News

Chinese Herbal Medicine Effective in Treating IBS

An Australian study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association lends strong scientific support to the traditional use of Chinese herbs in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The authors believe theirs is the first clinical study to rigorously document the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of IBS - and the first to incorporate traditional Chinese diagnosis and treatment methods for IBS into a strictly controlled, conventional study model [Bensoussan et al., 1998].

The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involved 116 people with active IBS recruited from hospitals and private gastroenterology practices in Sydney, Australia. Patients were diagnosed first by gastroenterologists using standard western diagnostic methods, and then by Chinese herbalists according to the principles of Chinese medicine.  Results were evaluated by gastroenterologists after eight weeks and again at the end of the 16-week treatment period.

Both the standard herbal formula and the individualized treatments were significantly more effective than placebo in relieving IBS symptoms. Patients receiving the herbal formulas had significantly better scores in four out of five key outcome measures. 

As many as 10 to 20 percent of Americans and may be afflicted with IBS, a chronic gastrointestinal disorder marked by abdominal pain, bloating, and disturbances in bowel function alternating from constipation to diarrhea. According to the authors of the study, no single medical treatment provides reliable relief or resolution of the condition. According to physician assessments in this study, 78 percent of patients taking the standard Chinese herbal formula and 50 percent of those receiving individualized formulas improved during treatment, compared with 30 percent of those taking placebo. - Evelyn Leigh (HRF)

Cosmetic Acupuncture Discussed in NY Times

Excerpt from NY Times article discussin the benefits of acupuncture on systemic and facial health, Dec. 13th, 2007:  "Early adopters like Ms. Becker first spread word of the virtues of a so-called acupuncture face-lift. Then before the 2005 Academy Awards, a crew of facial acupuncturists descended on Soho House, a makeshift celebrity hangout in Los Angeles, and A-listers jumped at the chance to transform their skin from the inside out.

Now, thanks to more robust marketing, cosmetic acupuncture has caught the attention of more of the wrinkled public. Its holistic approach appeals in particular to women who want to slow signs of aging, but don’t want to undergo surgery or to inject chemicals.

Whether it is called facial rejuvenation, acupuncture face-lift or cosmetic acupuncture, the aim is to tackle wrinkles, muscle tension that may be causing unsightly lines, as well as systematic issues standing between you and glowing skin. Just as with traditional needling, putting needles on acupuncture points stimulates the body’s natural energies, called qi, but with added benefits."

Acupuncture Shown To Work Better Than Conventional Treatment in German Study


In a recent scientific study published in September 2007, acupuncture proved to be more effective than conventional Western medical treatment for lower back pain treatments.
The German study compared outcomes among 1,162 patients with chronic low back pain treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture; non-traditional (sham) acupuncture; or a conventional approach to treating back pain using drugs, physical therapy, and exercise. The study is the largest investigation of acupuncture vs. conventional non-surgical treatment for lower back pain ever reported, researchers say. “Acupuncture represents a highly promising and effective treatment option for chronic back pain,” researcher Heinz Endres, MD, told WebMD.


Indy Acupuncture in the News…
• INTake Newspaper: Article featuring Mitch & Erica and explaining the benefits of our work.
• Indianapolis Monthly Magazine: Special mention from songwriter Richard Edwards as healthcare practitioners of distinction.
• Jewish Post Newspaper: Interview of Mitch & Erica and how acupuncture works and our experience.
• NBC / Channel 13 Health News Feature: Interview about induction of labor using acupuncture.
• Broad Ripple Gazette: Feature aboue our practice and what we treat.

We have provided educational lectures at these locations and associations:

  • Butler University
  • Methodist Hospital
  • IUPUI
  • Clarian North Medical Center
  • Indiana Association of Acupuncture and OM
  • Women’s Postpartum Anxiety Group
  • Indiana Chronic Pain Initiative

If you know of any news outlets, associations or groups that might like to know more about acupuncture and what we do please let us know.

Sincerely,
Mitch & Erica Harris L.Ac, MSTOM, Dipl. OM