This might be one of much interesting things for one or the other of us, maybe especially for those who want to wait a little longer for even gentler and safer variations of ablation techniques, which are already visible on the horizon...
The evidence from clinical experiments of acupuncture given at Neiguan (PC 6) spot has been proven effective in cardiovascular pathologies including cardiac arrhythmia. To understand how acupuncture prevents the atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, an in vivo model of AF in rat was induced with continuous tail injection with CaCl2 and ACH for 7 days. Meanwhile, bilateral acupuncture at PC6 was treated for 30 min just before the injection, and amiodarone worked as a positive control in this study. We found that both acupuncture (PC 6) and amiodarone treatments could effectively prevent the onset of arrhythmia and restore the sinus rhythm in AF rats. The analysis of ECG showed the AF maximal durations (p<0.05) and P-wave dispersion (p<0.05) in acupuncture (PC 6) were reduced. H & E-stained sections of the right atrial appendage from model group showed interrupted cardiomyocytes, myolysis, interstitial edema and increased extracellular space, which could be significantly improved by acupuncture at PC 6 group. Ultrastructure changes also were observed with electron microscope. Compared with the rats from model group, the sarcomeres were organized normally, and the number of swollen mitochondrial was reduced in the group of acupuncture at PC 6. Moreover, there were no major ultrastructure differences with the amiodarone group. These results suggest that the anti-arrhythmia effect of acupuncture may be mediated through the restoration and modification of remodeling of right atrial appendage....
The main finding of this study was that Naiguan acupuncture continued for 0.5 h was as effective as amiodarone in reducing duration of symptomatic AF episodes and P-wave dispersion by approximately 50%, without the suppression of heart rates compared with amiodarone treatment in conscious rats. More pertinent to our results was the experimental evidence that acupuncture of the Neiguan spot exerted an antiarrhythmic effect similar to that of amiodarone in patients with persistent AF.
Quite interesting and I’ll read further, but a question immediately comes to mind, which is how long does the afib “relief” last? Does the acupuncture offer long-lasting (months? More?) relief or what frequency of acupuncture is required?
Much as I shudder at the thought of animal models for medical trials, and thankfully this is far less than it used to be, it is reassuring to see that acupuncture can create positive physiological changes. Hopefully this will start to erode the very western idea that acupuncture is one of those many woo-hoo, “all in your head” mystic alternative therapies. I am no longer registered to use acupuncture , but it was one of my tools when working as a physiotherapist, and I can honestly say I found it very useful when treating musculoskeletal problems.
I have to finish by repeating Bob’s comment, poor rat.
I have found quite a lot of help from Bowen treatment which I consider is a bit like acupuncture without the needles using lay lines and small manipulations of critical points of the body. As always there are good a bad practitioners so choose wisely.
My man treats surfers and Motorcross riders for their injuries and seems to have a good following with even a testimonial from Bear Grylls. He has done relaxation on my vagus nerve which I believe helped my ectopics. Not seen him since Covid of course.
30 +years ago I was successfully treated for chronic sinusitis with acupuncture. This set in ( I had never suffered from it before)after moving to Birmingham and was probably caused by the air pollution there. My GP prescribed several courses of antibiotics to no avail ( apart from floxing me for the first time) and the hospital ENT doc suggested a horrific sounding procedure which involved cutting out a bit of my nose. I declined this for the time being and said I had just started a course of acupuncture and would see how that went before deciding. The acupuncture was unpleasant as the needles were put in my face but it worked. I have never had sinusitis since. The GP then told me that she had had the op and it had worked - for 6 months and then the sinusitis came back. She thought she might try the acupuncture! I discovered many years later when reading my medical dossier that the ENT doc had described me as a "bizzare young woman" presumably as I prefered to give acupuncture a go before opting for his op.
I am a believer in alternative/complementary therapies and have had acupuncture with two different practitioners since I was diagnosed with AF (2011) which was paroxysmal at first but is now either persistent or permanent and I am now asymptomatIc. I went to the first one regularly for several years and she definitely claimed to be working on the AF but it didn’t help so I eventually stopped going. I don’t know which points she was treating. Some time later, I was treated by a different acupuncturist whom I consulted for a different health issue (PHN following shingles). He was also taking my heart condition into account as, by this time, I was also in HF and such therapists treat the body holistically not as a series of parts. Although in both cases, I benefited from the treatment in other ways, it did not help either the AF, HF or PHN, all of which are still with me. I have also tried a range of other things without success. However, as is so often said here, everyone is different and therapists are different too..
For those with an interest. Acupressure proponents claim -
Neiguan (Inner path or gate). P6 (Pericardium 6) can be found on the inner arm above the wrist. Bend your wrist and from the wrist crease measure up about 4 fingers. Between the ligaments of the little finger and ring finger (on both arms) you will find a slight indent. Pressing with your thumb it will feel sensitive - play around the area and when you touch it you will have an Ah! moment and will know. Best with loose wrist and fingers slightly curled.
For those interested there are according to Chinese medicine on HT7 (heart 7). Shen Men (Spirit Gate) Bend writs slightly, at front of the wrist along the crease made when bent, move towards the base of the little finger (still on the crease you will find an indent. Massage the spot on both wrist - claimed to help palpitations, anxiety, insomnia. Therefore recommended whilst in bed before sleep.
Also L9 Great Abyss opposite sider of wrist to Shen Men mentioned above. Below base of thumb, again an indent massage circularly for a minute or so - both wrists Claimed to be good for palpitations, cough and chest pain.
Finally, claimed to increase immunity (who doesn't need this these days). Outer Gate point see the Neiguan above. This time on the front of the arm opposite Neiguan. I use two fingers between the Ulna and radius. Feel around and when you hit the Ah! spot (sensitive) apply gentle pressure claimed to bolster immune system.
I've done extensive accupuncture for ectopics and anxiety. There is something there. Usually, the anxiety and palps would flare immediately during and after and into the evening, but then I'd have a reprieve of varying degrees for the following 4-5 days, until the next visit. You remind me I need to pick this up again now that things are opening back up.....
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