1 Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
2 Rehabilitation Medicine University Clinic Stockholm, Danderyds Hospital AB, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
Introduction
Endometriosis is a multifactorial, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory gynecological condition – often with long-lasting visceral pelvic pain of different origin, and infertility among women. Current management options for patients’ are often inadequate, with side effects for many for whom acupuncture techniques could be an alternative. Earlier studies have discussed the efficacy of acupuncture, but not its methodological aspects.
Objectives
To summarize the documented clinical effects of acupuncture on rated visceral pelvic endometriosis-related pain, and associated variables among individuals, within and between studied groups, and to discuss the methodological treatment aspects.
Methods
Published full text clinical studies, case reports, and observational studies with abstracts written in English were searched by using the keywords “Acupuncture and Endometriosis” in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The reporting guidelines, Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture was used for the methodological report.
Results
Three studies were found including 99 women, 13-40 years old, with diagnosed endometriosis. The studies were different in research design, needle stimulation techniques, and evaluation instruments. Methodological similarities were seven to12 needle insertions per subject/session, and 15-25 minutes of needle retention time. The needles were placed in lower back/pelvic-abdominal area, in the shank, feet, and hands. Treatment numbers varied from nine to 16 and patients received one to two treatments per week. Similarity in reported treatment effects in the quoted studies, irrespective of research design or treatment technique, was reported decrease of rated pain intensity.
Discussion
Meta-analysis is the standard procedure for the evaluation of evidence of treatment effects, ie, on a group level, usually without analysis of the individual responses even with obvious spread in the results leading to lack of guidance for treatment of the individual patient. By conceptualizing pain as subjective, the individual aspect should serve as the basis for the analysis to allow clinical recommendations. From a physiological and a western medical perspective, acupuncture can be regarded as a type of sensory stimulation that induces changes in the function of the central nervous system that partly can explain the decrease of perceived pain in response to acupuncture treatment irrespective of the technique.
Conclusion
Endometriosis is often painful, although with various origin, where standard treatments may be insufficient or involve side effects. Based on the reported studies, acupuncture could be tried as a complement as it is an overall safe treatment. In the future, studies designed for evaluating effectiveness between treatment strategies rather than efficacy design would be preferred as the analyses of treatment effects in the individual patients.
Fu Yu and Xia Tian, Shanghai Jnl Acup Moxa, 2005, Vol 3 Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
This is just one trial of many carried out in China which looks at the clinical effectiveness of treatment of endometriosis with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The investigators report that symptoms and signs of the disease are treated effectively without side effects.
Abstract
Objective
To compare the clinical efficacy of combined acupuncture and herbs with danazol for treatment of endometriosis.
Methods
Seventy-eight patients were randomly divided into a combined acupuncture and herbs treatment group (40 cases) and a Westerm medicine control group (38 cases). Observation was made of changes in clinical symptoms, signs, serum CA 125, β-EP, PGE 2 and PGF 2α, and adverse reaction to the medicine in the two group.
Results
The overall efficacy was similar in the two groups, but the effects on lumbosacral pain, anal downbearing distention, irregular menstruation and infertility were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group(P < 0.05), and in the treatment group serum CA 125, PGE 2 and PGF 2α were significantly lower and serum β-EP was significanly higher after treatment than before (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Combined use of acupuncture and herbs has a marked effect on endometriosis and the adverse reaction is lower than the control group.
Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Lim CED et al, Aust J Acupunct Chin Med 2009;4(2):12-17. Australian Journal Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Those of us who have experience in treating endometriosis with Chinese medicine are familiar with the benefits it brings patients in terms of reduced pain and possibly increased rates of conception. This pilot study, a collaboration between Guangzhou Medical University in China and RMIT university in Melbourne, is particularly interesting to us since it measured objective parameters such as immune factors (antigens and antibodies) shown to be abnormally raised in patients with endometriosis. A course of treatment with Chinese herbs not only improved pain but significantly reduced the levels of these immune factors. This is one way that Chinese medicine may improve fertility in endometriosis.
Abstract
Background
Secondary dysmenorrhoea associated with endometriosis affects many women and is the leading cause of work and school absenteeism, with considerable impact on quality of life. This study evaluates the possible role of Chinese medicinal herbs in relieving the menstrual pain associated with endometriosis.
Methods
A prospective clinical observational pilot study involving twenty-five patients with endometriosis with Chinese medical diagnosis of stagnation of qi and blood who were recruited at the Guangdong Women’s and Children’s Hospital during the period of January 2004 to December 2006 to participate in a three-month Chinese medicinal herbs study.
Results
Sixteen patients reported nil dysmenorrhoea during the treatment period. The mean CA125 at the study entry was 59.67 ±28.32 u/ml, compared to 34.83 ±16.34 u/ml post-treatment. The positive EMAb before the commencement of treatment was noted in 22 of 25 cases (88%), while 5 of 25 cases (20%) remained positive after treatment.
Conclusion
Short-term administration of Chinese medicinal herbs may be effective in alleviating secondary dysmenorrhoea associated with endometriosis in qi and blood stagnation pattern. It may provide an alternative treatment option for the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and further research in the area is required.
Fluid retention over period time? Eat the right food helps.
When menstrual period is due, some women find that their faces, fingers, calves and feet are swelling. It is because their body retains fluid. The fluid retention can increase their weight up to 2~4 kilos. At the same time, many women have abdominal bloating, sore or tender breasts.
What causes the fluids retention?
Fluid retention over period is due to the imbalance of hormone, mostly due to increasing of estrogen, which result in sodium and fluid stay in the body.
Often the feeling of swollen during period can be reduced via right diet and light exercise. For instance, stay away from sodium salty food, have more food such as, potato or cucumber.
Foods to reduce fluid retention over period
cucumber
Cucumber
90% of cucumber is water, it is a good source of food to get hydrated. The skin of cucumber contains a substance called isoquercitrin which is diuretic. Cucumber has been used in helping people reduce the excess fluid in the body since ancient China. There were records from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that cucumber was used in assisting treating cystitis and acute urine tract infection.
potato
Potato
Potato has been known for long as “the apple grows in the ground” in the East. There are plenty of organic sodium and potassium in potato. It can help our body to get rid of the extra culinary sodium and fluid. In order to get the best effect from potato, do not peel its skin.
red beans
Red Beans (azuki beans)
Red azuki beans is rich in potassium and saponin which is diuretic. It has been used to treat water retention in TCM. In order to maximise the best nutritious from red bean, it is better to cook it slowly.
winter melon
Winter melon (white gourd)
Winter melon is rich in potassium. It is a food well known as a natural diuretic. It traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the seeds and peel of winter melon are herbs both used for edema or water retention. It has a cooling effect and mostly importantly, taste good.
Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of use for various health conditions, including managing cholesterol levels. Listed here are 6 best Chinese herbs that commonly used to help lower cholesterol:
1. Hawthorn 山楂
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is rich in various beneficial substances such as hawthorn acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and more. These components contribute to its ability to dilate blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and enhance the activity of gastric digestive enzymes.
Hawthorn is available in different forms, including tablets and granules, making it convenient for consumption. Additionally, dried raw hawthorn fruit can be used to prepare herbal tea or decoctions, allowing for alternative methods of intake.
2. Polygonum multiflorum 何首乌
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb
Polygonum multiflorum can promote intestinal peristalsis, reduce cholesterol absorption and accelerate the excretion of cholesterol. This makes it effective in reducing cholesterol levels and providing anti-atherosclerosis benefits.
Clinical you can used Polygonum multiflorum tablets or granules 2.5 gram each dosage, 3 times per day.
Polygonum multiflorumthe also helps constipation, particularly suits for elderly patient who has chronic constipation and can be diagnosed as Liver and Kidney deficiency in Chinese medicine.
3. Rhubarb root 大黄
Rhubarb Dahuang
Rhubarb root has been shown to have beneficial effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Clinical studies suggest that Rhubarb root can be taken orally in doses of 0.25 grams, four times a day. After one month of treatment, it may help reduce triglyceride levels.
Rhubarb’s strong laxative effect makes it particularly suitable for individuals who have high cholesterol and suffer from constipation.
4. Cassia seed 决明子
Cassia Seed
Cassia seeds have been found to possess the ability to inhibit the formation of atherosclerosis plaques and lower serum cholesterol levels. Take fried Cassia as herbal tea may gradually lower cholesterol levels close to normal range. Average dosage is 5 to 10 gram per day, over the course of one month.
Pollen Typhae
5. Pollen Typhae 蒲黄
Pollen Typhae, also known as Typha pollen or Typhae Pollen (蒲黄), has been found to have the ability to inhibit the intestinal absorption of exogenous cholesterol. This property makes it effective in reducing lipid levels in the blood. It’s important to note that only raw Pollen Typhae is effective in reducing cholesterol, as charcoaled Typhae is commonly used for conditions such as excessive menstruation and painful menstruation.
6. Ginkgo biloba 银杏叶
Ginkgo biloba
Research discovered that Ginkgo biloba has coronary dilation effect and it is able to lower serum cholesterol including total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Ginkgo biloba can be purchased from health food shop as tablets.
Almond Wellness Centre
At Almond Wellness Centre – Chinese medicine acupuncture Melbourne – we have different forms of high quality Chinese herbal medicine. These include the “real” dry raw herbs, concentrated herbal granules, patent herbal pills, topical used herbal cream, tinctures. They can be specially tailored for your conditions. Formulas can be prescribed in a number of ways at both our Ringwood clinic and Coburg clinic.
Fu Yu and Xia Tian, Shanghai Jnl Acup Moxa, 2005, Vol 3 Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
