May 2009 [Volume 8, Issue 5]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Acupuncture Benefits Low Back Pain
• Herb of the Month – Abutilon Seed (dong kui zi)
• Ask an Acupuncturist

Acupuncture Benefits Low Back Pain

There seems to be no question that Americans spend a great deal of money dealing with back pain. According to research, we spend at least $37 billion annually on medical care for back pain. Furthermore, the economy suffers another $19.8 billion in lost worker productivity due to back pain. In response to this, there has been extensive research on the use of acupuncture for treating back pain. Now, a new study published in the May 11, 2009 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine has added even further to the literature on the value of acupuncture in treating back pain.

Daniel C. Cherkin, PhD, and colleagues examined a group of 638 patients suffering from back pain to determine not only if acupuncture is superior to usual care for treating back pain, but to see if needle insertion at individualized points is the mechanism of action by which acupuncture works best. A total of 10 acupuncture treatments were provided over the course of eight weeks.

At 8-week followup, all groups of patients showed improvement. However, the usual care group only improved by 2.1 points (scored on a disability questionnaire), as opposed to the individualized, standardized and simulated acupuncture groups, which improved by 4.4, 4.5 and 4.4 points, respectively. The greater improvement for the acupuncture groups over usual care continued all the way to 52 weeks, at the end of the study. Of those patients receiving real acupuncture, only 11 reported any side effects.

Interestingly, at the end of the study, there was little difference between the four acupuncture treatment groups in terms of effectiveness. The researchers speculated that this may mean that acupuncture's actual mechanism of action may not be clear and that further research is warranted.

Nevertheless, they concluded, "Compared with usual care, individualized acupuncture, standardized acupuncture and simulated acupuncture had beneficial and persisting effects on chronic back pain. These treatments resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in function. ... For clinicians and patients seeking a relatively safe and effective treatment for a condition for which conventional treatments are often ineffective, various methods of acupuncture point stimulation appear to be reasonable options, even though the mechanism of action remains unclear."

For more information on the many benefits of Oriental medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Herb of the Month – Abutilon Seed (dong kui zi)

Also known as the Indian mallow or the velvetleaf, abutilon is a type of tree that grows predominantly in the world's tropical regions. The fruit of the tree is gathered once it ripens in the late summer or early autumn. The fruit is dried in the sun. After drying, the seeds are harvested from the fruit, then ground into a powder or paste.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, abutilon seeds have sweet, moistening, and neutral-cold properties, and are associated with the Bladder, Large Intestine and Small Intestine meridians. Its main functions are to clear heat and dampness, and to invigorate the blood. Abutilon seeds are sometimes used to reduce fevers, reduce inflammation and increase urine flow. Some practitioners also use abutilon seeds to treat respiratory conditions such as tuberculosis, and to aid in digestion. Externally, abutilon seeds can be ground down into a poultice or paste to treat skin ulcers and boils.

The typical dosage of abutilon seed is between 15 and 30 grams, boiled in water and taken as a tea or decoction. Larger amounts can be used if abutilon seed is being applied to the skin.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be cautious when using abutilon seeds. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking abutilon seeds or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Ask an Acupuncturist

Question: Hi, how do you tell the difference between blood deficiency and yin deficiency? I know they are different but as I read more about it, they seem to be similar. Could you please explain the difference to me in a manner that I can understand?

Answer: In TCM, blood deficiency is a mild form of yin deficiency. They both represent similar conditions and similar, cooling and fluid-like aspects of the human body. Yin deficiency will have more heat-like symptoms than blood. These heat-like symptoms are caused by false heat, a condition that occurs because the cooling properties of yin are unable to balance the normal yang, or heat, aspects of the body.

Do you have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit the "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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