Acupuncture and/or Cold Lazer

[lady54]

Any knowledge or experience with these treatments as they relate to PD would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Hidden]

I had some acupuncture and didn't feel it made any difference at all.

[hilarypeta in reply to Hidden]

I think it helps balance my body as i have it on one side at. Present..they claim it slows it down..who knows!

[etterus]

Both could be helpful for body pain.... not likely to alter PD though. But if it does let us all know ASAP.

[honeycombe3]

1 of my physios had training in medical acupuncture (MA) for pain relief. I was in agony when I had my 1st treatment. 2 hours later my husband commented that I was chatting as usual - the pain had gone!!!!!!! & I hadn’t registered it. I was back pain-free for the remainder of my (rationed) physio treatment. My physio gave me details of a local doctor (ex-anaesthetist) who trained her trainers. In November 06 I went for assessment by Doc Martin forPD using 5 Elements acupuncture. Not everyone is receptive to acupuncture. I am among the lucky ones!!!! I had 6 weekly treatments, followed by a couple of fortnightly sessions & I am now going monthly. I’m told I look a new woman – I certainly feel it.

[PatV]

I liked it, but it didn't help my PD symptoms and I twitched so hard I tore a adductor something in my hip. Acupressure massage is just as effective with some folks. Same was true for colonics--not worth the time, $ and travel . I will try anything that's free, close to home and fun

[lady54]

This is something I found of interest.

ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

In a study (4) of acupuncture therapy administered to 29 patients with Parkinson's, the patients were treated every other day for three months. Western drugs (mainly l-dopa, dopaminiergic receptor stimulants, and anticholinergics) were used as per usual practice; a control group taking Western drugs alone (24 patients) was also monitored.

Two sets of acupuncture points served as the basis of therapy, and they were administered alternately:

Group 1: sishencong (EX-HN-1), quchi (LI-11), waiguan (TB-5), yanglingquan (GB-34), zusanli (ST-36), and fenglong (ST-40).

Group 2: benshen (GB-13), fengchi (GB-20), baihui (GV-20), hegu (LI-4), sanyinjiao (SP-6), and taichong (LV-3).

Electro-stimulation was administered to sishencong, benshen, and fengchi for 15 minutes, using a frequency of 180 cycles/minute, with the intensity adjusted to the tolerance limit for the patient. To avoid reduction of sensitivity to the stimulus over the course of the treatment, a continuous wave was used initially, but then followed by a "disperse-dense" wave. The other points were needled with the conventional manual method of stimulation. Needle retention was 40 minutes. Additional acupuncture points would be used for treating specific symptoms, so that, with most points being bilateral, about 12-16 needles were used in each treatment.

The authors reported that there was a significant improvement in symptoms (10 symptoms were monitored to obtain a composite figure for change) for those treated with acupuncture, while for patients treated with drugs alone, there was a worsening of symptoms. Further, the patients treated by acupuncture ended up using a lower total dosage of drugs after the three months of treatment, while those using the drugs only retained their original drug dosage.

A follow-up study (5) was conducted by the same group, focusing on the sishencong points (a group of four points at the top of the head, surrounding the point baihui, GV-20), with a comparison group treated with four points on the limbs (arms and legs). According to the report, acupuncture increased the cerebral blood flow velocity, which was taken as a sign of improved circulation to the affected parts of the brain, and the sishencong points had a more notable effect on the brain circulation.

Another report on acupuncture (6) also focused on acupuncture near the scalp point baihui (GV-20). In this case, acupuncture was performed along the scalp from qianding (GV-21) to baihui (GV-20), using the standard techniques of scalp acupuncture. Needles were inserted at a small distance to either side of the governing vessel (central line), in parallel groups with a total of 12 needles used. After manual manipulation using a rapid twirling maneuver, the inner needles (closest to the center line) were attached to electrodes of an electro-stimulation device (with disperse-compact alternating wave form) and stimulated for 40 minutes at the highest intensity the patient would accept. Treatment was administered every other day for ten consecutive treatments over a three week period; this was repeated each month for three months. In addition to the scalp points, yamen (GV-15), fengchi (GB-20), and other points at the neck would be treated by standard acupuncture.

It was noted that there were some responses immediately after treatment, with calming of tremor in 2/3 of the patients. Among 24 patients that completed three months of therapy, 6 were said to show marked improvement, and the other 18 moderately effective (there were 43 patients starting the therapy, and some discontinued due to lack of efficacy).

[DeParkiePoet]

ACUPUNCTURE Can be very beneficial when used frequently. I am a retired acupuncturist. I receive treatments as often as possible. Choose the Practitioner based on recomendation...

[srarndt]

I've had accupuncture done a number of times and found about the same impact as a good therapuetic massage-that being a profound relaxation and a temporary cessation of pain.

Steve (Bisbee, AZ)