Bilateral acupuncture analgesia observed by quantitative sensory testing in healthy volunteers.

Background: There is evidence that acupuncture activates different spinal and supraspinal antinociceptive systems, but the specific modulatory effects on the sensory system have not been systematically investigated. In this study, we evaluated the immediate effects of different types of acupuncture on thermal, mechanical, and vibratory sensory thresholds.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy volunteers (12 men and 12 women, mean age 33.

Doctor training and practice of acupuncture: results of a survey.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Although courses in acupuncture are increasingly available to doctors, little is known about educational outcomes, or the impact on doctor practices. We sought to characterize doctors who seek acupuncture training, and describe acupuncture practice and referral patterns after training.

Methods: Using a self-administered survey of doctors completing a 300-hour acupuncture course at Harvard Medical School between 2000 and 2005, we obtained information regarding doctor characteristics, reasons for seeking training, subsequent practice and referral patterns, perceived efficacy, and barriers to using acupuncture.

Complementary and alternative medicine for noncancer pain.

In summary, the past several years have shown an increase in the quality of trials examining the clinical efficacy of various CAM modalities for pain conditions. There is still need to raise the quality of the studies from a scientific and methodological point of view in many areas of CAM research by randomization, appropriate sample size, blinding, and developing more sophisticated sham procedures. However, much work still has to be done to find ways to preserve the clinical authenticity of CAM treatment methods when brought into the light of a research protocol.

Somatosensory cortical plasticity in carpal tunnel syndrome treated by acupuncture.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve characterized by paresthesias and pain in the first through fourth digits. We hypothesize that aberrant afferent input from CTS will lead to maladaptive cortical plasticity, which may be corrected by appropriate therapy. Functional MRI (fMRI) scanning and clinical testing was performed on CTS patients at baseline and after 5 weeks of acupuncture treatment.

Tai Chi versus brisk walking in elderly women.

Purpose: to compare the effects of a short style of Tai Chi versus brisk walking training programme on aerobic capacity, heart rate variability (HRV), strength, flexibility, balance, psychological status and quality of life in elderly women.

Methods: nineteen community-dwelling, sedentary women (aged 71.4 +/- 4.

Neuropathic low back pain.

In this discussion, we hope to advance a clinical approach to low back pain that is more in line with our modern understanding of neuropathic pain. We review the current understanding of normal and pathologic neuroanatomy of the lumbar spine and then outline how pathology in the different structures can lead to neuropathic pain and cause common pain patterns seen in clinical practice. We also detail the available treatments for neuropathic low back pain.

The role of acupuncture in pain management.

This article reviews the theories and applications of acupuncture to musculoskeletal pain management. First, Chinese theories of acupuncture are discussed briefly. Next, current understanding of nociception and central pain modulation is discussed in detail,followed by discussion of the physiologic effect of acupuncture analgesia.

Bilateral activation of motor unit potentials with unilateral needle stimulation of active myofascial trigger points.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if there are electromyographic differences between active and latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) during trigger point needling.

Design: A total of 21 subjects were recruited prospectively. The experimental group consisted of 13 subjects who had active myofascial pain in the neck for >6 mos.

Acupuncture in the management of myofascial pain and headache.

Acupuncture encompasses a host of healing techniques that have been practiced for more than 2000 years. Many different techniques and styles are in use in the West. The scientific study of acupuncture regarding its effectiveness has proven to be problematic and definitive studies are few.