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.

​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.

The Blissful Breathing Technique 

Now, to learn how to achieve this balance, place your left hand on your chest and your right hand on your stomach and inhale.  As you inhale through your nose, allow the  abdominal muscles (your belly) to expand naturally and notice the rise of your hand on your belly as you inhale and then the hand on your chest rising as you fill the chest  completely with the new air. Imagine filling a balloon - your lungs - they fill with air from the bottom up.  Then, as you exhale, out through your mouth, allow your belly to naturally relax as the chest softens and relaxes too.
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Take 3 of these deep breaths and notice how you feel.  It can often feel difficult at first to breathe in this way. However, the more you practice the easier it will become.

Test Yourself
To check yourself and make sure that you have got the hang of this relaxing breathing technique do this simple test.  Place both hands on your tummy at waist level with the fingertips touching. When you take a diaphragmatic breath - which means that you allow your belly to expand on the inhale - your fingertips will naturally separate as the air rushes into the belly and then fills the chest. As you exhale, the tips of your fingers will come  together again and touch.  Repeat this several times. Train the body how to do this and let go of the old hypnotic  program of, “stomach in, chest out”.

The Benefits of Blissful Breathing 

As well as activating the relaxation response, with practice you’ll notice other benefits such as renewed vigour and energy, more clarity of thought which helps you to concentrate on tasks at hand and be more focused.

Side effects 

When you are learning diaphragmatic breathing and beginning to practice the technique you may get a little light headed.  If this happens, it simply means you are changing the  mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs. You are increasing the oxygen and lowering the carbon dioxide.  If you do feel light headed know that it will pass and you will begin to feel refreshed.

Developing the Habit 

As you can see, diaphragmatic breathing is easy to learn and to master. Get into the habit of taking these deep breaths at a special time(s) each day.
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• Take six or eight deep breaths upon waking in the morning,
• Then repeat them after lunch and once more after dinner.
• Every time you reach for a door handle take a big deep belly breath.
• Before you pick up the telephone to make or answer a call, take a deep breath and add a smile.
• When you stop in traffic, for any reason, breath deeply several times to reduce your stress and remain balanced.
• Practice breathing this way as you speak. You will develop a better voice and reduce tension throughout your body at the same time.

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Keeping the body, mind and spirit in balance and filled with usable energy is only a deep breath away. You can manage the stress of everyday life. One way is to make the  commitment to practice this technique for a month.  Chart your results.  You will notice an improved quality of life, more energy and find that you can more clearly use your intuition to guide you on a regular basis.