EA and the gut microbiome

Inspired by Wang et al 2021.[1] Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.comWhilst I think EA is great in KOA, the most direct way of influencing the microbial diversity in the gut is through what we chose to put in it. All the data suggests that colourful vegetables are probably the most important component of diet … Continue reading EA and the gut microbiome →

Distant vs local needling

Inspired by Yu et al 2021.[1] Photo by Dylann Hendricks | 딜란 on Unsplash. PoPS – principles of point selectionOA – osteoarthritisVAS – visual analogue scaleROM – range of movementHNCS – heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulationDNIC – diffuse noxious inhibitory controlkey to acronyms I will immediately admit that I am always biased in this debate in … Continue reading Distant vs local needling →

Acupuncture for CP CPPS

Inspired by Sun et al 2021.[1] Points used in the trial adapted from Supplement 3 of the publication.[1] CP – chronic prostatitisCPPS – chronic pelvic pain syndromeRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorNIH-CPSI – National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom IndexMA – manual acupunctureMCID – minimal clinically important differenceSUI – stress urinary incontinencekey … Continue reading Acupuncture for CP CPPS →

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 →

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 →

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 antidepressants key to acronyms This is the first … Continue reading Acupuncture and MDD →

Consider acupuncture for chronic pain

Stimulated by NG193.[1] Photo by Arno Smit on Unsplash. NICE – National Institute for Health & Care ExcellencecLBP – chronic low back painMSK – musculoskeletalGERAC – German acupuncture trials (large 3 arm trials with ~1000 patients in each)MCID – minimum clinical important differenceLA – local anaestheticCRPS – complex regional pain syndromeRFD – radiofrequency denervation. key … Continue reading Consider acupuncture for chronic pain →

EA for sleep

Stimulated by Li et al 2020,[1] and Yu et al 2020.[2] Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com EA – electroacupuncturePSQI – Pittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexPMI – perimenopausal insomniaMA – manual acupunctureCBT-I – cognitive behaviour therapy for insomniaMSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentreISI – Insomnia Severity Indexkey to acronyms I am starting the year with a … Continue reading EA for sleep →

Acupuncture in the ED 2020

Stimulated by an email from a colleague in Australia re Jan et al 2020;[1] plus Cohen et al 2017.[2] Photo by NCI on Unsplash. ED –Emergency DepartmentBFA – BattleField AcupunctureIF – Impact Factorkey to acronyms This week I am focussing on the possible role for acupuncture as a non-pharmacological adjunct or alternative analgesic intervention for … Continue reading Acupuncture in the ED 2020 →

Intensive EA/MA in OAK

Inspired by Tu et al 2020.[1] Photo by Anna Auza on Unsplash. EA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureOA – osteoarthritisOAK – OA kneeRR – responder rateNRS – numerical rating scaleWOMAC – Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis indexMCII – minimum clinically important improvementGERAC – German acupuncture (trial)ARC – acupuncture in routine care (trial) key to … Continue reading Intensive EA/MA in OAK →