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bedevil’s advocate

ACUPUNCDevil’s Advocate:

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A study conducted by researchers at the University of New York compared acupuncture as a co-therapy to medical care alone, and found that acupuncture treatment can work with standard medical care to reduce the severity of symptoms in patients suffering from chronic pain and depression. On the other hand, another study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that acupuncture in addition to conventional medical treatment had no effect whatsoever in treating infertility; researchers looked at 1000 women

with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of infertility, who received medication in addition to acupuncture twice a week. After 10 months, there was reportedly no increase in live births. Just one example, but a good representation of the acupuncture debate: can it work with conventional medicine to alleviate symptoms at a more effective rate? Or is it simply a waste of your hard-earned coin?

Katelyn and I decided to turn guinea pig for a day and trial acupuncture for our own particular (albeit relatively minor) ailments.

When it comes to acupuncture, the lines are drawn clearly in the sand: in the left corner are the enthusiasts and practitioners that vouch for its effectiveness for treating skin conditions, digestive issues, infertility, inflammation, immune deficiencies, pain and even depression – naturally; in the right corner are the sceptical scientists who point decidedly at the deep chasm where evidence and studies should be. WH&F journalist Angelique Tagaroulias and editor Katelyn Swallow decided to brave the (some might say, slightly scary) needle and give it a go.

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FOR DIGESTION – ANGELIQUE Although my many years of suffering digestive issues has left me open to trying (almost) anything to alleviate the regular discomfort, acupuncture (needles, eek) was never at the top of my list.

“Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on prevention of illness as on treatment,” says doctor of oriental medicine Dr Benji Trenkner (drbenji.org), who specialises in the treatment of infertility and digestive wellness and has over 11 years’ experience in the industry.

“All digestive issues are treated in the same way regardless of severity, the variable being how long it takes to resolve the issue. Acute digestive issues can be treated effectively in about four to six weeks while chronic conditions may take two to 12 months to resolve. In my experience, with the correct acupuncture protocols combined with advice on lifestyle, diet, exercise and sleep, the length of treatment can be markedly reduced.”

Dr Trenkner began our session by asking a series of health- and lifestyle-related questions, then followed with a tongue

examination (looking at different colours and shapes that correspond to different areas of the body) and pulse evaluation in an attempt to determine the core of the issue. With a red tongue pointing to inflammation in the body, a weak digestive system (unsurprisingly) was the likely culprit, so consuming a herbal mixture and probiotics daily was recommended in addition to acupuncture.

Then it was time to lie on the bed, turn to the view of the trees outside the window and do my best to relax. I was nervous about the needles (to be fair, the word needle isn’t normally associated with fun times) but Trenkner assured it was safe. Plus, they’re more the size of nana’s fine sewing needle than the ones jabbed into your arm for a blood test.

“The treatment involves the insertion of fine, single-use sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of ki (force or energy) through the patient. This allows the body’s circulation to be corrected and to ensure the organs are functioning better,” says Dr Trenkner. A one-hour session will set you back anywhere from $90 to $110.

THE ROAD TESTS

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The very fine needles were easily inserted into my left ankle and foot at five points. I felt no pain or discomfort, only a slight tingle, and lay there comfortably and relaxed for around 20 to 25 minutes.

FOR SKIN – KATELYN Dr Abbie Cloherty of Dr Abbie Acupunture & Associates (abbiecloherty.com) studio is tucked just above a cutesy hipster café in Malvern, Melbourne. To be honest, I’m not traditionally the acupuncture ‘type’; you will sooner see me downing coffee than kimchi, and ‘relaxing’ while having needles inserted into my skin feels like an oxymoron. That said, it’s hard not to feel calm listening to Dr Cloherty’s whispery voice and gazing at her studio’s white-washed walls and timber furnishings. After complaining about my acne-spotted, red and blotchy skin at the wise old age of 26, it was time to begin.

My make-up was removed to better inspect the problem area, ‘before’ photos snapped and my pulse taken. I was also asked

to poke out my tongue. Yes – my tongue. “Firstly, we take the client’s Chinese

medicine meridian pulse and tongue diagnosis to clarify our traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis before we begin to address any cosmetic concerns,” Cloherty explains.

“Depending on skin type, an organic cold-pressed oil may be used, followed by extra-fine needles inserted to apply cosmetic acupuncture. Once the needles are applied, we leave the client to relax and fall into a deep, relaxed sedative state, where most people meditate or fall asleep, allowing the blood to circulate gently. Once the needles are removed, a jade roller is used to cool and relieve the skin.”

Needles were inserted at varied intervals from my feet all the way up to my face. I won’t lie: some insertions were fairly sharp while others were barely felt. Dr Cloherty was able to warn me in advance when the needle was likely to be painful and, after about five seconds, I barely noticed it was there.

According to Dr Cloherty, cosmetic acupuncture is most commonly used for its anti-ageing effects, to treat problem skin and acne caused by hormones, as well as to tighten and refresh the skin for a special event. The number of sessions required depends on a person’s age, purpose of the treatments and their individual health and responsiveness. A minimum of six sessions over four to eight weeks is advised for best results.

“The more lifestyle, diet and homecare the person does, the less need there’ll be for top-up treatments. Most clients don’t return for another top-up or cosmetic rejuvenation protocol for over 12 months,” says Dr Cloherty.

After all the insertions were complete, I was left for 20 minutes in the darkened room to practise deep breathing and relax. While I can’t say that I experienced the ‘deep meditative state’ that many report experiencing (I have needles inserted into my skin – I’m not falling asleep), it was a fairly comfortable timeout from my day.

ANGELIQUEAcupuncture is about healing the body and mind, and it certainly did have a calming effect on me both during the session and for the remainder of the day. Heading back to the office, I felt rejuvenated and energised and my digestion was perfect for the rest of the week. Soon after, though, I reverted back to my usual sporadic tummy discomfort – perhaps another visit to the acupuncture bed is in order. Or perhaps it was simply a coincidence. Who knows. But I would definitely try it again – especially considering acute digestive issues are usually treated over a four to six week period. I liked the fact it was a drug-free treatment with no negative side effects; so other than the monetary expense, it’s hard to find a reason not to give it a go. Especially given so many trips to GPs, naturopaths and dietitians have resulted in limited answers for me.

KATELYNI came into my treatment session with the worst skin I had had in over a year: I had red, pussy pimples circling my lips and plenty of redness. Within an hour, I noticed a lot of this redness had dissipated (whether this was due to the acupuncture or to the jade roller and the removal of make-up – who knows). The next day, a few of the pimples remained but the redness was almost a quarter of what it was. Even more surprisingly, as I was applying my make-up for an event the next night, I noticed my lips were beautifully plumped; almost like I had gotten lip fillers. Later that night, my friend and another work colleague also commented on their shape and volume. Coincidence? Maybe. But for about $150 per session, I will definitely be going back (likely with my take-away kimchi).

THE VERDICT

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THE PANELAlthough our road tests focused specifically on digestive and skin problems, acupuncture enthusiasts claim it can help with a range of ailments. We asked the experts in their respective fields for their take.

CHRIS EDDY Doctor of Chinese medicineacupuncturemelb.com.au

ON HOW IT WORKSWe are all made up of flesh and bones and run on a very low voltage current. When people’s hearts aren’t good they often get a pacemaker – basically an electronic device to run a timed current through the heart to keep good rhythm. Acupuncture works on currents in our muscles. When you put a steel needle in, it conducts current and changes the flow of it, helping to reset an upset current system in the body. It’s a gentle form of body reset to improve health and help you relax.

ON EFFECTIVENESSAcupuncture can’t treat everything; everything has its place and Western medicine, without a doubt, excels in emergency management. For pain conditions, there are many reliable studies showing that acupuncture is very effective and often superior to pain relief medication. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises 28 conditions that research has shown acupuncture can improve, including allergic rhinitis and side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, headache, neck pain and knee pain. The

DR JOSEPH SGROIObstetrician, gynaecologist, IVF & infertility specialistfacebook.com/drjosephsgroi

ON HOW IT WORKSAcupuncture is a holistic treatment, meaning it considers both the mental and physical profile of a patient. The needles are placed on specific pressure points to stimulate the release of hormones and internal blood flow.

ON EFFECTIVENESSFrom an obstetric and fertility aspect, increased anxiety and depression can contribute to the difficulties experienced by women trying to get pregnant. While there is no biological plausibility to why acupuncture might work, it might be beneficial to women trying to get pregnant if done just before ovulation as it may reduce cortisol (stress) levels.

While there is no medically endorsed evidence or research that acupuncture can ensure a viable pregnancy, and it alone isn’t going to make a woman more fertile, it can be used to help cope with the emotional challenges throughout the process. Coupled with the advice and management of a fertility specialist and a healthy lifestyle, it may aid in becoming pregnant.

ON PROS AND CONSThere are instances where women have started to use alternative methods such as acupuncture coupled with taking herbs for fertility and haven’t communicated this to their fertility specialist or doctor. Unknown treatment has the potential to impede any formal medical fertility treatment and it’s important to speak to your fertility specialist or doctor before supplementing with alternate therapies such as acupuncture.

ON SAFETY AND RISKSFrom a fertility and pregnancy perspective, before embarking on alternative medicine it’s important to seek medical advice from your fertility

scope of acupuncture extends beyond this; however, more funding and further studies are required to offer a larger body of evidence.

ON PROS AND CONSPersonally (and I may be biased), there are very few cons to trying acupuncture, but I would recommend finding a qualified therapist. On the rare occasion you may bruise from an acupuncture needle, and if you’re scared of needles it might not be the therapy for you. But I find the positives outweigh the negatives, and during my 15 years of experience with patients, I’m still amazed to this day at results that I see.

ON SAFETY AND RISKSIf your practitioner is qualified and experienced there is very low risk of side effects. Although rare, side effects may include bruising and feeling dizzy after a treatment, especially if you have low blood pressure or haven’t eaten. Just as with other allied health practitioners, all acupuncturists must be registered through the government’s Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Needles should also be single use, disposable and sterile, and incinerated after use.

ON ALTERNATIVE THERAPYAcupuncture is often referred to as complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), meaning it can be either used alone or alongside another medicine to treat a condition. I believe it’s best to keep in contact with your GP and consult with them as your primary care practitioner (PCP). PH

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DR CHRISTINE MAYDentist qualified in Chinese medicinefacewell.com.au // @befacewell

ON HOW IT WORKSAcupuncture is a physical therapy provided by trained practitioners who have studied a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and is just one part of the Chinese system of medicine. Other parts include herbal medicine, diet therapy, exercise therapy (for example, tai chi or qigong) and massage therapy (called tui na).

A series of super-fine needles are placed into the skin and sometimes underlying muscle at specific points. The selection of points used is related to the Chinese meridian system, a detailed functional map of the body that links all aspects holistically – a very different way of assessing the body to a Western medical paradigm.

A client’s health is assessed using face, tongue, pulse, and sometimes hara (belly) diagnosis. At least 10 standard questions are asked to determine the person’s pattern of health imbalance that is manifesting the presenting symptoms. Once the pattern diagnosis is made by a practitioner, a series of acupuncture needles are selected and used to correct their imbalance and relieve symptoms. Needles are generally left in for 30 to 45 minutes, allowing activation of fascial, neural, endocrine and immunological communication pathways throughout the body to facilitate change.

Often clients go into a deep and meditative-like semi-sleep state during the relaxing and refreshing process. Lasting results can be achieved in a single visit for an acute problem, through to 10-plus sessions for a long-term chronic condition or cosmetic facial rejuvenation therapy.

ON EFFECTIVENESSAcupuncture is used for skin conditions and anti-ageing, digestive issues, inflammation, immune deficiencies, pain management, fertility, depression and more.

The results of this therapeutic modality can be amazing, especially for chronic conditions that are poorly categorised by conventional Western medicine and where adverse side effects can be significant.

There is clear evidence to support acupuncture’s use as an adjunctive therapy for conditions such as wrist RSI, tendonitis and migraines, but gaining high quality scientific evidence is an ongoing challenge, particularly because of the cost of studies. Trying to study a qualitative process in a quantitative way that standard scientific methodology dictates can adversely impact study results – it’s like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole!

ON PROS AND CONSThere are many pros to acupuncture. It’s a holistic therapy that treats the whole body, mind and spirit/emotions during every treatment and is minimally invasive and with little risk of adverse effects. However, people do tend to feel too relaxed to function at high speed immediately following a session.

The cons include overcoming needle phobia for those affected, and a little momentary discomfort on needle insertion in some people (usually the more pain you go in with, the more sensitive you will feel to the needles, but in most cases settles in less than a minute).

Acupuncture is not a strictly passive therapy; diet and lifestyle modifications are an integral part of the healing process. It isn’t a suitable modality for those seeking a pill to regulate or numb symptoms without aiming to address the underlying problem.

ON SAFETY AND RISKSIt’s very safe and adverse effects are rare. That said, it’s important to be treated by a qualified professional for best and safest results. Acupuncture is different to dry needling, which works on a musculoskeletal level only. There are a couple of risks involved with needling, such as bleeding or bruising if a blood vessel is nicked, and very rarely, punctured lungs (more likely in very thin people or those that have unusually high upper lobes).

ON ALTERNATIVE THERAPYPersonally, I’m an ambassador for the integration of health modalities, utilising the best of Western and complementary modalities on a case-by-case situation. This requires a coordinated approach by all health practitioners involved.

specialist, obstetrician or doctor before commencing any alternate treatments.

ON ALTERNATIVE THERAPYDepending on your age and health, your doctor may recommend a more proactive approach to fertility and will help you to weigh up options and establish a timeline to follow. You may have blood work and screening done prior, and then try acupuncture to address your specific individual needs. 

Vitality

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