Development of postdural puncture headache following therapeutic acupuncture using a long acupuncture needle.

March 14, 2010

Development of postdural puncture headache following therapeutic acupuncture using a long acupuncture needle.

J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2010 Feb;47(2):140-2

Authors: Jo DJ, Lee BJ, Sung JK, Yi JW

Acupuncture appears to be a clinically effective treatment for acute and chronic pain. A considerable amount of research has been conducted to evaluate the role that acupuncture plays in pain suppression; however, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the side effects of the acupuncture procedure. This case report describes a suspected postdural puncture headache following acupuncture for lower back pain. Considering the high opening pressure, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and the patient’s history of acupuncture in the lower back area, our diagnosis was iatrogenic postdural puncture headache. Full relief of the headache was achieved after administration of an epidural blood patch.

PMID: 20224715 [PubMed - in process]

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Ask Dr. Weil: Migraines, How can I prevent or treat them?

December 11, 2009

Image by Migraine Chick via Flickr

Q: I suffer from migraines. What naturals do you suggest to prevent or treat them?

A: As a former migraine sufferer, I understand how painful and debilitating these headaches can be. Fortunately, recent research shows that integrative therapies may help prevent them as well as conventional drugs do.

Read the whole answer…

“You may also want to try acupuncture and biofeedback. A review of 22 studies found that acupuncture helps prevent migraines as well as or better than medication, and a report that looked at 94 studies concluded that biofeedback reduced their frequency, too.” – Andrew Weil, M.D.,

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To fight flu, arm your immune system with diet, rest

October 12, 2009

By Val Willingham, CNN Medical Producer

BALTIMORE, Maryland (CNN) — A few weeks ago, 22-year-old Tatiana Gulenkina felt bad. Tired with a headache and high fever, Gulenkina knew she was coming down with something. Yet she wasn’t sure with what.

“My symptoms were apparently the same as for regular flu: coughs, sneezes, high temperature, sore throat and headache.” she says. But when her boyfriend took her to the doctor, her diagnosis was a little little bit of a shock. “I had the swine flu!”

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped counting the number of reported H1N1 virus incidents in this country, the American Medical Association says many of its members are starting to see more cases of the illness, along with early bouts of seasonal flu and colds. It’s just that time of year when a lot of nasty bugs are out there. So the question is, what’s the best way to protect yourself?

Read more…

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Needling away your headaches with acupuncture

July 14, 2009

Acupuncture points are found along these meridians. Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on your meridians. …

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Needles, not method, may be acupuncture key

January 20, 2009

Benefits come more from patients’ belief in treatment, study suggests

LONDON – Acupuncture prevents headaches and migraines but faked treatments when needles are incorrectly inserted appear to work nearly as well, German researchers said on Wednesday.

Their findings suggest the benefits of acupuncture may stem more from people’s belief in the technique, said Klaus Linde, a complementary medicine researcher at the Technical University in Munich, who led the analysis published in the Cochrane Review journal.

"Much of the clinical benefit of acupuncture might be due to non-specific needling effects and powerful placebo effects, meaning selection of specific needle points may be less important than many practitioners have traditionally argued," he said in a statement.

Read the complete article Reuters article at MSNBC.com…

Keywords: acupuncture, placebo, headache, hormone, endorphin, stress, pain, nausea

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Acupuncture beats drug to treat hot flashes: study

September 23, 2008

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Acupuncture works as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer, without bad side effects, researchers said on Monday.

They tested acupuncture, which began in China more than 2,000 years ago and involves inserting needles into the body, against the Wyeth antidepressant Effexor, for hot flashes in breast cancer patients.

Acupuncture was just as effective as Effexor, also called venlafaxine, in managing symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, according to researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Read the complete article by Will Dunham…

There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said.

Keywords: hot flashes, menopause, breast cancer, nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, Effexor, venlafaxine, Wyeth,  Eleanor Walker, Henry Ford Hospital, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

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Fibromyalgia: Little understood, often frustrating

July 14, 2008

You wouldn’t know it by looking at her, but at any given moment Dana Poole hurts all over.

"It’s kind of like a burning, but an ache. It’s almost like you have the flu," said Poole, 31, a receptionist from Canton, Georgia.

Poole is one of almost 6 million Americans who suffer from a chronic condition called fibromyalgia.

In addition to widespread pain, patients may complain about fatigue and sleep disturbances, depression, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and heightened sensitivity.

Read the complete article by CNN Medical Correspondent, Judy Fortin…

Keywords: fibromyalgia, pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, ibs, American College of Rheumatology, Dr. Jefrey Lieberman, diet, stress reduction, sleep, low-impact exercise

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Webcast – Tai Chi: The Dance of Health

July 1, 2008

Tai Chi was initially developed in China in the 14th century as a martial art of self-defense. But as it evolved, it came to be seen as an exercise promoting harmony, balance and relaxation of the body and mind. What is Tai Chi, and what can it do for you? Join our panel of experts for a discussion of the history and health benefits of this age-old practice.

Transcript: DAVID FOLK THOMAS: Welcome to our webcast. I’m David Folk Thomas. Tai chi. Now, I did not just sneeze, for all of you who said, "Gesundheit." Thank you. I’m talking about tai chi. It’s an ancient Chinese martial art. It’s used as a health exercise. We’re going to get to the bottom of exactly what tai chi is and how it might help you get around and operate in this crazy world. Joining me are two experts on tai chi. To my left is Dr. Ben Kligler. He’s the medical director of the New Beth Israel Center for Health and Healing in New York City, and next to Dr. Kligler is William Kaplinidis. He is the department head of Allied Arts at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine here in New York City. He’s also a tai chi instructor. Thanks to both of you for coming by. What is tai chi?

Read the complete transcript and view the webcast…

Keywords: stress, relax, concentrate, tai chi, qigong, health, headache, reflux, balance, osteoporosis, blood pressure, hypertension

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The Benefits of Biofeedback

June 5, 2008

It’s gaining ground as a stress-management tool

Because she was planning to get pregnant, Janelle (who preferred not to give her last name) decided last year to go off powerful medication for stress-induced migraines in favor of a more fetus-friendly therapy. With sensors attached to her fingertips, neck, and abdomen, she spent 20 sessions learning to relax her muscles and slow her breathing and heart rate while watching a computer monitor for proof of the desired result. Eventually, she was able to do the work on her own. "The migraine pain doesn’t go away completely," says the 39-year-old from Bethesda, Md., who has remained off medication since her son’s birth two months ago. "But it’s been greatly reduced, and I’m able to deal with it better." Like meditation and yoga, the biofeedback method…

Read the complete article by Deborah Kotz…

Keywords: stress, migraine, headache, hypertension, biofeedback, heart rate variability, emwave, heartmath

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