The ACUPUNCtURE cLINIC
39 WEST STREET - MARLOW - 01628 474061
Acupuncture research
Acupuncture and IVF
A meta-analysis of seven clinical trials in which acupuncture was used to suport embryo transfer during IVF concluded that it improves pregnancy and live birth rates. Women who underwent acupuncture were 65% more likely to have a successfulembryo transfer and 91% more likely to have a live birth.
BMJ 2008 March 8;336(7643):545-9.
Weight loss
Acupuncture significantly reduced body weight compared to placebo or sham treatments. Acupuncture also showed more improved outcomes for body weight as well as for obesity than conventional medication. Only four RCTs reported acupuncture-related adverse events, which were mostly minimal.Conclusions:Our review suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity.
Dysmenorrhoea
A study of 649 women looked at the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea. The authors concluded that acupuncture was associated with improvements in pain and quatity of life and was cost effective within the usual thresholds.
PCOS
PCOS is the most common female endocrine disorder and it is strongly associated with hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and obesity. Despite extensive research, little is known about the aetiology of PCOS. Experimental observations in rat models of steroid-induced polycystic ovaries and clinical data from studies in women with PCOS suggest that acupuncture exert long-lasting beneficial effects on metabolic and endocrine systems and ovulation.
Sperm quality
Obstet Gynecol 2008 198(2):166 1-8
Following acupuncture, a statistically significant increase in the percentage and number of sperm in the total ejaculate was observed (in comparison with controls), with improvements in the shape of the acrosome and nucleus.
The authors concluded that 'in conjunction with ART or even for reaching natural fertility potential, acupuncture treatment is a simple noninvasive method that can improve sperm quality.'
Fertility and Sterility. 2005;84:141-147
Crohns and Colitis
J Neuroendocrinol 2008 Mar;20(3):290-8.
Int J Obes (Lond). 2009 Jan 13.
Osteoarthritis
A review of ten randomised, controlled trials of acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee has concluded that it is an effective treatment for the pain and physical dysfunction caused by the condition.
Fam Community Health 2008 31(3):247-54
A systematic review the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases found real acupuncture was significantly superior to sham acupuncture with regard to disease activity scores in the Crohn and Colitis trials. Further trials for inflammatory bowel disease would be necessary to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for this condition.
World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Jul 7;13(25):3417-24.
Headaches
A German study has assesssed the costs-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for headaches. The radomised controlled trial of 3182 patients found acupuncture a cost-effective treatment.
Cephalalgia 2008 28(4):334-45
THE ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC 39 WEST STREET MARLOW SL7 2LS 01628 474061