Yearly Archives: 2017

  Researchers confirm that acupuncture is more effective than two drugs (ibuprofen and diclofenac) for long-term relief of knee osteoarthritis pain, inflammation, and motor impairment. In one investigation, acupuncture plus herbal medicine outperformed acupuncture plus ibuprofen for pain relief. In another independent investigation, acupuncture outperformed diclofenac for relief of pain, inflammation, and motor impairment due to knee osteoarthritis. Let’s take a look at both investigations. Acupuncture plus herbs outperforms ibuprofen for the alleviation of knee pain, inflammation, and dysfunction. Guangxi Lingshan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers investigated the benefits of drugs, electroacupuncture, and herbal medicine for the treatment […]

  The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is known throughout the world for its innovative and often revolutionary cancer treatments. What may be surprising is that members of the Mass General team are supplementing their biomedical cancer treatments with a therapy so ancient that it predates recorded history. The therapy? Acupuncture. Acupuncture’s premise is that energy (chi) flows through a person’s body over 12 channels and 365 specific points. When one’s chi is disrupted or blocked, problems (such as pain) ensue. By inserting thin needles into the affected points, a trained acupuncturist can restructure and rebalance the blocked chi. This […]

  Rachel Gorman was diagnosed with idiopathic POTS, fibromyalgia, gastroparesis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and a multitude of other ‘opathies over a 4 year period from 2012 to 2016. Her onset was sudden at the age of 25 and her deterioration over those 4 years immense. She went from being an active, social 20 something holding down a senior job to needing to stop work, socialise and pretty much eat! In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is used to treat ailments ranging from the common cold to arthritis to muscle pain; many acupuncturists offer it. Causey uses it mainly to relieve pain, she […]

Cupping looks more painful than it is, though it can be very intense. Traditional cupping therapy is used in Chinese medicine to move blood and energy flow. You can use glass cups or plastic, and with heat or a pump, suction is created in the cup and pulls at your tissue. The suction, particularly if left in one place, leaves circular, red marks on your skin. Swimmer Michael Phelps was often seen with red cupping marks during the Rio Olympics last year. In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is used to treat ailments ranging from the common cold to arthritis to […]

Following a review of scientific evidence collected to date, researchers in Australia recently reported that acupuncture appears to be an effective treatment for some hay fever sufferers. “The success of the treatment was incredible,” hay fever sufferer Tom Laverick, who had one acupuncture treatment per week for three weeks, followed by three monthly top-up treatments, told the Yorkshire Post. “After just a couple of treatments, I was hardly suffering at all. It really did feel like the first time I’d actually been able to enjoy summer rather than dreading it and wanting to hide inside. If anyone suffers from hay […]

  All of us in AFI are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Professor George Lewith. George has died on 17 March, aged 67.  Professor Lewith was a qualified physician and general practitioner who had recently retired from clinical practice. Lewith graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in medicine and biochemistry. He then went on to Westminster Medical School to complete his clinical studies and began working clinically in 1974. Lewith’s research has ranged across several areas of complementary medicine. This has involved examining how complementary techniques might be investigated and the development of new research methodology to evaluate […]

  AFI Acupuncture Foundation Spring newsletter edition just out! In case you’ve missed our Spring Newsletter, you can still view it online here. The Spring edition contains some useful and interesting information including: News regarding clinical study of acupuncture & herbs and pregnancy International Committee of TCM Experts on the Regulation of TCM Department of Health Position on Complementary Therapies European Federations PEFOTS and ETCMA discussions Continuing Postgraduate Education with AFI and more    

  Bernadette Ward was elected as a Vise President of International Committee of TCM Experts for the Regulation of TCM. At a recent international WFCMS TCM Conference in Auckland New Zealand, jointly hosted by the New Zealand College of TCM and the WFCMS (The World Federation of TCM Societies), Bernadette Ward, was elected as a Vice President of the newly established International Committee of TCM Experts for the Regulation of TCM. Representing PEFOTS (Pan European Federation of TCM Societies), Bernadette joined international TCM experts from 11 countries. She was awarded her Certificate by WFCMS President She Jing at the Auckland […]

  Acupuncture helps reduce days with migraines and may have lasting effects, according to a new study. In the study, almost 500 adults were treated with either traditional Chinese acupuncture or a sham treatment in which acupuncture needles were inserted in nonspecific points. The acupuncture treatment points were previously used to study migraine. Participants did not know which type of acupuncture treatment they were receiving during the four-week study. After completing the study, all of the participants including those in the sham group reported fewer days with migraines than before the study began. Prior to the study, most suffered monthly […]

  More than 80% of Japan’s total annual production of miso goes into miso soup, and 75% of all Japanese consume miso soup at least once a day. Spring is the perfect time to try Miso soup. Miso soup is refreshing soup that is ideal for strengthening and cleaning your organism. According to researchers at Japan’s National Cancer Centre suggest that eating three or more bowls of the delicacy Miso soup every day could cut women’s risk of developing breast cancer. Yield: serves 4 Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Ingredients 1/2 cup wakami 4 tablespoons miso paste 2-4 fresh […]