David Nevins Acupuncture Works™

A Brief Primer of Oriental Medicine

The theoretical foundation of Chinese medicine is rooted in the understanding that the human is connected to the universe and vice versa. The whole person is considered and the constructs of physiology, etiology, diagnostic methods, and treatment principles forms the foundation of understanding disease and how to treat it. The causes of disease are environmental, psychological, and nutritional. Physiological balance is the main goal of any medicine in particular to Chinese medicine is the idea of the person as a whole connected to the universe and not separate.

Chinese medicine is Physiological Regulating Medicine which considers human beings as a unity of mind and body. Treating diseases aims at inducing self-regulatory mechanisms capable of restoring the body's homeostatic balance and preserving all organic functions.

Acupuncture activates complex chain of events that involves the immune system, tissue reactions (histamine release), blood vessels, sensory nerves, somato-visceral pathways (body-organ), autonomic nervous system (or visceral nervous system), the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, afferent and efferent nerves), and the endocrine and exocrine systems.

The effects of an acupuncture treatment are the activation of the circulation of blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body restoring the homeostasis (balance) of the body. Pain relief and the promotion of healing tissues occurs as a result of this restored balance. Acupuncture is but one area within Chinese medicine which incorporates dietary and life style counseling, herbal medicine, physical rehabilitation through various Chinese movement protocols (Tai Qi, Qi Gong), and Tui Na or targeted vigorous massage.

For more information about Traditional Chinese medicine and Acupuncture please contact me at 305-725-1152. Or e-mail david@davidnevinsap.com

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Research

The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) was formed in 1981 to be the unifying force for American acupuncturists committed to high ethical and educational standards, and a well-regulated profession to ensure the safety of the public. The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)

History of Acupuncture: In this section of the library you will find a brief history of acupuncture and herbology written by AAAOM. Following this overview. There is also a myriad of web links covering this history of acupuncture on this AAAOM page. History of Acupuncture:

Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis of the Knee Study Results

A landmark study has shown that acupuncture provides pain relief and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and serves as an effective complement to standard care. The study, the largest Phase III clinical trial of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis, was funded by NCCAM and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, both components of the National Institutes of Health.

Acupuncture May Help Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A pilot study shows that acupuncture may help people with post traumatic stress disorder. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

Michael Hollifield, M.D., and colleagues conducted a clinical trial examining the effect of acupuncture on the symptoms of PTSD. The researchers analyzed depression, anxiety, and impairment in 73 people with a diagnosis of PTSD. The participants were assigned to receive either acupuncture or group cognitive-behavioral therapy over 12 weeks, or were assigned to a wait-list as part of the control group. The people in the control group were offered treatment or referral for treatment at the end of their participation.

The researchers found that acupuncture provided treatment effects similar to group cognitive-behavioral therapy; both interventions were superior to the control group. Additionally, treatment effects of both the acupuncture and the group therapy were maintained for 3 months after the end of treatment.

The limitations of the study are consistent with preliminary research. For example, this study had a small group of participants that lacked diversity, and the results do not account for outside factors that may have affected the treatments' results.

References:

Michael Hollifield, Nityamo Sinclair-Lian, Teddy D. Warner, and Richard Hammerschlag, "Acupuncture for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial." The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, June 2007.

The National Institute of Mental Health has more information on PTSD

Reference Books and Text

  1. Donald E Kendall: Dao of Chinese Medicine: Understanding an ancient healing art Oxford University Press, New York; ©2002 ISBN 0-19-592104-6
  2. Advanced Modern Chinese Acupuncture Therapy, Author: Gang Lin Yin, Zheng Hua Liu, New World Press 2000 ISBN: 7-80005-558-2
  3. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion By Cheng Xinnong (Editor) Publisher: Foreign Languages Press; Revised edition
  4. Acupuncture for stroke rehabilitation: three decades of information from china / Hoy Ping Yee Chan. Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, 2006. ISBN: 9781891845352
  5. Insights of a senior acupuncturist: one combination of points can treat many diseases / by Miriam Lee. 1st ed. Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, 1992. ISBN: 0936185333
  6. Acupuncture: A comprehensive text / Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine translated and edited by John O'Connor and Dan Bensky. Chicago: Eastland Press, 1981. ISBN: 0939616009
  7. Biomedicine: A textbook for practitioners of acupuncture & oriental medicine / Bruce H. Robinson. 1st ed Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, 2007. ISBN: 1891845381
  8. Electroacupuncture / David F. Mayor. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2005. ISBN: 0443063699
  9. The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists / Giovanni Maciocia ; foreword by Su Xin Ming. Edinburgh; New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1989 ISBN: 0443039801
  10. Obstetrics and gynecology in Chinese medicine / Giovanni Maciocia ; foreword by Ted J. Kaptchuk. New York : Churchill Livingstone, 1998. ISBN: 0443054584
  11. The practice of Chinese medicine [Chung yao chen chiu chih liao hsüeh]: the treatment of disease with acupuncture and Chinese herbs / Giovanni Maciocia; foreword by Zhou Zhong Ying. Edinburgh; New York : Churchill Livingstone, c1994. ISBN: 0443043051
  12. Tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine / Giovanni Maciocia. Rev. ed. Seattle: Eastland Press, c1995. ISBN: 093961619X
  13. Su wen. English. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of medicine : a new translation of the Neijing Suwen with commentary / Maoshing Ni. 1st ed. Boston : Shambhala, 1995. ISBN: 1570620806
  14. Huang Ti nei ching su wen. The Yellow Emperor's classic of internal medicine. Chapters 1-34 translated from the Chinese with an introductory study by Ilza Veith. New ed. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1966 [c1949]
  15. Treatment of infertility with Chinese medicine / Jane Lyttleton ; foreword by Steven Clavey. Edinburgh; New York: Churchill Livingstone, 2004. ISBN: 044306640X
  16. Acupuncture & IVF / Lifang Liang. Boulder, CO : Blue Poppy Press, 2003. ISBN: 1891845241
  17. The web that has no weaver : understanding Chinese medicine / Ted J. Kaptchuk. [Rev. ed., newly expanded and updated]. Chicago, Ill : Contemporary Books, c2000. ISBN: 0809228408
  18. Clinical acupuncture: scientific basis / Gabriel Stux, Richard Hammerschlag, editors; with contributions by B.M. Berman [et al.]. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2001. ISBN: 3540640541
  19. The essence and scientific background of tongue diagnosis [She chen yen chiu] / Ze-lin Chen and Mei-fang Chen. Long Beach, CA: Oriental Healing Arts Institute, c1989. ISBN: 0941942295
  20. Golden needle Wang Le-ting = Chin chen Wang Le-t'ing: a 20th century master's approach to acupuncture / Yu Hui-chan & Han Fu-ru; translated by Shuai Xue-zhong. 1st ed. Boulder, Co: Blue Poppy Press, 1997. ISBN: 0936185783

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