EA vs conventional Rx in MUI

Inspired by Liu et al. Mayo Clin Proc 2019.[1] Another huge trial from the team at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing. This follows on from two previous large multicentre trials,[2,3] both of which I have reported on in this blog: https://bmas.blog/2018/10/05/ea-for-chronic-severe-functional-constipation/ and https://bmas.blog/2018/10/11/ea-for-stress-urinary-incontinence/ Having established specific effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in … Continue reading EA vs conventional Rx in MUI →

CHD incidence in RA and acupuncture

Inspired by Wu et al. BMC Complement Altern Med 2018.[1] The title of this paper is rather eye-catching for the Western medic: Acupuncture decreased the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan… Really? Are you suggesting that acupuncture is the next statin? Surely not! Well, let me start by saying … Continue reading CHD incidence in RA and acupuncture →

Hypertension 2018

The Chinese Cochrane Centre in Chengdu. In March 1999 the Chinese Cochrane Centre opened in Chengdu. Now that it has been established for some time, we are starting to see reviews on acupuncture that include the Chinese literature. I remember reviewing one on neuropathic pain for Cochrane,[1] but this one on hypertension was a surprise … Continue reading Hypertension 2018 →

Needling and spasticity

Inspired by Sánchez-Mila Acupunct Med 2018 [1] I have been curious about the potential effect of acupuncture needling in muscles with high tone since witnessing the rapid relief of lumbar muscle spasm following insertion of acupuncture needles whilst serving as a medical officer in the British military. Subsequently I have tried the technique (combined with … Continue reading Needling and spasticity →

e-19th century

Papers from the early 19th century Inspired by Cloquet, Sarlandière, Pelletan, Carraro, and Pouillet, on Acupuncture. Edinburgh Med Surg J 1827;27:190–200. On the 25th October 2018 three rather unusual papers appeared on my PubMed search.[1–3] They were remarkable because they were nearly two centuries late! So I guess there is an ongoing process of digitising … Continue reading e-19th century →

Rewiring the brain with acupuncture

– does sophisticated MRI data point us to optimal treatment? This blog was first published on 25th January 2018 on https://blogs.bmj.com/aim/ For some time, a group on the US east coast have been quietly scanning brains with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and related techniques to examine the effects of acupuncture. They hit the headlines in … Continue reading Rewiring the brain with acupuncture →

EA for stress urinary incontinence

– perhaps via direct pudendal nerve stimulation This blog was first published on 4th December 2017 on https://blogs.bmj.com/aim/ Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Earlier in 2017 this paper popped up in JAMA.[1] It was from the same group that had published a huge multicentre trial of electroacupuncture (EA) for chronic severe functional constipation,[2] which was featured … Continue reading EA for stress urinary incontinence →

EA for chronic severe functional constipation

– it seems to work after an intensive course... This blog was first published on 28th November 2017 on https://blogs.bmj.com/aim/ Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com About a year ago I was surprised to see a sham controlled RCT of electroacupuncture (EA) published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1] I was surprised for several reasons: I review for … Continue reading EA for chronic severe functional constipation →

Segmental EA falls short in ovulation induction

…in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) This blog was first published on 18th November 2017 on https://blogs.bmj.com/aim/ Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Finally I have come to address this topic, some months following publication of an eagerly awaited (at least by me) large clinical trial.[1] I have been a colleague and friend of the second … Continue reading Segmental EA falls short in ovulation induction →