Although the novel coronavirus has put in-person work on hold for months and will likely expand the remote-work pool permanently, millions upon millions of workers have returned to work or will progressively do so in the near future. And new research suggests acupuncturists should join those millions at their workplaces or workplace sponsored-clinics across the country. Here's why.
A study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (Davis JA, et al.) has found that workers who receive employer-sponsored acupuncture are:
The study reviewed the experiences of nearly 1,800 workers (average age: 37 years; 59 percent women) who initiated acupuncture at one of 11 employer-sponsored health centers over a one-year period, yielding data on outcomes for 8,991 total visits (average number of visits per patient: 5.5). That data was compared with outcomes data from providers in the community.
Of note, opioid prescriptions filled by workers who received employer-sponsored acupuncture services were typically for cough suppressants, not pain relief; even though most acupuncture visits were for musculoskeletal complaints / pain.
One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
In prior issues, Neil discussed the Gallbladder Official as a whole (March 20 including points 17 and 24); points 37-41 (June 2013); points 1, 16, and 20 (May 2021); and points 2-3, 8-9, and 12-13 (April 2024). This article focuses on GB points 7, 10, 14-15, 18-19, 21, and 23.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability, often managed with pharmacological and surgical interventions. However, acupuncture has long been used as a non-invasive treatment for knee pain, and recent research provides new insights into its underlying mechanisms.
