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The Effectiveness of Auricular Acupuncture as a Treatment for Stress and Anxiety: Pilot Study Feedback

23/2/2017

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Here at CalmPoint Acupuncture we undertook a little pilot study towards the end of 2015. The aim of this pilot research study was to assess the effectiveness of auricular (ear) acupuncture as a treatment for stress and anxiety. I’m happy to say that I now have some feedback from the pilot study. I have been very fortunate to have had assistance looking at and analysing the data from an academic and lecturer from the Psychology Department at Strathclyde University.
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In summary, acupuncture treatments were carried out by me over a four week period in my clinical practice based in Paisley. Tiny acupuncture needles were inserted into specific points on each ear and participants were encouraged to sit quietly for the 20 minute duration of the treatment.
CalmPoint ear acupuncture treatment
​Unfortunately, the numbers taking part in the study were far too small to provide statistically significant or meaningful analysis of the acupuncture treatments. Also, some participants had to leave the study early due to ill health (mainly flu virus & migraine) and this change in numbers also affected the ability to meaningfully analyse the data. However, although there was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups (ie those receiving acupuncture treatment vs those receiving a placebo acupuncture treatment), the data does provide very useful information to help inform my future research studies.

The good news is that there was a difference in stress levels for everyone taking part – stress levels reduced significantly regardless of which treatment they had or which treatment group they were in (group treatment or 1-2-1). For research/statistically-minded people the p-value was p<0.001. For non-statistically-minded people that’s quite a big improvement! Some participants’ stress scores came down by more than half… though perhaps not such good news for me as I was hoping that the study would show that it was the acupuncture that reduced the stress levels…  Here are some of the comments participants made on their feedback forms at the end of the four week study:

“I can definitely report feeling more calm and more in control of my emotions. I have had situations over the last few weeks which would normally see me nearing breakdown, but I’ve managed to be calm and rational and able to relax”

“I still felt calm and relaxed – even when I was cooking and feeding 12 people on Christmas day – I would normally have high stress levels.”

“For the first time in a long time my Christmas was happy”

There are so many variables that can influence the results of research studies like this, not least the very subjective perception of stress levels. However, I’m more than happy that participants’ stress scores changed so significantly – especially in the busy four weeks leading up to Christmas. Just by volunteering to take part in the study, thinking about and having an awareness of their stress levels in order to ‘score’ them each week for the study did have a significant and positive impact on how participants felt and how they scored their stress levels over time. My experience tells me that this is that happens when people do stop and pay attention to how they are responding/ reacting to life and situations around them – that pause creates a space for new ways of coping, thinking and feeling to make themselves known. Even something as simple as taking a little time out to be still and just breathe… helps tremendously. So I would most definitely encourage participants and everyone else(!) to keep doing that.
So, in summary then, the numbers were far too small to say anything about the acupuncture treatment – whether it worked or didn’t work. What the data does tell us is that everyone who took part felt less stressed whilst taking part in the study.

My plan is to conduct a bigger research study later in the year with assistance from Strathclyde University. Studies like this are particularly (notoriously….) difficult to carry out. The gold standard would be a ‘double-blind’ study where neither the participant nor the acupuncturist know which treatment is being given and which group is being treated. This is definitely going to prove a challenge in future studies we carry out and I’m not so sure that it’s possible do this as a completely double-blind study.

I’d like to personally thank everyone who volunteered to take part and those who did take some time out during that busy time of year to assist me with my research. Personally, I was in my element as it is so important to me that the treatments I provide are effective. The results of this pilot study have given me lots to think about and given me some challenges for future studies!
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If you would like more information about the study and/or the data analysis please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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Maybe it's the menopause... Part 2

26/1/2017

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Woman receiving acupuncture treatment
Woman receiving ear acupuncture treatment
A while ago I wrote a blog post about the menopause and 34 symptoms you might not immediately think were caused by the hormonal changes taking place at this time of life. You can read it here Maybe it's the menopause...?.  I thought I'd give you a little update and tell you about one of my favourite treatment choices for my clients.  I regularly see women who experience a whole variety of different menopausal symptoms and very often these women haven't suspected that the changes happening to them could be related to the hormonal changes that are taking place in their body during the menopause.

Women often come with aches and pains, feeling that they're not coping as well as they usually do, they often complain of feeling more emotional and tearful, have experienced weight gain, loss of libido, headaches..... the list goes on.  I usually start with a full case history and suggest changes that can be made with nutrition, supplements and some lifestyle changes. Acupuncture is my first treatment of choice in these situations - mainly because I can treat a variety of different symptoms using acupuncture, it's very effective, very safe and generally free from negative side effects.

Earlier this year I had a client who came to see me for acupuncture for back pain. When we completed the case history it transpired that she'd been experiencing quite a number of the problems I mentioned earlier.  I treated her back pain by placing needles on a variety of points on her back and legs. I then used ear acupuncture to help reduce stress levels, balance hormones and generally help her feel stronger and better able to cope. I then placed 2 little magnetic pellets on each ear and gave her instructions on how to use these when feeling stressed or anxious. When I saw her a week later her pain score had come down from 7 out of 10 to just 1, she was feeling much better in herself with a reduction in most of the symptoms... and had noticed an increase in libido :)

Who'd have thought that sticking a few tiny needles in someone's ear could help with so many different 'problems'.

Ladies - please don't ignore those changes!  I've heard so many women say that they thought they were going crazy or were worried that something more sinister was going on in their body  because so many different things seemed to be going 'wrong' at the same time. There are lots of things you can do to help ease the symptoms you're experiencing during this time in your life.  Acupuncture is just one of those treatment choices but there are plenty of other 'natural' treatments that can help you balance and support your body and surf the menopausal waves.  Do a little research, contact local natural/complementary therapy practitioners - ask for an initial chat before you commit to treatment, most professional practitioners will welcome this opportunity to meet you and answer your questions.  It might take a little time to find the best treatment for you but when you find it you'll definitely feel the benefit.  As one client said to me "I've got my mojo back!"
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Happy Menopause :)

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Maybe it's the menopause...?

26/1/2017

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Thoughtful menopausal lady
34 symptoms of the menopause
I came across this article recently "34 Menopause Symptoms".  I've seen so many clients recently who have had a variety of problems, both physical and emotional, that they (or their health care professionals) initially didn't contribute to the menopause, so it seems like a good time to share it here.

When thinking about the menopause most people think about hot flushes and weight gain but there are so many other physical and emotional symptoms that might also be attributable to this time of change in our lives. It can be a relief to know that your symptoms are a normal part of the menopause (regardless of how uncomfortable/distressing they might be) and that you're not "going crazy" as one client recently said.

One of the benefits of recognising that your symptoms might be because of your hormones (or lack of them...) you are then in a better position to treat those symptoms appropriately. Have a look at the link - you might find it helpful in identifying some of your own symptoms.

There are lots of ways to help make this life transition easier and HRT may be one of them. I know lots of women who've had a whole new lease of life as a result of taking HRT but I also know others who've not had the same benefits and have instead opted for a more natural/non-pharmacological approach. A more natural approach might include for example herbs, yoga, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, etc. I get good results with hypnotherapy and acupuncture, especially auricular (ear) acupuncture, when treating clients in my practice.

I recently treated the lovely Carol Smillie of Diary Doll. Diary Doll specialises in protective pants for periods, leaks and incontinence and they're perfect for those little leaks that can all too often happen during the menopause. Carol and I wrote a blog about our experience and you can read about it over on the Diary Doll website blog. The blog's in 2 parts,  you can read part 1 here and part 2 here.
 

Carol Smillie and Adele Logan and acupuncture treatment for the menopause
So, there are many different ways of managing the changes that take place during the menopausal years and although one method worked for your best friend don't feel bad if it doesn't work for you - remember that what works for one might not work for another. It might take a little time to find out what's best for you but there is help out there and it might just be the breath of fresh air you're looking for.
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Divine Relief... Use acupressure to help relieve stress, anxiety and pain.

26/1/2017

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Relax, sleep better and generally cope better with everyday stress by massaging and applying pressure to tiny points on your ears and/or hands. Two of these points, Shen Men and Point Zero, are known as Master Points in Chinese Ear Acupuncture  and are so useful and effective that they are used in most treatment protocols. 

Generally speaking, treating these points brings the body and mind back into balance so I often  recommend to clients that they get into the habit of massaging these points first thing in the morning (to help energise and relax) and just before bedtime (to help balance and relax).

Give it a go! Let me know how you get on.
For everyday stress and anxiety and for helping you sleep. 

Shen Men (also known as 'Spirit Gate' or 'Divine Gate' in Traditional Chinese Medicine) - helps clear the mind and calm the spirit. As one of the Master points and most often used points, Shen Men helps alleviate stress, anxiety, pain, low mood, restlessness and  insomnia. Shen Men is also one of the main ear points used in the detoxification of drugs, alcohol and in the treatment of substance abuse. Shen Men is also located on your wrist so if you’re finding it a bit tricky to find the right spot on your ear you’ll find this one easily!

Point Zero - is often associated with the solar plexus area in the body. When this point is treated it helps calm the mind and body as well as encouraging the body to return to a more balanced state.
Ear showing acupressure points for relaxation
Hand showing relaxation acupressure point
For pain - especially good for pain in the head/face/neck - headaches, migraine, toothache.

Hegu (translated ‘Joining Valley’) - is one of the most often used acupuncture points. It is the main point used for pain anywhere in the body
Hand showing Hegu Point
Hands applying pressure to Hegu Point
Picture
Knee pain, stiff neck & shoulders, tennis elbow, joint pain?  Feeling irritable and 'stuck'?

Here's another useful point for you to add to your self-care 1st aid acupressure tool box. This one is a very popular acupuncture point which can be used to help treat stiffness, tension or tightness in the muscles and joints. It's great for knee pain, calf pain and foot pain (a great point to use if you're a keen jogger). It's also a great point for neck and shoulder stiffness, arm and hand pain as well as tennis elbow.

This point is also used to help address emotional stress, feelings of stuckness and irritability as it can help our muscles relax and encourage deep relaxed breathing.

This point is located on the outer side of your leg just below the knee joint - where your trouser seam would be. Find the bony prominence just below the knee joint and then slide your finger down and to the front of this bony prominence you'll find your finger naturally slide into a little dip - that's GB24.

Acupressure instructions
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Acupuncture for Stress, Pain and Addiction Recovery

26/1/2017

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auricular (ear) acupuncture treatment
Auricular (ear) Acupuncture is a specialised form of acupuncture that is used to treat and help alleviate symptoms associated with stress, pain and addictions - for example drug and alcohol addiction. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese Medicine and also incorporating elements of Western Auriculotherapy, the treatment has also been used to successfully help with the detoxification process, helping reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as depression, insomnia, agitation and anxiety and promote deep relaxation. As well as the use of small, very fine specialised and disposable needles, small magnets and seeds are also used which are worn between treatments to support the healing process. The treatment is easy, quick and effective - very often dramatic results are achieved in just one treatment session, and free from side effects! 

Here are some of the ways this treatment can help:

  •  Calms the heart and mind
  •  Reduces hyperactivity 
  •  Reduces inflammation 
  •  Regulates and strengthens kidney and adrenal function 
  •  Regulates and facilitates lung function and relaxes the chest 
  •  Regulates the functioning of the heart and circulation of blood 
  •  Regulates the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (that’s the one that helps you cope with stressful  situations)
  •  Relaxes spasms of internal organs and can alleviate pain 
  •  Regulates skin function and sweat glands 
  •  Promotes excretion of urine and toxins.

What does this mean for you?  Here are just some of the conditions where auricular acupuncture has been shown to be effective and can help: 

  •  manage withdrawals and cravings from drugs and alcohol 
  •  stress and anxiety management - helps create a calm, positive and balanced outlook
  •  reduces symptoms such as fear and panic.
  •  arthritic conditions
  •  joint pain
  •  back pain
  •  neck and shoulder pain
  •  whiplash
  •  sciatica
  •  headache
  •  toothache and TMJ pain
  •  and much more...

Ear acupuncture can be used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many disorders and has been used to treat more than 200 disorders. 

Auricular Acupuncture is a fantastic therapy and I have seen amazing results being achieved - even with chronic conditions - in relatively short time periods - often in just one session. As well as helping with stress, pain and addictions, auricular acupuncture can also help support those wanting to stop smoking and lose weight.

Find out more on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the we

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    Author

    Adele Logan
    Life & Health Consultant, Coach & Trainer,

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