Drs Martin & Sue Allbright
'Blending an ancient medical approach of mind and body with modern health'
Acupuncture Research
Structure
Density
Rigidity
Evidence
We would like to share with you our personal view, beliefs and approach about the research that is presented on these pages.
We both value the research of modern science and the many developments that have been discovered.
We also value the depth of wisdom and knowledge of traditional and classical five element acupuncture, which integrates the many aspects of body and mind.
We acknowledge the information gained from research, and we endevaour to use it where appropriate when meeting the needs of an individual who is suffering in health.
We hope later to share more information on the five elements of acupuncture.
Classical Acupuncture
Fibromyalgia (FM)
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this site is accurate. It is not the intention to mislead or misinform anyone.
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(2018) Preliminary findings of a 2-
'Conclusions A 2 months acupuncture treatment provides an important global improvement in the health status in FM patients refractory/intolerant to the pharmacologic therapy. The strongest ameliorations are represented by the reduction in the Tender Points number and in the somatic symptoms.'
(2018) Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Women with Fibromyalgia: Group Acupuncture with Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis-
'Conclusions: Compared with education, group acupuncture improved global symptom impact, pain, and fatigue. Furthermore, it was a safe and well-
(2017) The levels of the neurotransmitter Neuropeptide Y (NPY) are altered by acupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia and it is postulated this may play a role in the pain modulation of FM
(2017) The effects of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
'OBJECTIVE: The aim of this manuscript is to determine and to compare the efficacy of real acupuncture with sham acupuncture on fibromyalgia (FM) treatment.
METHODS: 50 women with FM were randomized into 2 groups to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Subjects were evaluated with VAS (at night, at rest, during activity), SF-
The acupuncture points employed were LI 4, ST 36, LV 3, GB 41, GB 34, GB 20, SI 3, SI 4, UB 62, UB 10, SP 6, HT 7, DU 20, DU 14, Kd 27, Ren 6, PC 6. Control Park sham needle.
RESULTS: 25 subjects with a mean age of 47,28±7,86 years were enrolled in true acupuncture group and 25 subjects with a mean age of 43,60±8,18 years were enrolled in sham acupuncture group. Both groups improved significantly in all parameters 1 month after the 1st session and this improvement persisted 2 months after the 1st session (p<0,05). However, real acupuncture group had better scores than sham acupuncture score in terms of all VAS scores, BDI and FIQ scores either 1 or 2 months after the 1st session (all p<0,05).
CONCLUSION: Acupuncture significantly improved pain and symptoms of FM. Although sham effect was important, real acupuncture treatment seems to be effective in treatment of FM.'
(2017) Alterations of brain activity in fibromyalgia patients
'Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Functional Magnetic Resonance (fMRI) have been used to gather evidence regarding the changes of brain morphologies and activities in fibromyalgia patients.'
'Those findings suggested that non-
(2017) Acupuncture decreased the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with fibromyalgia in Taiwan: a nationwide matched cohort study.
(2016) Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) –Newer Concepts in Pathogenesis Diagnosis, and Treatment.
Pathophysiology of FMS including reference to benefit of acupuncture.Table 4
(2012) Decreased Intrinsic Brain Connectivity Is Associated With Reduced Clinical Pain in Fibromyalgia
‘Conclusion. Our findings suggest that intrinsic
brain connectivity can be used as a candidate objective
marker that reflects changes in spontaneous chronic
pain within individual FM patients. We propose that
intrinsic connectivity measures could potentially be
used in either research or clinical settings as a complementary, more objective outcome measure for use in FM.’
Basically to summarise, acupuncture applied according to (2005 below), improves brain functioning as measured by intrinsic default mode network(DMN).
(2005) Treatment of fibromyalgia with formula acupuncture: investigation of needle placement, needle stimulation, and treatment frequency.
'Needling Method. The active point formula (Du 20, LI 11, LI 4, GB 34, bilateral St 36, Sp 6, Liv 3, and Ear-
RESULTS: Overall pain improvement was noted with 25%-
CONCLUSIONS: Although needle insertion led to analgesia and improvement in other somatic symptoms, correct needle location and stimulation were not crucial.'
