Toothpicks Match Needles for Acupuncture

Similar to ancient accupuncture

The use of toothpicks is similar to the use of pointed stone "needles" in ancient acupuncture. The use of objects that cannot penetrate the skin reduces the number of points that can be accessed but the method of treatment remains largely the same.

The result with toothpicks should really only be surprising if someone were unaware of the history of acupuncture, or similar treatment methods like moxibustion and tuina. Of course, the results can vary depending on the condition. For example, recently developed sciatica can take upwards of a dozen treatments to correct with acupuncture if a non-optimal set of points is used (for most people, one of the optimal points requires a long needle to reach). If the optimal points are used, then the condition can be corrected in 1-4 treatments. For comparison, a proficient tuina practitioner should require only 1 or 2 sessions for similar benefit for that particular condition. On a related note, if the person with sciatica has weak back ligaments, the acute symptoms will return unless the practitioner understands how to identify and correct that condition as well.

Lucien of CA @ May 14, 2009 14:44:17 PM

speaking of arrogance and ignorance...

You make the assumption that the scientists did the procedures themselves (opposite of the assumption that I made). I actually assumed that they had enlisted the aid of willing acupuncturists. Not enough detail is provided for either of those assumptions. I took your advice, and asked several competent acupuncturists, and they said that they disagree whole-heartedly with you comment. According to them, each therapy is targeted slightly differently to treat different concerns.

Thomas Smith of FL @ May 14, 2009 14:23:01 PM

acupuncture study

In my own study of acupuncture, I was taught that where you treat is more important than how you treat. I can see that toothpicks, if used on valid points would work. As a natural doctor with 20 years experience, I've found that the less invasive a treatment ( of any kind ) the better. Acupuncture is a small part of TCM (traditional chinese medicine) and we Americans have become fascinated with the esoteric and bored with the simple. Piercing the skin with a needle will not substitute for the basics of health. Chiropractic adjustments are effecting the meridians of the spine ( and probably the chakras too ), but acupuncture gets much more attention. Telling a patient to eat more fiber is boring but powerful medicine. Too often the mystery of the treatment ( whether a new surgical procedure or drug or ancient protecols from far away) will sway a patient's perception of the results. I never discount a patient's response, placebo or not.At the end of the day acupuncture is highly subjective and that's alright

Ezra Edgerton, DC/ ND of NC @ May 13, 2009 14:42:58 PM

The Facts

This study is not new. I have been reading these for years. As far as RCT’s are concerned this is actually a very good one given that it included a standard treatment branch as opposed to simply control and treatment. It is nice to see researchers getting out of their box. In the end however it is not possible to study such a dynamic animal as chronic pain and a holistic treatment approach that understands that the body and the mind are intimately connected. h

Anyone who reads or posts to this article should have an understanding of how incredibly complex chronic pain is. We are not just speaking about pain. We are speaking about living with pain, losing work, changing the dynamics of the household when someone cannot fully contribute, possibly loss of income, loss of sleep and stress; which all have a psychological component that triggers very real chemical responses in the body that prevent healing. Being one of my specialties I could go on but the real controversy seems to center on the placebo effect and sham acupuncture.

The answer is quite simple. The sham acupuncture was not sham at all. The toothpicks touched the skin. The skin contains 3 afferent sensory nerves that signal the CNS as well as modulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system specifically the vagus nerve.

The toothpicks stimulated the cutaneous nerves to send a signal to the spinal cord activating the spinal neurons that secrete enkephalin and dynorphin that inhibit pain messages. Then the signal continues up to the midbrain and pituitary that activates the raphe descending pain-inhibitions system which secretes monoamines, serotonin and norepinephrine that further inhibits pain through a couple different mechanisms that gets quite complicated. If you are interested see Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management.

Additionally, once the sensations from the toothpicks reached the spinal cord several nerve pathways are excited that reaches the cerebral cortex which releases numerous neurochemicals that not only inhibit pain but also promotes homeostasis. Homeostasis is incredibly important because as I said before we are not just talking about pain. This is a human being whose thoughts and emotions influence their body and whose body in distress can influence their mind.

There are too many valid articles and scientific research to speak any further on this. Any one who does not believe in acupuncture can look up studies done with fMRI in which sham and placebos do not exist.

Lastly the term acupuncturist is a misnomer. Acupuncturists practice traditional Chinese medicine which incorporates other modalities such as herbal formulas, massage, tui-na, diet, exercise, lifestyle counseling, tai-chi, qi-gong etc. It is a complete system of medicine that with proper communication with other alternative practitioners and open minded Md’s strives to help people find health and balance in their lives.

Christopher Salah, DAOM., L.Ac.

Christopher Salah, DAOM., L.Ac of CA @ May 13, 2009 13:54:49 PM

Arrogance exceeded only by ignorance

The author of the article is almost as much of an idiot as the authors of the journal paper. Of course those were arrogant MD"s who think they know everything - which is why the acupncture they did worked 60% of the time insetad of 100% - they don't know how to do it right.

Any competent acupuncturist will tell you that needles, acupressure (which the toothpicks are), chinese herbs and moxibustion (heat applied to acupuncture points) are completely interchangeable. Anything you can do with one, you can do with all the others just as easily.

Andy of WA @ May 13, 2009 13:05:18 PM

Poor article

The author of the article needs to do a little more research before writing "Western medicine has struggled to verify whether these meridians exist, much less understand the biological mechanism by which the penetrations apparently relieve pain and deliver other benefits". There is plenty of published research about this. At my clinic (www.bodysolutionsinc.com), I've referred many of my patients for acupuncture with great results.

Dr. Steve Young of NJ @ May 12, 2009 23:43:55 PM

Crock

What a crock of political drivel, R.S. Any excuse for Limbaugh moment, eh?

Mike of CO @ May 12, 2009 18:27:10 PM

Interesting

I'm with Irving on this one. There's nothing wrong with ethnocentrism. It's necessary to approach the alien from a perspective of our own understanding; otherwise we have no perspective and so can have no understanding. "Social liberals" would have us abandon this because in their heart what they really want is for us to abandon our culture and knowledge to be as the animals are; and on an intellectual level of animals as Mike's post encourages.

Don't let there be any guilt on ethnocentrism, such sentiments are patently absurd as well as counterproductive to the progress and growth of all dimensions of society.

R.S. Woods of LA @ May 12, 2009 17:24:26 PM