Acupuncture & Massage Blog

Over 50 million Americans have hypertension, blood pressure measuring above the normal range. Nearly one-third of individuals are not aware they have it. High blood pressure can develop without noticeable symptoms over several years. Only when blood pressure is severe do warning signs such as irregular heart beat, nose bleeds, dizziness, and headaches appear. If [...]

Tongxinluo, an herbal medicine used to treat cardiovascular diseases in China may improve angina symptoms when integrated with conventional treatment, according to a new systematic review in the October 18 issue of The Cochrane Library. Tongxinluo, composed of eight herbs and insects in capsule form, was found in several of the review studies to reduce [...]

Eczema is an itchy, red rash that varies in size from a small patch of affected dry skin to larger portions of the body. Originating at any age and capable of persisting into adulthood, eczema is one of the most chronic skin conditions. Eczema is an allergic reaction that manifests as an inflammation of the [...]

DIABETES CAN BE TREATED WITH CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE Berberine, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal component, has been reported to have beneficial effects for people experiencing type 2 diabetes. A collaboration between Chinese, Korean and Australian scientists at Sydney’s Garvan Institute has revealed that the natural plant product could be a valuable new treatment. Berberine [...]

GINSENG MAY REDUCE CANCER-RELATED FATIGUE Ginseng reduces fatigue and increases vitality in cancer patients, according to a new Mayo Clinic study, one of the first studies to evaluate a Wisconsin species of ginseng as a possible therapy for cancer-related fatigue. Many cancer patients experience extreme fatigue after diagnosis and during treatment. Other than exercise, there [...]

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE MAY EASE CHEMOTHERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER Chinese herbal medicine could protect the immune systems of breast cancer patients from the side effects of chemotherapy. A new Cochrane Systematic Review has found that using Chinese herbs either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy may help protect a breast cancer patient’s bone marrow and [...]

SENIORS NOT DISCUSSING CAM USE WITH THEIR DOCTORS Among people age 50 or older, 69 percent of those who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) do not discuss it with their doctors, according to a new study conducted by AARP and the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The telephone survey, administered [...]

MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION USE CAM FOR INSOMNIA AND SLEEP DISORDERS Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are used by over 1.6 million American adults to treat insomnia and related sleep disorders, concludes a recent study appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine September 18 sleep theme issue. Those using CAM are more likely to [...]

OVER ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS USE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE More than 37 percent of U.S. households now use alternative medicine for therapeutic or preventative health care, according to a Thomson Medstat consumer healthcare survey of 23,000 adults. Alternative medicine practices include acupuncture, massage therapy, homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, and herbal medicine. The primary reasons for use were general [...]

TCM FOR DIABETES HAS SCIENTIFIC BACKING Reports of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) having beneficial effects for people suffering from type 2 diabetes now has some scientific evidence to back up the claims. A collaboration between Chinese, Korean and Australian scientists at Sydney’s Garvan Institute has revealed that the natural plant product berberine could be [...]