TCM doctors take on emotions

BEIJING, June 28 -- Football fans are experiencing a gamut of emotions as they endure the highs and lows of the ongoing 2006 World Cup.
However, they must beware that extra anger could do harm to the liver, increased happiness may be bad for the heart, too much fear could hurt the kidney, and increased sadness could impair the lungs.
This dose of emotional advice comes from the legendary Huang Di, or "Yellow Emperor," in his medical compendium written some 5,000 years ago.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners have been well aware of the relationships between the mind and body for centuries, even though a group of European philosophers established psychology as a scientific discipline after the first article on mental wellbeing appeared in Europe in 1840.
So it was not surprising when some TCM practitioners came up with what they termed "TCM psychology" in 1985.
They went a step further this past weekend by establishing a TCM Psychology Committee under the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies in Beijing.
Over the years, many psychologists and TCM doctors in the United States, Japan, Singapore and Europe have embraced the integration of TCM ideas into Western psychology.
They believe that, although the term "psychology" never occurred in TCM classics, the ancient Chinese medicine practitioners accumulated rich clinical experience in the treatment of psychological diseases.
TCM emphasizes the influence of emotions on organ function and the occurrence and development of diseases.
In "Huang Di Nei Jing" "Yellow Emperor's Medical Compendium," the oldest TCM classic that became available in print about 2,000 years ago most of the articles discussed symptoms or ideas related to today's Western psychology. "The book has laid a theory foundation for TCM psychology," said Yang Qiuli, a research fellow with the Psychology Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of TCM.
According to TCM, emotions are actually qi movements, which are induced inside the body when confronting other human beings. These qi movements can be both beneficial and harmful to different organs.
TCM considers that all internal or chronic diseases are caused by the seven major emotions anger, shock, joy, fear, brooding, anxiety and sorrow.
Each of the seven emotions has a corresponding vice and virtue and the job of the TCM practitioners is to transform the "vice" emotion associated with the disease to its "virtue" counterpart.
Treatment
Many TCM therapies to regulate, control and harmonize the movements of qi are still applied today. These include herbal medicine, qigong (deep breathing exercise), acupuncture and music.
Traditionally, herbal medicine has been closely associated with treating psycho-spiritual aspects of disease and mental imbalance, according to Zou Yizhuang, secretary-general of the Chinese Mental Disease Institute.
For example, depression or mood swings are commonly accompanied with "liver qi stagnation," which could lead to a feeling of tightness in the chest. The prescribed herbal formula of Xiao Yao San could help regulate the liver qi and alleviate the psychological symptoms.
Qigong has already been widely practised in the world for the purpose of relaxing and resistance on stress. It is said to be effective in treating anxiety, depression and phobias. Now it is also applied in clinical psychotherapy.
A 17-year-old girl from Hebei Province once had her legs injured in a traffic accident.
After treatment, all medical check-ups showed that her legs were fully healed, but for months, the girl could not stand up. Her family later brought her to a qigong master, who told the girl that her legs would be normal after he emitted energy into them.
After the qigong master finished his treatment, the girl could reportedly walk again.
"The miracle is simply a result of a mental hint. It is the qigong master's actions and words that finally dispelled the girls' worry for her legs. Qigong applied in TCM psychology is very similar to the hypnotherapy in Western medicine, but there are also differences between the two," said Wang Weidong, a well-known qigong psychology expert at Guang'anmen Hospital.
For example, the qigong instructors use few words during the treatment but instead use techniques like gestures of emitting energy.
Comparatively, instructors of hypnotherapy basically depend on their words to give patients hints, or sometimes they will combine tools and actions with words to strengthen the effect of their hint.
Acupuncture has been widely applied nowadays at home and abroad to treat somatic symptoms generated by a psychological problem.
According to Alexander Meng, a doctor at the TCM and Acupuncturef Department of the Kaiserin Elisabeth Hospital in Vienna, Austria, he applied acupuncture to treat around 7,500 patients with neurological pain in a year.
Sixty per cent of his patients' chronic pain was related to their psychological disorders, he said.
"Most patients feel good and fall asleep during a session of acupuncture treatment. Patients with phobia and depression felt their symptoms were much alleviated after acupuncture," said Meng.
The TCM practitioners have also been using musical therapy to treat diseases for 2,000 years.
Huang Xinyong, a psychology professor from Singapore College of TCM, is a strong supporter of the therapy.
"Chinese classical music generally has beautiful melodies and gentle tones. It can make people forget their troubles, broaden their mind, and promote their mental health," said Huang.
The five tones in ancient Chinese music are called Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zhi and Yu, respectively similar to the modern tones, do, re, mi, so, and la.
According to Huang, the five musical tones correspond to the five internal organs, Gong to spleen, Shang to lung, Jiao to liver, Zhi to heart and Yu to kidney.
TCM doctors believes the heart governs people's happiness. When people are sad and desperate, they could listen to some music of the Zhi tone, which is cheerful and lively and can restore the regular qi flow in the heart. Similarly, the liver governs people's anger. When people are fired up, they could listen to some music of Jiao tone, which is warm and soothing.
Huang himself also loves composing music and finds that therapeutic as well.
"When the music notes skip in my brain, I feel like my mind is cleaned," said Huang.
Besides just listening to music, he suggests singing or composing music could also help alleviate psychological disorders.(Source: China Daily)

How to make a baby

An interesting article in the Independent, giving more information on the effects of diet and acupuncture on fertility.

Having trouble conceiving? A change in diet, or a course of acupuncture could make all the difference. But which treatments really work? Maxine Frith investigates
Published: 27 June 2006
DIET AND NUTRITION
What it does: Simply adopting a healthy eating pattern can be one of the simplest and cheapest ways of boosting your chances of falling pregnant. The diets of both men and women can affect fertility, and the chances of conception are reduced if either or both partners are overweight.Wholegrains such as brown rice contain zinc, which can boost fertility, and oily fish, including salmon, can balance hormone levels.But the evidence can be confusing: while dairy products may contain bone-strengthening calcium, galactose, a sugar found in milk, appears to damage human eggs. One study found that, in populations where milk consumption is highest, women tend to be less fertile when they are older and their drop-off in fertility is steeper.Similarly, soya products such as tofu (right) are a good source of oestriol, the main oestrogen produced during pregnancy, but in high doses may interfere with ovulation.Diets high in the simple carbohydrates that are contained in processed food and snacks can increase insulin levels and lead to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is known to reduce the chances of fertility. The best advice is to munch plenty of fruit and vegetables, eat about 50g of protein a day and cut out high-fat and high-sugar foods.Women should also start taking a folic acid supplement when they try to conceive as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the unborn child.Does it work? Undoubtedly. One study showed that obese women have a 60 per cent reduced chance of conceiving. A good diet not only boosts your chances of conception but protects your unborn baby, too.
ACUPUNCTUREWhat it does: The Chancellor Gordon Brown's wife Sarah is believed to have turned to acupuncture to help her conceive the couple's second child, due later this year. It is based on traditional Chinese philosophy, which states that health is dependent on qi - an energy that moves beneath the skin and consists of equal quantities of yin and yang. Ill-health occurs when these are disrupted, but by inserting fine needles into the body, practitioners can restore the right balance.As with reflexology, acupuncture may help to reduce stress and therefore increase the chances of pregnancy. Some practitioners also claim that it can increase blood flow to the uterus and thicken its lining, helping the egg to lodge better. Hormone levels can also be balanced by the practice.It has also been claimed that acupuncture can boost male fertility by improving the quality and quantity of sperm produced.Does it work? Practitioners are convinced it does; doctors are more sceptical, saying that most studies are not reliable enough to prove efficacy.However, in one study in Germany, 45 women who had encountered problems in conceiving were given auricular acupuncture (needles applied to points on the ear) and their case outcomes compared to a similar number who had conventional hormone treatment. The women treated with acupuncture had 22 pregnancies, compared with 20 of the women on hormones.
It could be him: what men can do to boost their fertility* One in six couples suffers from fertility problems but experts say there still tends to be an assumption that the trouble always lies with the woman. However, in a third of couples the fertility problem will be with the man.* A recent study found that men over 40 had half the chances of making their partner pregnant as men under 25.* Research published by Norwich Union Healthcare has suggested that nine per cent of men may have difficulty fathering a child because of low fertility. Alcohol, smoking, stress and weight problems can play a part.* Sperm quality and quantity have decreased over the last 30 years.* Dr Doug Wright, clinical spokesman for Norwich Union Healthcare, says: "With the next generation facing increasing pressure as a result of declining fertility, it's only fair that men accept their responsibility in the equation and change their lifestyles now, before it is too late."* So what can men do to boost their fertility? As with women, one answer is not to leave it too late. Men over 50 have a four-times-higher risk of fathering a child with Down syndrome and French scientist Elise de la Rochebrochard says that being over 40 is "a key risk factor for reproduction".* Mary Kittel, author of the book Stay Fertile Longer, recommends that men take a multivitamin supplement, stop smoking and keep their alcohol intake to within government guidelines.* She also advocates avoiding steam rooms and long hot baths, and recommends hourly breaks during car and bike rides, to avoid overheating the sperm.* Switching from briefs to boxer shorts and jettisoning tight trousers can also help to keep sperm at the optimum quality.* Alternative therapists say that many of the practices that can boost a woman's fertility may also be helpful to men.* Acupuncture may boost sperm quantity and quality, according to one study; the extract of maca herbs from Peru have been claimed to increase testosterone levels.* Hypnosis and reflexology may also help men who feel that their partner's desire to have a baby is making them stressed and under pressure during sex.* Vitamin B and zinc supplements may also help with energy levels and general good health.

Acupuncture offers holistic approach

By Anna Wootton, anna@cfp.ky
Wednesday 21st June, 2006 Posted: 15:56 CIT (20:56 GMT)

In 1997, the National Institute of Health conducted a Consensus of Acupuncture, and the findings were encouraging for the realm of alternative medicine.
“There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine,” stated the Consensus.
This recent acknowledgement of traditional Chinese medicine comes quite late. Acupuncture, in particular, has been practiced for more than 3000 years.
The facts are promising, also. Statistics show that in the treatment of insomnia, for example, acupuncture has yielded a total effective rate of 90.44 per cent. For depression, all subjects tested improved to a greater extent than those who did not receive alternative treatments.
Violetta Karanek is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and she practices acupuncture at Cayman Clinic.
“Traditional Chinese practitioners of acupuncture use needles, cups and moxabustion in their treatments,” said Ms Karanek. She also uses all three forms of treatment in her practice.
The overwhelming amount of knowledge to be learned in the field of traditional medicine is inspiring for alternative practitioners. “As a practitioner you have to learn different techniques constantly,” stated Ms Karanek. “But I call it my Mary Poppins bag – the more I learn, the more I have to give to my patients.”
Most people are surprised to learn that there is more to acupuncture than just inserting needles into different areas of your body to encourage the flow of Qi (chi) and help to heal injuries or emotional and physical problems.
Acupuncture also involves cupping, which is a therapy designed to stimulate the flow of blood and Qi within the superficial muscle layers. It is used for sore muscles, tension, neck pain and the common cold. In this therapy, small plastic cups are placed over specific areas on your body. A vacuum is created under the cup using suction, and are often either moved over the affected area or left in place.
Cupping often leaves red marks, which are no cause for alarm, and should quickly disappear.
Moxabustion is also a key part of the acupuncture process. It is often used in treating sleep disorders. The herb mugwort is burned on the handle of the needle, above the skin, and warms acupuncture points or areas so that it quickens the healing process.
A form of moxabustion, called “scarring moxa” has also been done traditionally, but is now usually only practiced in China. It involves burning the moxa cones directly on the patient’s skin until a blister forms.
“I once was treating AIDS patients, and they would specifically ask for me to do scarring moxa,” said Ms Karanek. “They had so many scars on their body already from the AIDS and they loved the energy lift that the moxa gave them.”
Perhaps aspects of acupuncture sound scary, but actually the whole process is quite relaxing, and Ms Karanek does all she can to ensure that you are calm. Tui Na, a special form of massage that opens up the muscles to receive the needles more easily, can also be done if you are very tense.
Holistic approach
An important aspect of the practice of alternative medicine is the way in which the practitioner approaches the patient. “We have a very long intake form, which many people have commented on in the past,” said Ms Karanek.
“This is because we treat you holistically – as a whole person. We look at your whole life. Sometimes there may be an emotional cause that triggers a physical response.”
Safety is also carefully observed in Ms Karanek’s practice. “It is now the law to use disposable needles, and we use only disposable needles,” she explained. “This is mainly because of the hepatitis virus – the AIDS virus dies when exposed to oxygen, but the hepatitis virus doesn’t, and so we’re extra careful with the needles.”
The Chinese consider the ear to be a microcosm of the body, and so points are often placed on the ear, where they remain for one week, usually. These points are placed on areas of the ear that correspond to the areas of the body that the acupuncturist worked on in your session.
In acupuncture, the body is divided into meridians. These are best thought of as rivers, Ms Karanek explained. A block in the river means that you have pain. If Qi flows freely, then it nourishes everything. If there is a blockage in this Qi, then something is affecting your body.
That is when acupuncture can be used as a treatment.
“Your body is the most sophisticated computer,” said Ms Karanek. “It gives you constant little signs which we often don’t notice or ignore. Then it will eventually ‘crash’ on you, and you will feel pain.”
The holistic approach to a person’s lifestyle affects diet also. “In Chinese medicine, there are five colours that correspond to the five different areas of your body,” said Ms Karanek. “Wood is green, fire is red, earth or spleen is yellow, metal is white and water is blue or black. When the Chinese approach a balanced meal, they ensure that all the colours are there.”
Diet and health
It is this connection between a person’s diet and their health that causes traditional practitioners to strongly encourage the message that all of us have heard before: we must eat breakfast. “When you don’t eat breakfast, you don’t feed the spleen meridian,” explained Ms Karanek. “This is the meridian that fuels your mind. If you’re a student or work a job where you use your mind a lot, it is important to feed that meridian.”
Many patients tell Ms Karanek that they don’t like to eat cereal in the morning. “I would love to find out when it was that cereal became breakfast,” said Ms Karanek with a smile. “You don’t have to eat cereal for breakfast.”
In fact, your spleen prefers yellow foods from the earth, such as yellow fruits or root vegetables.
“For most people food is a comfort,” said Ms Karanek. “If we go to a strange place, food will always be what is familiar.” Ms Karanek recommends travelling with something that reminds you of home that isn’t food–related, such as a pillow or photograph.
This all–natural, drug–free approach to health can at worst do no harm. Everyone should investigate their lifestyle habits and diets to see if they could make any improvements.

Fish oil 'calms children better than Ritalin'

by FIONA MACRAE, Daily Mail 01:00am 20th June 2006

A daily dose of fish oil is better at treating hyperactivity than Ritalin - the 'chemical cosh' linked to the deaths of children, stunning research has revealed.

Just six capsules a day of the naturally-occurring oil can vastly improve children's behaviour without any of the side-effects of Ritalin and related drugs.

The controversial drugs can cause heart problems, dizziness and insomnia and have been blamed for the deaths of nine children in the UK and dozens more in the US.

The new study provides a natural alternative - and gives fresh hope to the parents of the 30,000 British children prescribed Ritalin and similar medicines such as Concerta.

Last night, experts accused doctors of being too quick to boost the coffers of large drug companies by writing out prescriptions - and urged parents to look into the value of improving their child's diet.

Psychiatrist Dr Sami Timimi (CORR) said: 'It stands to reason that using a natural supplement that has few dangers or side-effects must be preferable to using drugs which have considerable dangers associated with them.

'This is a non-toxic way of doing something that might make a difference.'

Last year, a study by Durham Local Education Authority showed that omega 3 can improve the brainpower and concentration of hyperactive children.

The latest findings, from the University of Adelaide, are the first to show that omega 3 fish oil may be better than medication at treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The compound, which occurs naturally in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, is responsible for a range of health benefits, from combating heart disease to boosting intelligence.

Despite this, most people eat just a fifth of the amount recommended for good health.
The Australian researchers looked at the effect of eye q (CORR) fish oil capsules on a group seven to 12-year-olds with ADHD.

Some were given the capsules, while others took a placebo or dummy capsule.
Within three months, the behaviour of those on the fish oils had dramatically improved and, by seven months, many of the children were less restless and doing better at school.

The most striking improvement was in concentration or attention, which improved by a third.
When those taking the dummy capsules switched to the fish oils, they also saw their behaviour improve.

Researcher Natalie Sinn (CORR) said: 'Many of those who had children who showed improvements commented that their children were calmer, were doing better at school and were able to concentrate longer and were therefore reading more.

'Overall, 30 to 40 per cent of children over 15 weeks and 40 to 50 per cent of children over 30 weeks had improvements.'

She added that week-on-week improvements were still being seen at the end of the study - suggesting the results of an even longer course of treatment, may be even more dramatic.

The researchers also compared their results to those from studies of Ritalin and Concerta and found fish oils are more effective, a Sydney conference on omega-3 will hear this week.

British experts said the research, which is to be published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (CORR), underlined the value of exploring alternative treatments to Ritalin.

The number of hyperactive children on medication is soaring, with a staggering 330,000 prescriptions written out each year, or 6,350 a week.

Nine British children have died after taking the drugs. Two died of heart problems, while others suffered illnesses including strokes and swelling of the brain. Dr Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Lincolnshire NHS Trust, said: 'Drugs like Ritalin have considerable dangers associated with them, including insomnia, changes in personality and cardiotoxicity - they are bad for the heart and can cause heart attacks, strokes and sudden death.

'It must be preferable to that.'

Nick Giovannelli(CORR), of the Hyperactive Children's Support Group, urged parents to consider using natural alternatives to Ritalin.

He said: 'GPs seem to be too quick to prescribe medication.

'This new study adds to the mounting evidence that nutrition is safer and more effective than stimulant medication.'

Dr Madeleine Portwood, the educational psychologist who led the Durham trial, said: 'This study shows once again that omega 3 can have a very beneficial effect for children with concentration and behaviour problems.'

The Royal College of Psychiatrists said the findings were 'promising' and warranted further research.

Other studies have shown that omega 3 is also effective in children without ADHD or learning difficulties, boosting their grasp of the three Rs and improving their GCSE grades.

Concerta's manufacturers, Buckinghamshire-based Janssen-Cilag (CORR), said the drug is part of a package of care which should include attention to diet.

Dr Tony Donovan, the firm's associated medical director, said Concerta had a good safety record but did not suit all children.

He advised parents considering switching their child to fish oil to consult their child's specialist.

'It is not a decision to make off your own bat,' he said. 'I would advise a parent to have a discussion with their specialist about the benefits or otherwise about changing medication before making any changes.'

The makers of Ritalin, Swiss-based Novartis, said the drug had a long record of being a safe and effective medication. A spokesman advised anyone concerned about side-effects to consult their doctor.

Acupuncture Helps Fibromyalgia

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study out of the Mayo Clinic reveals acupuncture can help ease the painful symptoms associated with fibromyalgia (FMS), a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by fatigue, stiffness in the joints, and sleep problems.

The study compared outcomes among 25 patients who received active acupuncture and 25 similar patients who received a simulated acupuncture treatment. All the patients were assessed for symptoms using the standard Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) both before receiving the treatment and then again one month and seven months later.

Neither group of patients knew which treatment they were really getting, which the authors note helps to defray the "placebo effect" often seen in studies measuring pain.

On average, FIQ scores in patients who received acupuncture were reduced to 34.8 at the one month follow up, compared to 42.5 in the placebo group. Results were most significant for the symptoms of fatigue and anxiety. The reduction in scores following acupuncture was in addition to reductions seen with standard care for the condition, which basically involves behavioral and educational interventions.

The authors write, "Our study showed that acupuncture reduced the FIQ score by seven points. This benefit was additive to the beneficial effect produced by the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program."

The benefit seen with acupuncture also mirrored benefits derived from treatment with antidepressants, acetaminophen and other drugs.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2006;81:749-757

Study finds acupuncture effective to relieve symptoms of severe musculoskeletal disease

The traditional Chinese acupuncture could reduce the symptoms of a musculoskeletal disease that disables many people, a study released on Tuesday said.
The disease, called fibromyalgia, is characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms such as fatigue, joint stiffness and sleep disturbance. No cure is known and available treatments are only partially effective.
But according to a research team led by Dr. David Martin, an anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia patients who received acupuncture reported improvement in fatigue and anxiety, among other symptoms.
Acupuncture was also well tolerated with minimal side effects, the researchers said in the June issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. This work lends credence to patients' belief that nontraditional methods may improve their health, they noted.
The study involved 50 fibromyalgia patients enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial to determine if acupuncture improved their symptoms. Twenty-five in the acupuncture group and 25 in the control group.
In the acupuncture group, total fibromyalgia symptoms were significantly improved compared with the control group during the study period, the researchers found. Fatigue and anxiety were the most significantly improved symptoms during the follow-up period.
"We found that acupuncture significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptomatic improvement was not restricted to pain relief and was most significant for fatigue and anxiety," the researchers concluded.
According to Martin, the study demonstrated that acupuncture is helpful, and also proves physicians can conduct a rigorous, controlled acupuncture study.
Future research could help physicians understand which medical conditions respond best to acupuncture, how to apply it to best relieve symptoms, and how long patients can expect to their symptoms to decrease after each treatment.
Patients are increasingly interested in pursuing complementary medicine techniques, such as the acupuncture, in conjunction with their mainstream medical care, Martin said.
"The results of the study convince me there is something more than the placebo effect to acupuncture," he said in a statement.
"It affirms a lot of clinical impressions that this complementary medical technique is helpful for patients," he added. Source: Xinhua

Acupuncture Relieves Symptoms of Fibromyalgia, Mayo Clinic Study Finds

ROCHESTER, Minn., June 13 (AScribe Newswire) -- Evidence suggests acupuncture reduces the symptoms of fibromyalgia, according to a Mayo Clinic study.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder considered disabling by many, and is characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms such as fatigue, joint stiffness and sleep disturbance. No cure is known and available treatments are only partially effective.
Mayo's study involved 50 fibromyalgia patients enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial to determine if acupuncture improved their symptoms. Symptoms of patients who received acupuncture significantly improved compared with the control group, according to the study published in the June issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
"The results of the study convince me there is something more than the placebo effect to acupuncture," says David Martin, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the acupuncture article and a Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist. "It affirms a lot of clinical impressions that this complementary medical technique is helpful for patients."
Increasingly, patients are interested in pursuing complementary medicine techniques in conjunction with their mainstream medical care, Dr. Martin says. But often, such techniques lack scientific evidence to justify a patient's expense and time.
The study lends credence to patients' belief that nontraditional methods may improve their health. In Mayo's trial, patients who received acupuncture to counter their fibromyalgia symptoms reported improvement in fatigue and anxiety, among other symptoms. Acupuncture was well tolerated, with minimal side effects.
Mayo's acupuncture study is one of only three randomized and controlled studies involving fibromyalgia patients. Of the other studies, one found acupuncture to be helpful, while the other reported it was ineffective for pain relief.
Dr. Martin says Mayo's study demonstrates that acupuncture is helpful, and also proves physicians can conduct a rigorous, controlled acupuncture study. Future research could help physicians understand which medical conditions respond best to acupuncture, how to apply it to best relieve symptoms, and how long patients can expect to their symptoms to decrease after each treatment.
Dr. Martin performed the study at Mayo Clinic Rochester with co-authors Ines Berger, M.D.; Christopher Sletten, Ph.D.; and Brent Williams.

Common painkillers "increase risk of heart failure by a third"

Regular use of commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, increases the risk of heart failure by 30%, according to a new study. (Heart failure arises when the heart no longer has the power to pump blood effectively.)
The study didn't look at the modern alternatives to NSAIDs, called COX-2 inhibitors. Vioxx, Merck's controversial COX-2 inhibitor, has already been withdrawn for increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke in a trial.
So, not only do NSAIDs cause gastric upset, but you are 30% more likely to suffer with heart failure if you take them on a regular basis.
NSAID drugs are routinely recommended for a wide variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, and many patients are not aware of natural alternatives which can be equally effective, and free of such unpleasant side effects.

Can Acupuncture Boost In Vitro Fertilization Pregnancy Rates?

On TV's Sex in the City, when Charlotte had difficulty getting pregnant, she went to see an acupuncturist. She may have been on to something. Two studies published in the May issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility suggest that acupuncture may improve the outcome of in vitro fertilization. A randomized controlled clinical study at the IVF center at the University of Witten/Herdecke in Germany examined 225 people undergoing in vitro fertilization. One group of 116 patients received luteal phase acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. A second group of 109 people received placebo acupuncture. The treatment group had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate than the placebo group (33.6% vs. 15.6% respectively). Researchers at a fertility clinic in Denmark found that the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher when women received acupuncture immediately before and after embryo transfer compared to a control group who received no acupuncture (39% vs 26%). The researchers concluded that acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer improved the outcome of IVF. However, a third study published in the same journal found no significant benefit. A single-blind randomized controlled trial at the University of Adelaide examined 228 women receiving three sessions of either acupuncture or a noninvasive sham acupuncture control and found the clinical pregnancy rate was 31% in the acupuncture group and 23% in the control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The researchers also examined health status and adverse events and concluded that acupuncture appeared safe for women undergoing embryo transfer.

Acupuncture linked to IVF success. 05/06/2006. ABC News Online

Acupuncture linked to IVF success. 05/06/2006. ABC News Online: "Acupuncture linked to IVF success

By Sophie Scott

Researchers in Adelaide have found that giving acupuncture to IVF patients can substantially increase pregnancy rates.

But the reasons for the treatment's apparent success are still unclear.

For Suzanne Hemmerling, who had tried a couple of cycles of IVF with no luck, it was third time lucky when she enrolled in the University of Adelaide study.

She was given acupuncture just before and after the embryo was implanted.

'At the very least, it might have improved my mindset and made me more positive but I'm sure it did a lot more than that,' she said.

Her daughter Ashley was born 20 months ago and her second child is due in four weeks.

In the trials, half the women were given real acupuncture, while the rest were given non-invasive needles.

'There were over 1,000 patients, and patients who had had acupuncture done in the correct place had double the pregnancy [rate] after IVF,' Professor Rob Norman said.

But Prof Norman admits the research team is unsure why the ancient treatment might make a difference.

'Acupuncture probably has an effect on the lining of the womb in a way that we don't yet understand,' Prof Norman said.

'It may be increased blood flow or changing chemicals involved with the implantation process but it certainly seems to work."

Fertility experts say acupuncture might be most useful for older women or those who have had problems conceiving through IVF.