More than 30 million Americans have high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), a proven risk factor for heart attack or stroke. Despite the availability of non-drug interventions, medication is too often the first option. Fortunately, even when medication is prescribed, acupuncture reduces cholesterol levels compared to medication alone.
Case in point: a new study by H. Jin, et al., in which 90 patients with chronic high cholesterol (average age: 59; average years with hyperlipidemia: eight) received 10 mg atorvastatin daily, with half of the patients also receiving acupuncture once daily for six days (constituting one course), followed by a one-day break and then repeated seven times (eight courses overall). Acupoints included ST 36 (Zusanli), PC 6 (Neiguan), ST 40 (Fenglong), CV 12 (Zhongwan) and ST 25 (Tianshu).
During each session (30-minute needle retention), Bu (tonifying) manipulation was applied every 10 minutes for ST 36; Xie (attenuating) for PC 6 and ST 40; and Ping Bu Ping Xie (mild tonifying and attenuating) for CV 12 and ST 25.
All patients were evaluated at baseline and following each treatment course. Patients receiving acupuncture in addition to drug treatment showed improvements relative to total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol (LDL-C) and homocysteine levels (all lower); and nitrogen monoxide, vascular endothelial growth factor and high-density lipoprotein or good" cholesterol (HDL-C) (all higher) compared to the drug-only group. Overall, the total treatment effective rate was significantly higher in the acupuncture group vs. the drug-only group.
Editor's Note: This study appeared in the Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Shang Hai Zhen Jiu Za Zhi). An English translation / summary by CE provider HealthCMi served as the basis for our article.
As modern medical standardization continues, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of comprehensive personalization. For rare or complex cases, deeper consideration of constitution is invaluable. Proper constitutional assessment, especially with first-time clients, can guide desirable and predictable outcomes. This leads to a higher rate of return, and greater trust between you and your patient.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Laser therapy has emerged as a powerful tool in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This new modality fits beautifully into the toolbox of the modern acupuncturist, as it can be used as a hybrid form of stimulation to acupuncture points, meridians, organs, nerves, and symptomatic areas in a new way that blends both moxa and energetic needle-like responses.
