Acupuncture beats drug to treat hot flashes: study
By Will DunhamMon Sep 22, 12:45 PM ET
Acupuncture works as well as a drug commonly used to combat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that can accompany breast cancer treatment, and its benefits last longer, without bad side effects, researchers said on Monday.
They tested acupuncture, which began in China more than 2,000 years ago and involves inserting needles into the body, against the Wyeth antidepressant Effexor, for hot flashes in breast cancer patients.
Acupuncture was just as effective as Effexor, also called venlafaxine, in managing symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, according to researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
After 12 weeks of treatment, symptoms were reduced for 15 additional weeks for women who had undergone acupuncture, compared with two weeks for those who had taken Effexor, Walker said.
"It was a more durable effect," Walker, whose findings were presented at an American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting in Boston, said in a telephone interview.
There were no bad side effects with acupuncture, and women reported increased energy, overall sense of well-being and sexual desire, the researchers said.
Those taking Effexor reported side effects including nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, increased blood pressure, fatigue and anxiety.
Reference:"Acupuncture and Auricular Acupressure in Relieving Menopausal Hot Flashes of Bilaterally Ovariectomized Chinese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial," Zhou J, Qu F, et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2009 Feb 2; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: No. 604 Room in B Building, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 388 Yuhang Tang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, P. R. China. E-mail: [email protected] ).
Summary: In a study involving 46 women whose had been bilaterally ovariectomized and who were experiencing menopausal hot flashes, treatment with acupuncture and auricular acupressure (n=21) was found to be effective in relieving the severity of menopausal hot flashes. Subjects received acupuncture and auricular (ear) acupressure (n=21) or hormone replacement therapy (Tibolone, n=25). Immediately following the treatment period, no significant difference in the severity of hot flashes was found between the groups.
At follow-up (4 weeks post-treatment end), the severity of hot flashes was less in the HRT group as compared to the acupuncture and acupressure group, and at treatment end and at follow-up, the frequency of hot flashes was less in the HRT than in the acupuncture and acupressure group. However, in both groups, levels of FSH decreased significantly and levels of E(2) increased significantly.
The authors conclude, "Acupuncture and auricular acupressure can be used as alternative treatments to relieve menopausal hot flashes for those bilaterally ovariectomized women who are unable or unwilling to receive HRT."
Xania, the more Harry post about accupuncture, the more I wish you were living on this side of the world.... I dont know if I could trust someone to poke needles in me... except for you!!! When do you plan on moving to the states???
__________________ God is and all is well
~John Greenleaf Whittier~
uh oh... we better quit kidding around.. I can hear those needles whistling across the Atlantic (and I'm not going to say for which meridian Xania is aiming )
I use acupressure on myself to treat different ailments. I have had "Dr. Michael Reed Gach's book for years. I recently read about an "Atlas Area" on the body to control blood pressure.
I am using special acupressure mat for relaxation. I also know that is helps to reduce pain, but for me it is just a great tool for relaxation and for restoring of lost energy.
Acupuncture More Effective (Than Medication) ...
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Hybrid Mode
