating the position of the Qiu point.[1] Acup* – Acupressure or AcupunctureARC – acute renal colicRCT – randomised controlled trialIV – intravenousNSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugBCE – before common era (secular version of BC)CE – … Continue reading Acup* for ARC 2023

MTrP needling in GP 2023

Inspired by Yehoshua et al 2023.[1] Needling upper trapezius or GB21 with a subject sitting up and an angle that is tangential to the upper ribcage (from BMAS Points Resource). MTrP – myofascial trigger pointTrP – trigger pointDN – dry needling (mostly MTrP or TrP needling)GP – general practice or general practitioner (whichever is contextually … Continue reading MTrP needling in GP 2023

EA after CS 2022

Inspired by Jin et al 2022.[1] EA protocol used in Jin et al 2022 (left), and what I would do in the same circumstances (right). EA – electroacupunctureCS – caesarean sectionNAPC – number of analgesic pump compressionsPCIA – patient controlled intravenous analgesiaIL-6 – interleukin 6 (a proinflammatory cytokine)TAP – tranversus abdominis plane key to acronyms … Continue reading EA after CS 2022

Muscle vs fascia in LBP

Inspired by Cozacov et al 2022 and others.[1–3] Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.com LBP – low back painQL – quadratus lumborumHC – healthy controlUS – ultrasoundNRS – numerical rating scaleLTR – local twitch responseFM – fibromyalgiaOA – osteoarthritisDOMS – delayed onset muscle soreness key to acronyms This is a small but interesting … Continue reading Muscle vs fascia in LBP

IM for pain in oncology 2022

Inspired by Mao et al 2022.[1] Photo by Yan Krukov on Pexels.com IM – integrative medicineSIO – Society for Integrative OncologyASCO – American Society of Clinical OncologyMSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterAI – aromatase inhibitor (eg letrozole – used to suppress endogenous oestrogen production in women with oestrogen sensitive cancers)CIPN – chemotherapy induced peripheral … Continue reading IM for pain in oncology 2022

Acupuncture for MRM 2022

Inspired by Liu et al 2022.[1] Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash. MRM – menstrual-related migraineMA – manual acupunctureRCT – randomised controlled trialRR50 – responder rate (% of patients with a reduction in headache days of 50% or more)AP – acupuncture point key to acronyms I almost skipped past this paper when it showed up … Continue reading Acupuncture for MRM 2022

Acupuncture for ARC 2022

Inspired by Tu et al 2022.[1] Photo by Anton Nikolov on Unsplash. ARC – acute renal colicBUCM – Beijing University of Chinese MedicineIF – impact factorMA – manual acupunctureIM – intramuscular (injection – a route for administering drugs)NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugaka – also known asde qi – typical needling sensation perceived by the patient … Continue reading Acupuncture for ARC 2022

Acupuncture for BCT

Inspired by Kao et al 2022,[1] and the protocol by Liu et al 2022.[2] Photo by Sam Burriss on Unsplash. BCT – blunt chest traumaNRS – numerical rating scaleFRS – face rating scaleSMI – sustained maximal inspirationHRV – heart rate variabilityHR – heart rateMAP – mean arterial pressurekey to acronyms Two papers from Taiwan appeared … Continue reading Acupuncture for BCT