The Huffington Post published an article highlighting some of the benefits and positive side-effects of acupuncture. They include feeling less stressed, having more energy, getting better sleep, and being more patient. Please give it a read.
Harvard-trained doctor Leana Wen, M.D. shares 6 lessons western medicine can learn from traditional Chinese medicine. Her article sheds interesting light on some of the fundamental differences between the two practices. Link
New research reveals how acupuncture protects the brain in areas damaged by Parkinson’s disease. Scientists at the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine have discovered two acupuncture points that prevent the breakdown of an important brain protecting enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase. This enzyme helps the body to create L-DOPA, an important dopamine precursor and drug used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is now known that acupuncture prevents decreases of the L-DOPA creating enzyme in the thalamic portions of the brain thereby improving the motor function that is destroyed by Parkinson’s disease. Link to full article
Acupuncture will be considered an “essential health benefit” in California and will be covered by individual and small group health plans starting in 2014. Gov. Jerry Brown signed measures SB 951 and AB 1453, which included acupuncture to be covered under the federal health reform also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that was signed into law on March 23, 2010. The health care law will require all insurance plans to cover a specific set of benefits. The health law includes 10 broad categories that must be included, leaving the specifics to every state. The legislation establishes the minimum health benefits that must be offered to consumers. The two measures included acupuncture as an essential health benefit that the state can begin to offer through federally subsidized plans for individuals and families as well as unsubsidized plans. Link to full article
NPR reports on the use of acupuncture in the military as an alternative to painkillers for chronic pain. Link to story
