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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:

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the leg. In some cases, the pain may extend below the knee and down into the foot. In addition to pain, sciatica may cause numbness and weakness of the lower leg muscles, leading to disability and decreased quality of life.

A study in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that stimulation of the Bladder and Gallbladder meridians can relieve the pain and soreness associated with sciatica. Results of the study showed that stimulation of specific points on each meridian could significantly reduce the symptoms of this condition, with relief in some patients lasting a minimum of six months.

The researchers examined 50 patients with sciatica between the ages of 15 and 51. After the patient was seated, a #28 gauge needle was inserted at the zan zhu point (BL 2) to a depth of 2-3 fen, with light, quick twirling performed to produce numbness. Next, the feng chi point (GB 20) was stimulated, with a needle inserted to a depth of one cun; only twirling was performed. The needles were retained for 30 minutes. Treatment was given once a day every 3-4 days, until a course of 10 treatments was delivered.

The researchers then observed the patients for six months to determine the effectiveness of treatment. Patients were judged to be "cured," or for the treatment to be markedly effective, effective or failed, depending on the degree to which the symptoms were alleviated. Cured patients, for example, had a disappearance of all signs related to sciatica, with no relapse in the six months following treatment.

Nearly every patient in the study experienced at least moderate relief of sciatica pain from acupuncture. Forty percent of the patients were considered cured; another 56 percent experienced "effective" or "markedly effective" results from treatment.

In their conclusion, the researchers explained that they chose zan zhu and feng chi because of their relation to the sciatic nerve. "The two meridians travel along the sciatic nerve, starting from the waist and buttocks," they wrote. "According to the theory of meridians and collaterals, we tried to needle zan zhu and feng chi in an attempt to regulate the qi in the two meridians, and finally reached the goal of alleviating sciatica."

Reference

Wang C, Ma J, Xiao L. Treatment of 50 cases of sciatica by needling zanzhu and fengchi. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2003;23(1):51-52.

Epimedium is a large, leafy plant native to China. It has short, thin stems and large, shovel-shaped green leaves, which are harvested during the summer and fall. Some species of epimedium also contain green or purple flowers, but they all have the same medicinal properties. The above-ground portions of the plant, including the stems, are used in herbal remedies.

Epimedium is used for a variety of disorders. It is sometimes used alone or with rehmannia to treat impotence and frequent urination, and as an aphrodisiac. It is also used to treat arthralgia, rheumatic conditions, back pain and muscle spasms. In traditional Chinese medicine, epimedium is believed to tonify the kidneys by strengthening kidney yang, dispelling wind and eliminating dampness.

Dried epimedium leaves, powders and extracts are available at most Asian markets and specialty food stores. Most practitioners recommend 6-12 grams of epimedium, depending on the condition being treated. The herb can be decocted in water for an oral dose, simmered into a soft extract, or mashed into a powder.

Because epimedium has a "drying" effect in traditional Chinese medicine, it should not be used in cases of hyperactivity of fire due to yin deficiency, or by people who are otherwise yin-deficient. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with epimedium. As always, however, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before taking epimedium or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy.

References

Dong X, et al. Effects of sichuan herb epimedium on the concentration of plasma middle molecular substances and sulfhydryl group of yang-deficiency [in Chinese.] Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chin Apr 1995;20(4):238-9, 254.
Hiltunen R, et al. Isolation and immunomodulatory effect of flavonol glycosides from epimedium hunanense. Planta Med 1997 Aug;63(4):316-9.
Liao HJ, et al. Effects of epimedium sagittatum on quality of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance [in Chinese.] Chung Kuo Chung His I Chie Ho Tsa Chin Apr 1995; 15(4):202-4.

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: I've seen heard the terms fen and cun and was wondering, just how "deep" are these measurements?

Answer: The term cun refers to one body inch; fen is one-tenth of a body inch. A "body inch" is an individual measurement, but in general, it is less than one inch.

Question #2: My friend has been suffering from foot pain. The foot doctor wants to operate; (there's a) big nerve on the inside of the foot. Cortisone does not work. Any suggestions?

Answer: Acupuncture for mere pain relief is something even the medical community has come to recognize in the last 10 years. I would certainly give it a try; about 6 to 10 visits to see if it will work, longer for lasting relief.

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

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May 2003 [Volume 2, Issue 5] 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: https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: Stimulation of Bladder, Gallbladder Points Effective in Treating Sciatica Herb of the Month: Epimedium Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Stimulation of Bladder, Gallbladder Points Effective in Treating Sciatica Sciatica is a painful condition caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the leg. In some cases, the pain may extend below the knee and down into the foot. In addition to pain, sciatica may cause numbness and weakness of the lower leg muscles, leading to disability and decreased quality of life. A study in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that stimulation of the Bladder and Gallbladder meridians can relieve the pain and soreness associated with sciatica. Results of the study showed that stimulation of specific points on each meridian could significantly reduce the symptoms of this condition, with relief in some patients lasting a minimum of six months. The researchers examined 50 patients with sciatica between the ages of 15 and 51. After the patient was seated, a #28 gauge needle was inserted at the zan zhu point (BL 2) to a depth of 2-3 fen, with light, quick twirling performed to produce numbness. Next, the feng chi point (GB 20) was stimulated, with a needle inserted to a depth of one cun; only twirling was performed. The needles were retained for 30 minutes. Treatment was given once a day every 3-4 days, until a course of 10 treatments was delivered. The researchers then observed the patients for six months to determine the effectiveness of treatment. Patients were judged to be "cured," or for the treatment to be markedly effective, effective or failed, depending on the degree to which the symptoms were alleviated. Cured patients, for example, had a disappearance of all signs related to sciatica, with no relapse in the six months following treatment. Nearly every patient in the study experienced at least moderate relief of sciatica pain from acupuncture. Forty percent of the patients were considered cured; another 56 percent experienced "effective" or "markedly effective" results from treatment. In their conclusion, the researchers explained that they chose zan zhu and feng chi because of their relation to the sciatic nerve. "The two meridians travel along the sciatic nerve, starting from the waist and buttocks," they wrote. "According to the theory of meridians and collaterals, we tried to needle zan zhu and feng chi in an attempt to regulate the qi in the two meridians, and finally reached the goal of alleviating sciatica." Reference Wang C, Ma J, Xiao L. Treatment of 50 cases of sciatica by needling zanzhu and fengchi. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2003;23(1):51-52. Herb of the Month: Epimedium Epimedium is a large, leafy plant native to China. It has short, thin stems and large, shovel-shaped green leaves, which are harvested during the summer and fall. Some species of epimedium also contain green or purple flowers, but they all have the same medicinal properties. The above-ground portions of the plant, including the stems, are used in herbal remedies. Epimedium is used for a variety of disorders. It is sometimes used alone or with rehmannia to treat impotence and frequent urination, and as an aphrodisiac. It is also used to treat arthralgia, rheumatic conditions, back pain and muscle spasms. In traditional Chinese medicine, epimedium is believed to tonify the kidneys by strengthening kidney yang, dispelling wind and eliminating dampness. Dried epimedium leaves, powders and extracts are available at most Asian markets and specialty food stores. Most practitioners recommend 6-12 grams of epimedium, depending on the condition being treated. The herb can be decocted in water for an oral dose, simmered into a soft extract, or mashed into a powder. Because epimedium has a "drying" effect in traditional Chinese medicine, it should not be used in cases of hyperactivity of fire due to yin deficiency, or by people who are otherwise yin-deficient. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with epimedium. As always, however, make sure to consult with a qualified health care practitioner before taking epimedium or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Dong X, et al. Effects of sichuan herb epimedium on the concentration of plasma middle molecular substances and sulfhydryl group of yang-deficiency [in Chinese.] Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chin Apr 1995;20(4):238-9, 254. Hiltunen R, et al. Isolation and immunomodulatory effect of flavonol glycosides from epimedium hunanense. Planta Med 1997 Aug;63(4):316-9. Liao HJ, et al. Effects of epimedium sagittatum on quality of life and cellular immunity in patients of hemodialysis maintenance [in Chinese.] Chung Kuo Chung His I Chie Ho Tsa Chin Apr 1995; 15(4):202-4. 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: I've seen heard the terms fen and cun and was wondering, just how "deep" are these measurements? Answer: The term cun refers to one body inch; fen is one-tenth of a body inch. A "body inch" is an individual measurement, but in general, it is less than one inch. Question #2: My friend has been suffering from foot pain. The foot doctor wants to operate; (there's a) big nerve on the inside of the foot. Cortisone does not work. Any suggestions? Answer: Acupuncture for mere pain relief is something even the medical community has come to recognize in the last 10 years. I would certainly give it a try; about 6 to 10 visits to see if it will work, longer for lasting relief. Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at https://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.