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Research
Research Studies
A recent joint MIT-Harvard Medical School clinical study shows specific brain activity changes with real acupuncture. The study, published in the November 2008 issue of the peer-reviewed science journal Behavioural Brain Research, used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to examine the effects of acupuncture in relieving pain. This study is one of a number of trials run that use medical imaging technology to demonstrate how different areas of the brain “lights up” when acupuncture points are stimulated.
Data from this study suggests that real acupuncture affects the brain differently than placebo acupuncture and is more effective than a placebo in reducing the experience of pain. When asked whether acupuncture is more than a placebo effect, Dr. Dougherty responded, "Yes, the study does show more changes in the brain during active acupuncture than during placebo acupuncture. Therefore, acupuncture certainly entails more than placebo effect."
Darin D. Dougherty, et al. “A combined [11C]diprenorphine PET study and fMRI study of acupuncture analgesia, “ Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 193, Issue 1, 3 November 2008, pp. 63-68.
Summary of Acupuncture & Brain Imaging
Systematic literature review looks at the effect of acupuncture on brain activation as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. These studies show that specific and largely predictable areas of brain activation and deactivation occur when considering the traditional Chinese functions attributable to certain specific acupuncture points. For example, points associated with hearing and vision stimulates the visual and auditory cerebral areas respectively. Pain, however, is a complex matrix that is intimately intertwined with expectation. Acupuncture clearly affects this matrix in both specific and non-specific manner that is consistent with its specific clinical effects, as well as the effects of expectation on pain relief.
George T. Lewith, etl al. “Investigating Acupuncture Using Brain Imaging Techniques: The Current State of Play,” # Evidence-based Compl. and Alt. Medicine, Volume 2, Number 3 pp. 315-319.
Rheumatologist Report on the Science Behind Acupuncture
D. Pyne & N. G. Shenker. “Demystifying Acupuncture,“ Rheumatology 2008 47(8):1132-1136.
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine at NIH
For the last ten years, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have invested millions of dollars funding research on acupuncture. To learn more about some of the government supported clinical trials, see
World Health Organization
The WHO supports the use of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine because it has been shown to be effective and has few side effects. WHO has published a review of clinical trials WHO. Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, 2002.
Additional reports from WHO are also available.
Health Conditions
Knee pain
A landmark study has shown that acupuncture provides pain relief and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and serves as an effective complement to standard care. The study, the largest Phase III clinical trial of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis, was funded by NCCAM and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, both components of the National Institutes of Health.
Berman BM, Lao L, Langenberg P, Lee WL, Gilpin AMK, Hochberg MC. Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2004; 141(12):901910.
Another research study shows the effectiveness of reducing pain due to arthritis of the knee.
Harriet Lansdown , et al. “Acupuncture for pain and osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study for an open parallel-arm randomised controlled trial,” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2009, 10:130.
Neck pain is a common health problem in the United States. Massage can be an effective treatment for many people suffering from neck pain.
The National Institutes of Health published results from a government funded study that demonstrated the effectiveness of massage.
Ear acupuncture shown to curb back pain in pregnant women (Reuters).
Researchers at Stanford University in California demonstrate acupuncture can be an effective weapon against depression in pregnant women. (Voice of America).
Midwifery & Childbirth
Midwives Alliance of North America
BMJ Paper: Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives
Massachusetts Midwives Alliance
VBAC: More women want to be able to have a baby naturally, even if they've had Caesareans. Research backs them up. See more
Nutrition
Food Sources of Magnesium
Magnesium is an excellent for tight muscles and spasms
Research showing link between Magnesium and bone density for many older adults
Mg and Intestinal Permeability
Research suggesting relationship between Magnesium and food absorption and intestinal permeability
Recipes
From Cooking Light
On the "appetite for China" blog
Congee & Other Homemade Chinese Soups
On the homemade Chinese soups web site
Award-winning cookbook author's congee recipe
Personal Views on Congee
Asian comfort food restaurant trend in San Francisco
Article from the San Francisco Chronicle, October 12, 2005
A traveler's research about Asia's ubiquitous rice porridge
Medical Perspectives on Congee
Wikipedia, an open online encyclopedia, provides definitions and links to relevant information
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