Stimulated by Hao et al 2026.[1] LDH – lumbar disc herniationRCT – randomised controlled trialBUCM – Beijing University of Chinese MedicineVAS – visual analogue scaleSP – spinous process of the vertebra (the lower border in this case)DN – deep needling group (needles placed at 1 cun lateral to the SP and 60 to 70mm deep)CN … Continue reading Deep acupuncture in LDH 2026
Inspired by Wang et al 2026.[1] EA – electroacupunctureOA – osteoarthritisRCT – randomised controlled trialMA – manual acupunctureDSG – diclofenac sodium gelMCPjs – metacarpophalangeal jointsVAS – visual analogue scaleMCID – minimum clinically important differenceOTC – over the counter (used for medications available to buy without a prescription)QDS – quarter die sumendum (“to be taken 4 … Continue reading EA for hand OA 2026
Stimulated by Deng et al 2026.[1] Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com MwoA – migraine without auraVAS – visual analogue scaleRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorICHD-3 – International Classification for Headache Disorders 3rd editionMA – manual acupuncturePSD – Park sham deviceCIs – 95% confidence intervalsSR – systematic reviewGRADE – Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, … Continue reading Acupuncture for acute MwoA 2026
Inspired by Hang et al 2026.[1] Relevant pages from the BMAS Chronic Pain Protocols book from 2021.Note that this is not exactly the same protocol used in the trial highlighted. EA – electroacupunctureOA – osteoarthritisOAK – OA of the kneeRCT – randomised controlled trialMRI – magnetic resonance imagingMA – manual acupunctureWOMAC – Western Ontario and … Continue reading EA for OAK 2026
Stimulated by Chen et al 2026.[1] Taken from Figure 2 in Chen et al 2026.[1] EA – electroacupuncturePHN – postherpetic neuralgiaIF – impact factorNRS – numerical rating scaleSD – standard deviationMCID – minimum clinically important differenceNMA – network meta-analysisPSQI – Pittsburgh sleep quality index – key to acronyms This is the largest (n=448) study on … Continue reading EA for PHN 2026
Inspired by Ter et al 2026.[1] Photo by How-Soon Ngu on Unsplash. CIPN – chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathyEA – electroacupunctureMSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterCTCAE – common terminology criteria for adverse events (from the US NCI)NCI – National Cancer Institute (US)ADLs – activities of daily livingMA – manual acupunctureNPSI – neuropathic pain symptom inventoryVAS – … Continue reading Acupuncture for CIPN 2026
Stimulated by Wang et al 2026.[1] AI generated image used in a previous blog post – see SCs in endometriosis pain 2024. DOR – diminished ovarian reserveRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorCACMS – China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesAMH – anti-Müllerian hormoneAFC – antral follicle countSAS – self-rating anxiety scaleIQR – interquartile range … Continue reading Acupuncture for DOR 2026
Stimulated by Zhang et al 2026.[1] Figure 1 from Yu et al 2023.[2] EA – electroacupunctureIF – impact factorWDR – wide dynamic rangeSD – Sprague DawleyCFA – complete Freund’s adjuvant (an oily antigenic mixture including heat-killed mycobacteria)PWR – paw withdrawal thresholdAAV – adeno-associated virusRVM – rostral ventromedial medullaGABA – gamma amino butyric acidChR2 – channel rhodopsin … Continue reading Contralateral EA and descending controls 2026
Stimulated by Wang et al 2026.[1] Image by Cristian Newman on Unsplash. PF – plantar fasciitisPHP – plantar heel painIF – impact factorCACMS – China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesRCT – randomised controlled trialEA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureCI – confidence interval – key to acronyms It has been almost 6 years to the day … Continue reading Plantar fasciitis 2026
Stimulated by Sato et al 2026.[1] Photo by Lindsey Franzke on Unsplash. BMS – burning mouth syndromeRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorACUSAR – acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitisARC – acupuncture in routine care (part of the Modellvorhaben Akupunktur)BDI-II – Beck Depression Inventory IIVAS – visual analogue scaleANOVA – analysis of variance – key … Continue reading Acupuncture for BMS 2026
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