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Research

Does Acupuncture Treat Heart Disease?

Does Acupuncture Treat Heart Disease?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. And ethnicity doesn’t matter, as people of all racial and ethnic groups are impacted. With such serious statistics, many might wonder what treatment options are available. Did you know that acupuncture can help with treating heart disease, as well as many of its contributing factors? Read on to learn how. continue reading »

Acupuncture Research Roundup

Acupuncture Research Roundup

According to the National Institutes of Health, research has demonstrated that acupuncture could be helpful for a variety of pain conditions including back pain, knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, and postoperative pain. There is also evidence to suggest that it helps relieve joint pain “associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors.” continue reading »

Sound Healing Research Support

Scientific research and medical use of sound healing

Tuning fork acupuncture on third eye

Various forms of sound frequencies have been used in Western medical settings for years. Sound for medical healing is continually researched.

What makes vibrational tuning forks and Tibetan Bowels unique is that they are acoustic, not plugged in. You can use them in your own home. The frequencies are harmonious, and the vibration produced feels good, and the sound can be calming or energizing.

Take a look at the following references for the medical use of sound and light.

  1. For tumor reduction:

Wan GY, Liu Y, Chen BW, Liu YY, Wang YS, Zhang N. Recent advances of sonodynamic therapy in cancer treatment. Cancer Biol Med. 2016;13(3):325‐338. doi:10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2016.0068
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging approach that involves a combination of low-intensity ultrasound and specialized chemical agents known as sonosensitizers. Ultrasound can penetrate deeply into tissues and can be focused into a small region of a tumor to activate a sonosensitizer which offers the possibility of non-invasively eradicating solid tumors in a site-directed manner. In this article, we critically reviewed the currently accepted mechanisms of sonodynamic action and summarized the classification of sonosensitizers. At the same time, the breath of evidence from SDT-based studies suggests that SDT is promising for cancer treatment.

McHale AP, Callan JF, Nomikou N, Fowley C, Callan B. Sonodynamic Therapy: Concept, Mechanism and Application to Cancer Treatment. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;880:429‐450. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22536-4_22
Abstract
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) represents an emerging approach that offers the possibility of non-invasively eradicating solid tumors in a site-directed manner. It involves the sensitization of target tissues with a non-toxic sensitizing chemical agent and subsequent exposure of the sensitized tissues to relatively low-intensity ultrasound. Essentially, both aspects (the sensitization and ultrasound exposure) are harmless, and cytotoxic events occur when both are combined. Due to the significant depth that ultrasound penetrates tissue, the approach provides an advantage over similar alternative approaches, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), in which less penetrating light is employed to provide the cytotoxic effect in sensitized tissues. This suggests that sonodynamic therapy may find wider clinical application, particularly for the non-invasive treatment of less accessible lesions. Early SDT-based approaches employed many of the sensitizers used in PDT, although the manner in which ultrasound activates the sensitizer differs from activation events in PDT. Here we will review the currently accepted mechanisms by which ultrasound activates sensitizers to elicit cytotoxic effects. In addition, we will explore the breath of evidence from in-vitro and in-vivo SDT-based studies, providing the reader with an insight into the therapeutic potential offered by SDT in the treatment of cancer.

Yang Y, Tu J, Yang D, Raymond JL, Roy RA, Zhang D. Photo- and Sono-Dynamic Therapy: A Review of Mechanisms and Considerations for Pharmacological Agents Used in Therapy Incorporating Light and Sound. Curr Pharm Des. 2019;25(4):401‐412. doi:10.2174/1381612825666190123114107
Abstract
As irreplaceable energy sources of minimally invasive treatment, light and sound have, separately, laid solid foundations in their clinic applications. Constrained by the relatively shallow penetration depth of light, photodynamic therapy (PDT) typically involves involves superficial targets such as shallow seated skin conditions, head and neck cancers, eye disorders, early-stage cancer of esophagus, etc. For ultrasound-driven sonodynamic therapy (SDT), however, to various organs is facilitated by the superior… transmission and focusing ability of ultrasound in biological tissues, enabling multiple therapeutic applications including treating glioma, breast cancer, hematologic tumor and opening blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Considering the emergence of theranostics and precision therapy, these two classic energy sources and corresponding sensitizers are worth reevaluating. In this review, three typical therapies using light and sound as a trigger, PDT, SDT, and combined PDT and SDT are introduced. The therapeutic dynamics and current designs of pharmacological sensitizers involved in these therapies are presented. By introducing both the history of the field and the most up-to-date design strategies, this review provides a systemic summary on the development of PDT and SDT and fosters inspiration for researchers working on ‘multi-modal’ therapies involving light and sound.

2. For mood, anxiety, and mind.

Goldsby TL, Goldsby ME, McWalters M, Mills PJ. Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(3):401‐406. doi:10.1177/2156587216668109
Abstract
Poor mood and elevated anxiety are linked to increased incidence of disease. This study examined the effects of sound meditation, specifically Tibetan singing bowl meditation, on mood, anxiety, pain, and spiritual well-being. Sixty-two women and men (mean age 49.7 years) participated. As compared with pre-meditation, following the sound meditation participants reported significantly less tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood (all Ps <.001). Additionally, participants who were previously naïve to this type of meditation experienced a significantly greater reduction in tension compared with participants experienced in this meditation ( P < .001). Feeling of spiritual well-being significantly increased across all participants ( P < .001). Tibetan singing bowl meditation may be a feasible low-cost low technology intervention for reducing feelings of tension, anxiety, and depression, and increasing spiritual well-being. This meditation type may be especially useful in decreasing tension in individuals who have not previously practiced this form of meditation.

3. For pain relief.

Lim E, Lim R, Suhaimi A, Chan BT, Wahab AKA. Treatment of chronic back pain using indirect vibroacoustic therapy: A pilot study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2018;31(6):1041‐1047. doi:10.3233/BMR-171042

Objective: This 12-week pilot study examines the efficacy of applying low frequency sound wave stimulation (between 16-160 Hz) through both hands and feet on relieving pain and improving functional ability in patients with chronic back pain.
Results: At week 12, significant reductions in pain sensation and pain-related disability were observed, with mean reductions of 3.5 points in P-VAS and 13.5 points in the PDI scores. Sixty-five percent of the participants had a reduction of at least 3 points on the P-VAS score, while 52% participants showed a decrease of at least 10 points in the PDI score. Significant improvement was observed in the SF-12 physical composite score but not the mental composite score.

Conclusions: The preliminary findings showed that passive application of low frequency sound wave stimulation therapy through both hands and feet was effective in alleviating pain and improving functional ability in patients with chronic back pain.

4. For determining fractures. Useful for physical trainers! 

uning forks in determining fractures. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5076288/

5. Other references from the pioneers in the field of sound therapy.

Angel, Barbra (Romanowska, Barbara). (2014). Tune & Heal: In-depth cellular music therapy, Simple techniques for healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit with Sound. Translation Polish to English: Blaszczak (Sendi), A. and Choi, C. Ed. Johnston, D. and Larson, D. Published on Create Space.

Beaulieu, John (2010). Human Tuning: Sound Healing With Tuning Forks. Biosonic Enterprises, Ltd. New York.

Maman, Fabian. The Role of music in the twenty-first century. Redondo Beach, CA.: Tama-Dõ Press, 1997.

Acupuncture Wrapped: An overview of some of the most exciting discoveries in 2020

Acupuncture Wrapped: An overview of some of the most exciting discoveries in 2020

As we enter a new year, it is natural to want to look back on the last one. As humans, we have the gift and the hurdle of marking time, so it can feel helpful to recall memories we want to hold on to or look for lessons we can take with us.  

To that end, here are three categories in which research into the type, application and efficacy of acupuncture saw significant advancements in 2020, findings that will certainly help guide us as we move forward. In a year that saw so much focus on our health, these findings offer some good news in the fields of pain management without opioids, migraine headaches, and insight into why it is that acupuncture is effective as an anti-inflammatory.  continue reading »

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