Acupuncture May Reduce Depression During Pregnancy

Acupuncture May Reduce Depression During Pregnancy

Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD

A new US study suggests that acupuncture specifically designed for depression may reduce symptoms during pregnancy: although the study was small, the researchers say it is the first of its kind and hope that it raises awareness about depression in pregnancy and helps patients and doctors consider an alternative to antidepressants.

You can read about the study online in the March issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. The lead author is Dr Rachel Manber, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, California.

Co-author Dr Deirdre Lyell, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the School of Medicine, told the media that doctors aren't sure how depression develops in pregnancy, but believe it could be something to do with an influx of hormones, or that some women might feel overwhelmed by the major change in their life, and this could also trigger depression.

"Pregnancy just by its nature can bring out some underlying psychiatric and emotional issues," said Lyell.

"Treatment of depression during pregnancy is critically important so that a woman can maintain her sense of well-being and take good care of herself, her fetus and, someday, her child," she added.

Major depressive disorder is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, gloom and dread, accompanied by a loss of interest in pleasurable activities. The disorder affects up 14 per cent of pregnant women, some of whom start experiencing symptoms in pregnancy, while for others it can be ceasing to take medication during pregnancy that triggers a relapse.

There is evidence, that if lef untreated, depression during pregnancy can lead to poor birth outcomes and postnatal depression. There is also a higher likelihood that the expectant mother may neglect to care for herself and her unborn child, and in extreme cases, engage in self-destructive behavior.

According to a paper published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2007, although use of antidepressants in pregnancy doubled between 1999 and 2003, many women don't take them because they are worried about safety.

Manber said they saw evidence of this in their present study: 94 per cent of the participants said they were reluctant to take antidepressants. She said because of this concern among women and their doctors, she and her colleagues thought it was important to explore alternatives to drugs.

150 women, whose pregnancies were between 12 and 30 weeks gestation, and who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria for major depressive disorder, took part in the study.

The researchers randomly assigned them to one of three groups, the active therapy group and two control groups. For the active therapy group, 52 women received acupuncture designed specifically for depression. For the two control groups, 49 women received acupuncture not specific for depression (needles were inserted at points not thought to treat depression), and 49 received massage.

The women had 8 weeks altogether of their particular therapy, and underwent assessment by interview at weeks 4 and 8. The interviewer did not know which women had undergone which form of treatment.

The results showed that:

• The active therapy group (the women who received acupuncture specific for depression) showed a bigger reduction in depression symptoms than the two control groups.


• The response rate (defined as having at least 50 per cent or more reduction in symptoms) was 63 per cent in the active therapy group, compared with 44 per cent in the two control groups combined.


• Symptom reduction and response rates did not differ significantly between the two control groups.

The authors concluded that:

"The short acupuncture protocol demonstrated symptom reduction and a response rate comparable to those observed in standard depression treatments of similar length and could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy."

The researchers said they were pleased but not surprised by the findings. An earlier pilot had already shown similar results and other studies involving the general public have also shown acupuncture can relieve depression.

As Lyell explained:

"I don't think that one-size-fits-all treatments are appropriate for everyone, but acupuncture should be considered as an option."

"I hope that people will respect the rigorous methodology used in this blinded, randomized, controlled trial and accept the result: Traditional acupuncture was associated with a significant improvement in depression," she urged.

Manber and Lyell said they will be continuing their research into women's health in pregnancy and after birth.

"Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial."
Manber, Rachel; Schnyer, Rosa N.; Lyell, Deirdre; Chambers, Andrea S.; Caughey, Aaron B.; Druzin, Maurice; Carlyle, Erin; Celio, Christine; Gress, Jenna L.; Huang, Mary I.; Kalista, Tasha; Martin-Okada, Robin; Allen, John J. B.
Obstetrics & Gynecology, March 2010 - Volume 115 - Issue 3 - pp 511-52.
Source: Stanford School of Medicine.

Copyright: Medical News Today www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180329.php

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The Fifth Annual Fertility Expo is Saturday, October 16th, 2010 Print A Flyer And Share!

The Fifth Annual Fertility Expo by Reproductive Wellness is right around the corner os Saturday, October 16th 2010.

Visit Our Fertility Expo Website to print out your free ticket and to view the exciting schedule of events!

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Oral Health Centre

Oral Health Center

Acupuncture puts nervous dental patients at ease

Acupuncture treatment before dental work calms anxious patients according to English and Danish researchers

By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks

Acupuncture needles stuck into two strategic spots on the head may reduceanxiety levels of highly nervous dental patients, new research indicates.
The needles induce relaxation and reduce the fear that all but paralyses some people facing dental treatments, say researchers from England and Denmark.

In a study published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, acupuncture treatment was performed in 16 women and four men from eight dental practices. Each of the patients had been rated as moderately or extremely anxious based on a questionnaire scale called the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

Assessing anxiety

The BAI scores of the individuals were assessed before and five minutes after acupuncture treatment involving two specific points on the top of the head.
The dentists, all members of the British Dental Acupuncture Society, carried out the experiments, and average BAI scores fell to 11.5 from 26.5. The acupuncture treatments worked so well that all 20 people managed to have their dental procedures carried out.

Many of us don’t like going to the dentist

The authors write that about 5% of patients in Europe have severe dental anxiety called odontiatophobia and 20%-30% report moderate anxiety. Several techniques had been used to help patients overcome their fear of dental treatments, such as relaxation therapy, biofeedback, and hypnosis. Those techniques may work, but they are time consuming and require psychotherapeutic skills.

The authors conclude that acupuncture “prior to dental treatment has a beneficial effect on the level of anxiety in patients with dental anxiety and may offer a simple and inexpensive method of treatment.” However, they say the results need to be tested and validated in a larger trial.

http://www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/news/20100330/acupuncture-puts-nervous-dental-patients-at-ease

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Anemia – accupuncture and Chinese medicine

Anemia – accupuncture and Chinese medicine

In anemia, body tissues are deprived of oxygen due to a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells. There are more than 400 forms of anemia. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and a general feeling of malaise (mild anemia); burning tongue (vitamin B12 anemia); weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath, and faintness or dizziness (severe anemia); pasty or yellowish skin and bluish lips, pale gums, nail beds, eyelid linings, or palm creases (strong signs of anemia); and movement or balance problems, slick tongue, confusion, depression, memory loss, and tingling in extremities (pernicious anemia). Other possible symptoms include headache, insomnia, decreased appetite, poor concentration, and irregular heartbeat. Iron overload can occur from taking iron supplements. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever, jaundice, lethargy, and seizures.

Chinese Medicine

Anemia, or deficient blood, is treated with acupuncture and herbal therapies. Asian ginseng is used as a general tonic for fatigue. Dong quai (dang gui) has been used alone for thousands of years as a blood tonic. It may be combined with Chinese foxglove root or astragalus.

Zhou and Zhou (1990) reported a study treating anemia using the principle of bu-shen yi-qi. In their study, 60 people with orthostatic dysregulation were randomly divided into a treatment group (received Chinese herbs under the principle of bu-shen yi-qi) and a control group (received oryzanol and vitamins B1 and B6). Herbs selected were rich in trace elements, including iron (enhances red blood cell action) and zinc. After 1 month, results showed that 16 members of the treatment group and 4 members of the control group had significantly improved. Of the total group, 43, or 71%, also clinically expressed mild anemia. Blood was drawn before and after treatment Blood values for red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hyper-chromia in 20 participants in the treatment group were significantly improved; 17 of the controls remained unchanged.

Zee-Cheng (1992) reported the use of Shi-quan-da-bu-tang (10 significant tonic decoction, or SQT), a combination traditionally used for anemia, anorexia, extreme exhaustion, fatigue, kidney and spleen insufficiency, and general weakness. In the study, the combination was used to restore immunity in people diagnosed with cancer, potentiate the therapeutic effect, and ameliorate the adverse toxicity of anticanccr agents. Zee-Cheng reported the results of 8 years of animal and human studies showing that SQT ameliorates anemia, among other conditions, by “toning the blood and strengthening Q (vital energy).”

Su, He, and Chen (1993) reported on a study of an herbal preparation, Man-Shen Ling, which consists of medicinal herbs such as astragalus and rehmannia. The combination was markedly effective for anemia and showed no adverse effects on liver, kidney, heart, or gastrointestinal tract functions.

Zhang, Shi, and Fan (1995) reported the use of Chinese medicinal herbs and vitamin C for 43 children with aplastic anemia treated with fetal blood transfusion. The treatment group receiving Chinese medicinal herbs and blood transfusion improved by 88.9% (chronic aplastic anemia) and 62.5% (acute aplastic anemia), as compared to 46% for the blood transfusion-alone group.

Foods and Supplements

Caffeinated or decaffeinated tea, coffee, or cola should be avoided with meals because caffeine and the tannin in black tea inhibit iron absorption. Instead, citrus juices rich in vitamin C ore recommended to enhance iron absorption. The chronic use of alcoholic beverages should also be avoided. These can interfere with the ability to absorb folic acid.

Iron-rich foods include parsley (also contains vitamin C, which promotes iron absorption), broccoli, tomatoes, dried beans, blackstrap molasses, dried fruits, almonds, liver, poultry, and red meat. Vitamin C and copper also promote iron absorption.

To enhance red blood cell production, the following foods should be eaten fresh or minimally cooked to preserve their folic acid content: dark green vegetables, milk, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, pumpkin, liver, and eggs. Salmon and mackerel are good sources of vitamin B12, and black-eyed peas, beans, and lentils provide folate. Vegetarians arc at risk for vitamin B12 anemia because the vitamin is found only in animal products and fermented foods. Vegetarians need to include dairy products, eggs, and fermented foods, such as miso, tofu, and tempch, in their diet. Iron supplements and/or some vitamin supplements con provide excess iron that can be harmful.

http://www.naturalhealthcure.org/therapies/anemia-accupuncture-chinese-medicine.html

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Acupuncture shown to stimulate the brain

Acupuncture shown to stimulate the brain

Danny Rose, Medical Writer

September 14, 2010

AAP

Acupuncture has been shown to prompt changes in the "mood regulation" area of the brain, pointing to a possible and potent treatment for depression.

The Australian-first research, conducted at the University of NSW, took in ten healthy patients who each underwent MRI brain scans while they received the ancient Chinese therapy.

Dr Im Quah-Smith said it was the first study to map acupuncture-related changes in brain functioning, while the study was designed to include an extra step to boost its scientific rigour.

"This the is the first time that a whole series of (acupuncture) points have been used together and the sum effect has been measured in the brain," Dr Quah-Smith told AAP on Tuesday.

"... We were interested to see if we use these points would it help any of our depressed patients? - and it would because it is working in the part of the brain that is inherently involved in mood regulation."

Dr Quah-Smith said despite a growing body of evidence showing acupuncture to have a detectable effect on the body, there were many in the medical community who viewed it as a "highly alternative" therapy supported only by "poorly designed trials".

One of the major stumbling blocks to conducting a gold-standard randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial was that it was very difficult to administer a "sham" version of acupuncture.

"A true placebo has to be administered in such a way that you are not contributing to some of the real acupuncture effect," Dr Quah-Smith said.

She avoided this problem by using a form of laser acupuncture that can be dialled down to a level where it does not produce a skin sensation, but still exerts the necessary pressure on the acupuncture point.

"It is beautiful, because in a clinical situation you can have the delivery of the acupuncture without recipients knowing whether it is real or not real," Dr Quah-Smith said.

The study participants showed significant differences in their brain functioning when they were unknowingly receiving the acupuncture treatment, compared to when they were not.

Dr Quah-Smith said while the scans clearly demonstrated an effect in the brains of healthy people, it remained to be seen whether the results would be different in a sample of clinically depressed subjects.

"We also cannot predict from these results whether any acupoint should be preferred over others for clinical use. Both of these questions warrant further investigation."

The research results are published in the journal PLoS Online.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/acupuncture-shown-to-stimulate-the-brain-20100914-15aou.html

Mayo Study Finds External Qigong Relieves Chronic Pain

Mayo Study Finds External Qigong Relieves Chronic Pain

Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic have found that an ancient Chinese practice can help patients’ chronic pain, specifically Qigong.

Eden Prairie, MN

Just in time for National Pain Awareness Month two new research studies, one by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic, have found that an ancient Chinese practice can help patients’ chronic pain. The practice is called Qigong. The specific style studied is Spring Forest Qigong.

“Subjects with chronic pain who received External Qigong experienced reduction in pain intensity following each Qigong treatment. This is especially impressive given the long duration of pain (>5 years), in the majority of subjects,” writes the study’s lead author, Ann Vincent, MD, MBBS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Seventy million Americans suffer with chronic pain everyday and as the doctors noted in their study, “Adequate clinical management of chronic pain is an on going challenge and a purely pharmaceutical approach has proven inadequate.”

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that promises to affect the body’s subtle energy system. Qi (pronounced – chee) also called ‘chi’ means energy. Gong means work. There are two types of Qigong, internal or personal practice and external. In external Qigong a practitioner uses his/her ability and knowledge to improve the flow of Qi for the person seeking help.

All of the external Qigong treatments in the study were conducted at the Spring Forest Qigong Center in Eden Prairie, MN. The treatments were provided primarily by Chunyi Lin, who is the creator of Spring Forest Qigong. His associate, Jim Nance, provided the remaining external qigong treatments. Nance is Lin’s student and both men are certified qigong masters.

Lin teaches both internal and external Qigong techniques to his students and maintains that he can teach anyone to do what he does. “Each and every one of us is born with the gift of healing. We can help ourselves to heal and we can help others to heal,” says Lin. “We just need to be made aware of this wonderful gift and learn how to use it.”

Lin has made public a training video where he explains the introductory, external Qigong technique he teaches to all of his students. His basic external Qigong technique is called “Sword Fingers.” You can view a 60 second introductory version of the video or the 9 minute teaching version at www.SwordFingers.com.

Another independent research study has found that Internal Qigong, or personal practice of Spring Forest Qigong techniques, also relieves chronic pain. This study, by nursing school professor Dr. Jane Coleman, is to be published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing. Dr. Coleman teaches nursing through the Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/09/prweb4477844.htm

www.awcsandiego.com

Acupuncture shown to stimulate the brain

Acupuncture shown to stimulate the brain

Danny Rose, Medical Writer

September 14, 2010 - 5:54PM

Acupuncture has been shown to prompt changes in the "mood regulation" area of the brain, pointing to a possible and potent treatment for depression.

The Australian-first research, conducted at the University of NSW, took in ten healthy patients who each underwent MRI brain scans while they received the ancient Chinese therapy.

Dr Im Quah-Smith said it was the first study to map acupuncture-related changes in brain functioning, while the study was designed to include an extra step to boost its scientific rigour.

"This the is the first time that a whole series of (acupuncture) points have been used together and the sum effect has been measured in the brain," Dr Quah-Smith told AAP on Tuesday.

"... We were interested to see if we use these points would it help any of our depressed patients? - and it would because it is working in the part of the brain that is inherently involved in mood regulation."

Dr Quah-Smith said despite a growing body of evidence showing acupuncture to have a detectable effect on the body, there were many in the medical community who viewed it as a "highly alternative" therapy supported only by "poorly designed trials".

One of the major stumbling blocks to conducting a gold-standard randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial was that it was very difficult to administer a "sham" version of acupuncture.

"A true placebo has to be administered in such a way that you are not contributing to some of the real acupuncture effect," Dr Quah-Smith said.

She avoided this problem by using a form of laser acupuncture that can be dialled down to a level where it does not produce a skin sensation, but still exerts the necessary pressure on the acupuncture point.

"It is beautiful, because in a clinical situation you can have the delivery of the acupuncture without recipients knowing whether it is real or not real," Dr Quah-Smith said.

The study participants showed significant differences in their brain functioning when they were unknowingly receiving the acupuncture treatment, compared to when they were not.

Dr Quah-Smith said while the scans clearly demonstrated an effect in the brains of healthy people, it remained to be seen whether the results would be different in a sample of clinically depressed subjects.

"We also cannot predict from these results whether any acupoint should be preferred over others for clinical use. Both of these questions warrant further investigation."

The research results are published in the journal PLoS Online.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/acupuncture-shown-to-stimulate-the-brain-20100914-15aou.html

www.awcsandiego.com