Revista Internacional de Acupuntura最新文献

The main objectives of the orthodontic treatment are to generate correct occlusion and adequate dental alignment, which is reflected in the health of the orofacial tissues. During this treatment, dental movements are required to correct bite arches. These movements result from remodeling the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone in response to a mechanical load that generates local inflammation. This local inflammation can generate side effects that promote treatment abandonment if not adequately modulated. On the other hand, acupuncture through psychoneuroimmunological control mechanisms modulates inflammatory responses. Therefore, this review aims to analyze the acupuncture mechanisms of modulation of the immune system, give an overview of the possible applications of this medical specialty as a complement to orthodontic treatment to improve its efficiency, and open new questions that promote the generation of new lines of research.

Auriculotherapy and auricular acupuncture are techniques that involve stimulating specific points on the ear to treat a variety of physical and psychological conditions. This technique is based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem of the body, with each point corresponding to a specific organ or system. The history of conditions being treated through the auricle can be traced back to ancient civilizations, with evidence of its use found in Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. However, it was not until the 20th century that modern auriculotherapy was developed. Since then, auriculotherapy has been the subject of extensive research, and there is now a growing body of evidence to support its effectiveness. In this article, we discuss the historical context, possible mechanisms, clinical implications for treatment and diagnosis, and conclude by presenting a simple observation case.

The use of the auricle reflex system for treatment and diagnosis seems to be a promising complementary method with potential value for healthcare providers. It may provide a wider understanding of a patient's health and guide the selection of appropriate treatment options. It may also provide a cost-effective preventive diagnosis assessment tool that can be employed in areas without access to top-of-the-line healthcare technologies. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of the auricle microsystem and to further validate its effectiveness.

In this article, a selective and critical study of the contralateral acupuncture technique was conducted. Integrating essential information from a perspective of scientific evidence, which proposes an understanding of the neurophysiological mechanism of its action. Contralateral acupuncture proposes to puncture the side opposite to the diseased side of the patient.

In our review of the literature, the articles showed that the technique is able to stimulate brain regions involved in the pain process, such as the cingulate cortex and the cerebellum. Decrease the pattern of pain and provide an increase in the range of motion of the affected region.

In addition, an important observation is that there are no scientific studies that relate this technique to orofacial pain or to Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), except for one dissertation work.

As a conclusion, it was possible to observe that this therapeutic tool has the capacity to act at a distance from the affected area, it is possible to puncture the healthy side of the individual and obtain therapeutic results on the affected side. Avoiding the spread of a possible infection and reassuring the patient that they do not have to endure being punctured in an already painful region. A useful technique that requires more dissemination and research.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease of the airways that presents clinical manifestations such as wheezing, respiratory distress, chest tightness and cough, while an asthmatic crisis is the variable limitation of expiratory airflow.

This pathology is increasing in the world and represents a global health problem with few studies on auriculotherapy. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of deaths are from this cause. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman, with asthma detected at 6 years of age of six years, receiving basic treatment; oral salbutamol, aerosol 100–200 μg dose more than 8 times a day, presenting asthmatic attacks at least twice a month. After a treatment of auriculotherapy in the Shenmen, Lung, Bronchi, Asthma and Diaphragm points with 10 sessions, asthmatic symptoms and recurrence of asthmatic crises improved.

Background

Understanding the effects of natural remedies and alternative therapies on animal behavior is crucial for both scientific research and potential therapeutic applications. Aloe vera, a succulent plant known for its medicinal properties, has been widely studied for its potential benefits in various health conditions. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, involves the stimulation of specific points on the body to promote healing and balance. By assessing the behavioral changes in rats exposed to Aloe vera and acupuncture, this study aims to shed light on the potential benefits and mechanisms underlying these interventions.

Aim of the study

This study aims to investigate the impact of Aloe vera and acupuncture on rat behavior using an experimental approach. The findings from this research may contribute to our understanding of alternative treatments and their potential applications in both human and veterinary medicine.

Method

In this experiment, rats were divided into eight groups: one control and seven treatment groups. The rats received drugs, Aloe vera extract, or acupuncture once daily orally for 2 weeks. Their behavior was evaluated using the Open Field Test and The Forced Swim Test on days 1, 7, and 14. Blood samples were collected from the rats' hearts and analyzed to assess kidney and liver function.

Result

The results of the study showed that Aloe Vera extract, particularly at a dose of 150 mg/kg, exhibited significant antidepressant effects. The combination of Aloe Vera extract, fluoxetine, and acupuncture therapy yielded the highest antidepressant effects compared to other groups. Additionally, the Aloe Vera extract showed positive effects on kidney and liver function.

Conclusion

the study suggests that Aloe Vera extract may have potential as an alternative or complementary treatment for depression. Its antidepressant effects were demonstrated, particularly at a dose of 150 mg/kg, and were further enhanced when combined with fluoxetine and acupuncture therapy. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and understand the mechanisms behind these effects.

Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which men have difficulty in obtaining or maintaining a satisfactory penile erection, affecting their sexual life and quality of life. It is a common condition and its prevalence is increasing due to lifestyle changes and psychosocial factors. There are various approaches to treat erectile dysfunction, however many patients are not satisfied with conventional treatments and seek alternatives. Acupuncture is a technique that involves the insertion of needles into specific points of the body to promote the regulation of several systems and improve well-being. Regarding erectile dysfunction, acupuncture seems to positively influence the regulation of the hypothalamus, hormonal function, and local nervous function. Acupuncture is a promising therapeutic option, especially when combined with conventional therapies and by directly addressing mental health. However, the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction is still limited.

Objective

Demonstrate that acupuncture has a high therapeutic potential to treat patients with symptoms of digestive system disorders and mental health (depression, anxiety and sleep quality).

Materials and methods

A electroacupuncture treatment was developed to evaluate ten patients with digestive, sleep and mental health disorders using the baihui (Du 20), shenting (Du 24), and zusanli (E 36) points, inserting the needle through the skin (between 10 and 15°) baihui and shenting (connected for electrostimulation), and 90° to the bilateral zusanli point (bilateral electrostimulation), in 8 sessions of 20 min each, two times per week.

Results

After the 8 sessions, all the patients showed improvement in the signs and symptoms of the digestive system and reduced their 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale scores.

Conclusions

In this study we evaluated the therapeutic effect of the usage of electroacupuncture in 8 session (4 weeks), using the baihui (Du 20), shenting (Du 24) and zusanli (E 36) points in patients with digestive, sleep and mental health disorders. This study demonstrates the high therapeutic potential that electroacupuncture could have to attend these disorders in the population worldwide and that its use and more clinical studies can be promoted to promote and demonstrate its effectiveness.

The concept of jing qi function is essential in traditional Chinese medicine and its understanding is important in clinical practice to comprehend the processes of growth, development, and life maintenance. Essential jing energy is divided into two categories: prenatal and postnatal. Postnatal essential jing energy is related to the transformation of fluids and food in the spleen-stomach, and its deficiency is related to the lack of elements obtained from food. Prenatal essential jing energy is related to body formation and repair, growth factors, and regulatory processes of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic activity. Products that strengthen prenatal essential jing energy are related to the production and regulation of growth factors and stem cell therapy, reinforcing the idea of its relationship with genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic regulation.

Introduction

lorazepam is one of benzodiazepine medication that is usually used for its sedative and anxiolytic effect and has anti-depressant like effects. Turmeric is a plant that contain curcumin as main active compound that exert its antidepressant action inhibit monoamine oxidase and increase levels of dopamine and serotonin in brain.

Aim

the present study investigate the depression effect of curcumin (natural selective serotonin inhibitors) in comparison with acupuncture and lorazepam.

Method

32 adult rats weighing (150 g−280 g) were divided equally into 8 groups each group contain 4 rats. The first 3 group of rats were treated with lorazepam, mixture of (curcumin, black pepper and olive oil) and pricked with insulin needle at point gb39, respectively, while second 4 groups of rats were received lorazepam and mixture, lorazepam and acupuncture, mixture and acupuncture, and lorazepam, mixture and acupuncture, separately, and the eighth group is control group don't receive any drugs. After 35 days, forced swimming test was made for all rats.

Results

Liver parameters: - GOT increased in all group, GPT increased in rat's group that received lorazepam, mixture group and lorazepam + mixture group, This indicates the existence of problems previously with the liver of the rat used, and what remains is the high levels of GOT and GPT in the control group, while TSB is within the normal range for all groups. Kidney parameters:-blood urea levels increased in all groups and S. creatinine levels within normal range for all groups.

Conclusion

the evaluation of natural SERMs in the forced swimming test showed promising antidepressant-like effects, comparable to lorazepam and acupuncture. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and determine optimal dosage and safety. Natural selective serotonin inhibitors hold potential as alternative or complementary treatments for depression.

Spiritual activities are concepts from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to TCM, each organ controls a spiritual function or activity. These activities are considered as the most ethereal in each of the components of organic phenomenology. Based on González's approaches in 2009, this paper proposes that spiritual activities correspond to neural pathways related to processes studied by neurosciences. In this sense, shen could corresponds to consciousness (including the level of alertness as well as the content of the thought); hun to the pathways related to the processing of the emotions and the activity of default network mode; yi to the processes involved in cognition (memory and learning); po with the oscillations that allow the renewal and maintenance of the processes, and zhi with processes could be related to motivational behaviors (yang aspect) and with the pathways of pleasure and reward (yin aspect).