Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Acupuncture Methods for TMD-Related Pain: A Randomized Clinical Study

Purpose. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three acupuncture methods for temporomandibular disorders- (TMDs-) related pain. Materials and Methods. Different locations of pain, according to DC/TMD clinical assessment, were considered: temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, head, and neck. Sixty patients were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups (20 patients in each): group BA received body acupuncture, group EA received electroacupuncture, and group CA received acupuncture + cupping. The groups were compared in terms of pain (verbal numeric scale), pain-related disability (Brief Inventory Pain, BPI), and impression of the treatment’s effectiveness (Patients' Global Impression of Improvement Scale, PGI-I). These were recorded before sessions of acupuncture treatment (T0), after 8 sessions of acupuncture treatment (T1), and after 4 weeks of follow-up after treatment (T2). The between-group and within-group differences in the data were analyzed statistically. The baseline characteristics were similar in all groups ( p > 0.05 ). Results. Significant improvements were noted in all types of pain compared to baseline values in all groups (all p < 0.05 ). No significant differences were noted in the improvement of TMDs-related pain according to the different acupuncture techniques (all p > 0.05 ). All acupuncture methods used resulted to be significantly effective in improving the pain-related interference in the patient’s common activities and quality of life. EA resulted to be significantly more effective than BA and CA in improving the interference of pain with patients’ mood ( p = 0.015 ) and quality of sleep ( p = 0.014 ). Conclusion. BA, EA, and CA are all effective acupuncture methods in reducing pain and pain interference with common activities and quality of life in patients affected by TMD.

Values of Obese Male Patients Performed with Acupuncture

Obesity is a disease defined by excessive fat storage in the body. It is an energy balance problem; the increase in body fat is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The practice of acupuncture views the body as a combination of the soul and the body, not merely as a physical structure. This interpretation can lead to a successful therapy for the treatment of chronic pain. One of the factors for its success is the concept of the functional evaluation of the organ. According to acupuncture, the organs are alive and vitality is provided by the energy of life called ‘’qi’’ Pathogens that interrupt and obstruct the flow of qi form diseases. Acupuncture needles are inserted at specific points on the Bonghan channels and the qi stream is regulated by electron transfer. The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 in xxx University’s GETAT Center. Patients aged between 18–65 years with a BMI > 25 were included in the study. Acupuncture was shown to be effective not only in the obese groups but also in the control groups. Therefore, it could be beneficial in preventing weight gain. Both ear and body acupuncture points were used effectively in obesity patients. Therefore, acupuncture may be recommended as an effective adjunct in the treatment of obesity. Acupuncture can reduce the stress of patients on diets and increase patient compliance.

Wrist Ankle Acupuncture (WAA) and Body Acupuncture Accelerates Neurorehabilitation in Bell's Palsy: A Case Report

Bell’s Palsy (BP) is an acute unilateral facial paralysis due to idiopathic inflammation of the peripheral facial nerve. Corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, and physical therapy could be useful to treat BP, however these treatments could not bring complete recovery. Acupuncture could be an alternative option for BP and to show its effectiveness, we present a case report, a patient with BP treated with acupuncture. A 48-year-old female patient, a kindergarden teacher, already treated with corticosteroid and antiviral agents as soon as BP was diagnosed. Six weeks later, patient didn’t recover, with House-Brackmann score stage 3. Acupuncture was perfomed at local and distance acupoints at ears, body and face. Wrist Ankle Acupuncture (WAA) L1,2; ear acupuncture at zero point; and body points were stimulated by electroacu-puncture. After acupuncture therapy, the House-Brackmann score was grade 2. Medical options for the sequelae of BP are limited. Acupuncture’s effectivity in Bell palsy patients’ should be shown with more clinical studies. Keywords: Acupuncture; Wrist Ankle Acupuncture; Bell’s Palsy; Recovery

Values of Obese Male Patıents Performed Wıth Acupuncture

Obesity is a disease defined by excessive fat storage in the body. It is an energy balance problem; the increase in body fat is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The practice of acupuncture views the body as a combination of the soul and the body, not merely as a physical structure. This interpretation can lead to a successful therapy for the treatment of chronic pain. One of the factors for its success is the concept of the functional evaluation of the organ. According to acupuncture, the organs are alive and vitality is provided by the energy of life called ‘’qi’’ Pathogens that interrupt and obstruct the flow of qi form diseases. Acupuncture needles are inserted at specific points on the Bonghan channels and the qi stream is regulated by electron transfer. The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 in xxx University’s GETAT Center. Patients aged between 18–65 years with a BMI > 25 were included in the study. Acupuncture was shown to be effective not only in the obese groups but also in the control groups. Therefore, it could be beneficial in preventing weight gain. Both ear and body acupuncture points were used effectively in obesity patients. Therefore, acupuncture may be recommended as an effective adjunct in the treatment of obesity. Acupuncture can reduce the stress of patients on diets and increase patient compliance.

Acupuncture and Phytotherapy Applications in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Phytotherapy, medicinal and aromatic plants, algae, fungi and lichens, or their extracts, such as gum, balsam and resin, extracts, essential oils, candles and fixed oils with herbal preparations prepared in various forms (tea, capsule, tablet, syrup, drop , lozenges, sachets, etc.) to be protected from diseases, to treat diseases or to support treatment. Phytotherapy; It is based on scientific research and clinical studies. Historically, it has been the primary support of doctors in the treatment of diseases. Objective:We offer here; In addition to the treatment of obesity with acupuncture and phytotherapeutically artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale FH Wigg.) using antidepressants for many years, the treatment of obesity with impaired obesity and elevated liver enzymes. It is a case where a positive decrease is achieved in liver enzymes by giving mix extract. Methods: Yin-tan, Memory, Kid-3, Liv-3, St-36,24,25 in body acupuncture, Shen-men, stomach, larynx, jerome, kidney points were pinned in ear acupuncture. When patients who apply to the outpatient clinic need phytotherapeutic support, liver enzymes are routinely checked. Results:The patient lost both weight and liver enzymes. Conclusions and Recommendations: The biggest disadvantage of these preparations is their uncontrolled and high-dose use. It is most appropriate to give this kind of support treatments by people who are trained and licensed in this regard, especially under the control of a doctor. For this purpose, the Department of Traditional Complementary Medicine provides the development of physicians and pharmacists who have received phytotherapy training.

Auricular Acupuncture Therapy for Stage I of Shoulder Hand Syndrome (SHS) After Ischemic Stroke: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Sham-controlled, Patient-blinded, Clinical Trial

Background: Shoulder hand syndrome (SHS) is one of the common complications after a stroke, with the incidence rate up to 75% in China. The stage Ⅰ level is manifested as chronic pain and limitation of movement, which could cause irreversible muscle atrophy, joint deformation and even loss of motor function if progress to stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Auricular acupuncture, as one important component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a micro acupuncture therapy which combines acupuncture and holographic theory. However, the clinical efficacy of auricular acupuncture is still controversial and the length of improvement by auricular acupuncture has not been validated by clinical studies. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and duration of auricular acupuncture for pain relief and for motor function improvement in stage Ⅰ of SHS after ischemic stroke.Methods:This is a randomized, sham-controlled, patient-blinded trial. A total of 108 eligible patients with stage Ⅰ of SHS after ischemic stroke will be recruited from September 2018 to December 2020 and will be randomly allocated to three groups, A, B, or C, with a 1:1:1 ratio. Only body acupuncture will be applied in group A as a control group. Non-needle-insertion for sham auricular acupuncture will be combined with body acupuncture and applied to group B, whereas auricular acupuncture combined with body acupuncture will be applied in group C. Patients will be treated for 30 min per session, for 5 sessions per week for 3 weeks, and followed up for 6 weeks. The primary outcome will be the visual analog scale (VAS) for the shoulder and hand pain. The secondary outcomes will include the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Modified Brathel Index (MBI). Eligible patients would be evaluated before treatment, immediately after treatment, and followed up after 1 week, 2 weeks and 6 weeks to verify the duration of auricular acupuncture effect.Discussion:This trial will help to identify the effectiveness and duration of auricular acupuncture effect for stage Ⅰ of SHS after ischemic stroke. Trial registration:www.chictr.org.cn, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000037946. Retrospectively registered on 4 March 2020.