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This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to:

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. While relatively few studies have explored the use of acupuncture to treat stroke patients in the U.S., several clinical trials conducted in China have found that it may help those who suffer a stroke get back on the road to recovery. The results of one such recent study, published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, suggest that the earlier acupuncture is performed, the less severe a stroke patient's disabilities will be, and the better chance that person has of resuming a normal life.

Eighty-six patients who had suffered an ischemic stroke within the past seven days were divided into two groups. The first group received electroacupuncture (EA) at eight acupoints (LI4, LI10, LI11, LI15, SP6, ST40, ST36 and Du20) 20 minutes a day, five days a week, for four weeks, and were taught to perform functional exercises. A control group received conventional treatment plus passive and/or active functional exercises. A battery of tests were performed on each group throughout the study to measure neurological deficit, motor impairment, and the ability of patients to take care of themselves.

While both the control and EA groups improved significantly over the course of the study, EA patients demonstrated "superior" results in terms of better neurological defecit scores, improved motor skills and a greater ability for self-care. These results were seen as long as three months after the final session of electroacupuncture was given. The researchers concluded that "early acupuncture treatment for acute stroke patients may improve motor functions, and consequently the activities of daily living."

SOURCE: Jian P, Lijuan S, Ruxing C, et al. The effect of electroacupuncture on motor function recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction: a randomly controlled trial. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 21(4):270-272.

Astragalus is a fast-growing herb native to northern China. While more than 2,000 varieties of astragalus exist worldwide, the Chinese version is the type that has been tested most extensively.

Astragalus contains numerous compounds, including flavonoids, polysaccharides, amino acids and trace minerals. Traditionally, it has been used for conditions such as night sweats, diarrhea, and qi deficiency. Preliminary studies conducted in Asia have determined that astragalus can enhance immune function and prevent some infections in people undergoing dialysis for kidney failure.

Some textbooks recommend taking between 9-15 grams of astragalus in a decoction, which is made by boiling astragalus root in water for a few minutes, then brewing the tea. Other providers recommend between 1,000-1,500 milligrams of astragalus in capsule form, or 3-5 millileters of an astragalus tincture taken three times per day.

Astragalus in considered quite safe. At present, there are no known side-effects when astragalus is used as recommended, and no well-known drug interactions. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before you begin to take astragalus or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

References

Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, pp. 27-33.
Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, pp. 50-3.

Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions:

Answer: Yes, it is possible to treat the symptoms of food allergy through acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Usually the sensitivity to and frequency of symptoms decreases over the treatment period. You will need an examination and evaluation for your particular case.

Question #2: I have been suffering for a long time with painful and swollen feet, and it has been presumed it is partly gout. I have been taking medication for that and also had a bit of acupuncture. Can gout affect other parts of the feet besides the big toe, and will acupuncture help?

Answer: It does not sound like gout, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to know without an examination. Gout is a possibility, but there are other more likely explanations. You will need an examination by an acupuncturist for an evaluation of your total symptom picture.

Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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May 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 4] To Your Health is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: Electroacupuncture for Stroke Patients Herb of the Month: Astragalus Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum *Electroacupuncture for Stroke Patients* Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. While relatively few studies have explored the use of acupuncture to treat stroke patients in the U.S., several clinical trials conducted in China have found that it may help those who suffer a stroke get back on the road to recovery. The results of one such recent study, published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, suggest that the earlier acupuncture is performed, the less severe a stroke patient's disabilities will be, and the better chance that person has of resuming a normal life. Eighty-six patients who had suffered an ischemic stroke within the past seven days were divided into two groups. The first group received electroacupuncture (EA) at eight acupoints (LI4, LI10, LI11, LI15, SP6, ST40, ST36 and Du20) 20 minutes a day, five days a week, for four weeks, and were taught to perform functional exercises. A control group received conventional treatment plus passive and/or active functional exercises. A battery of tests were performed on each group throughout the study to measure neurological deficit, motor impairment, and the ability of patients to take care of themselves. While both the control and EA groups improved significantly over the course of the study, EA patients demonstrated "superior" results in terms of better neurological defecit scores, improved motor skills and a greater ability for self-care. These results were seen as long as three months after the final session of electroacupuncture was given. The researchers concluded that "early acupuncture treatment for acute stroke patients may improve motor functions, and consequently the activities of daily living." SOURCE: Jian P, Lijuan S, Ruxing C, et al. The effect of electroacupuncture on motor function recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction: a randomly controlled trial. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 21(4):270-272. Herb of the Month: Astragalus Astragalus is a fast-growing herb native to northern China. While more than 2,000 varieties of astragalus exist worldwide, the Chinese version is the type that has been tested most extensively. Astragalus contains numerous compounds, including flavonoids, polysaccharides, amino acids and trace minerals. Traditionally, it has been used for conditions such as night sweats, diarrhea, and qi deficiency. Preliminary studies conducted in Asia have determined that astragalus can enhance immune function and prevent some infections in people undergoing dialysis for kidney failure. Some textbooks recommend taking between 9-15 grams of astragalus in a decoction, which is made by boiling astragalus root in water for a few minutes, then brewing the tea. Other providers recommend between 1,000-1,500 milligrams of astragalus in capsule form, or 3-5 millileters of an astragalus tincture taken three times per day. Astragalus in considered quite safe. At present, there are no known side-effects when astragalus is used as recommended, and no well-known drug interactions. As always, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before you begin to take astragalus or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, pp. 27-33. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, pp. 50-3. Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions: Question #1: Can acupuncture help to diagnose food intolerances? Answer: Yes, it is possible to treat the symptoms of food allergy through acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Usually the sensitivity to and frequency of symptoms decreases over the treatment period. You will need an examination and evaluation for your particular case. Question #2: I have been suffering for a long time with painful and swollen feet, and it has been presumed it is partly gout. I have been taking medication for that and also had a bit of acupuncture. Can gout affect other parts of the feet besides the big toe, and will acupuncture help? Answer: It does not sound like gout, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to know without an examination. Gout is a possibility, but there are other more likely explanations. You will need an examination by an acupuncturist for an evaluation of your total symptom picture. Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask. Unsubscribe Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/unsubscribe.php. Update your e-mail address To update the e-mail address your newsletter is sent to, click here. If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.