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Goodbye
to hay fever 
Acupuncture
- attacking pollen allergies with small needles
Here
it goes again - constant sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
The onset of one of the most beautiful times of year also marks the
beginning of the hay fever season for 17-20% of all Germans, making
it very unpleasant for them to be outdoors. Hay fever is a seasonal
allergic reaction limited to the months of January to October. Orthodox
Western medicine treats hay fever with anti-histamines and cortisone
drugs. Although these substances afford patients relief from the symptoms
over the short term, they may involve a variety of negative side effects
that can occur when these medications are used over the long term. This
generally chronic disease is hardly ever cured with these types of therapies.
Acupuncture does not use medication to fight runny noses and sneezing
attacks. Instead it suppresses the allergic reaction by mobilizing the
body's own regulation system by inserting fine needles into the skin.
Acupuncture alleviates the allergy to a bearable level; often the hay
fever disappears completely. It has proven useful to accompany acupuncture
treatment with a combination of other natural healing techniques. For
example, counseling on diet or an accompanying therapy based on Chinese
herbs increases the chances of having a life without a pollen allergy.
Acupuncture - the gentle alternative
Based
on the Western model of healing, acupuncture works by stimulating the
body's nervous system, causing the body to respond by increasing production
of key immune substances. The interaction and interplay of this regulation
ensures that the allergens cannot spread unimpeded and that the person
becomes healthy again.
Approximately 15 treatment sessions on average are required to successfully
treat a pollen allergy. Roughly 20 needles are inserted for about 20
to 30 minutes during each session. Treatment should begin before the
onset of the hay fever season. It is recommended to repeat this procedure
after one year to ensure the therapy's long-term success.
More
information available at www.akupunktur.de
In
addition to providing specialist and financial support for acupuncture
studies, the foundation also offers a professional information service
for physicians and patients. Visitors to the foundation's website at
www.akupunktur.de will find information on many different topics related
to acupuncture, from "Areas of application for acupuncture" to "Health
insurance coverage of acupuncture treatment." You can also find the
name of an acupuncturist in your area and pose a question in the Question
Forum to be answered by an expert. The results of current studies, basic
and advanced training courses, important upcoming events and book recommendations
are also provided for physicians and specialists.
For
more information, see: www.akupunktur.de
Reprinting
free of charge. Please send notice of reprinting to:
ACUPUNCTURE
FOUNDATION, Information Office
Eugen-Langen-Str.
25, 50968 Cologne, Germany
Tel: 0049 0221-30 99-562; Fax: 0049 0221-30 99-200
E-mail: presse@akupunktur.de
New
foundation supports acupuncture in science and clinics
Current information platform for patients and
physicians
Munich,
November 2002. "Creating a solid knowledge foundation." With this slogan,
the newly founded Stiftung Akupunktur plans to support and promote acupuncture
in Germany. Based in the town of Pullach near Munich, Germany, this
non-profit foundation thus aims to actively and effectively publicize
the areas of application and benefits of this therapy form. It is not
only meant to be a forum for physicians, scientists and specialists
to actively exchange technical information, but also a resource for
patients and the interested public to gain additional knowledge. There
is still a lot of work to be done in the area of acupuncture research
and in informing the public as to its possible areas of applications.
Even though acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, Western
medicine only began more intensively researching its possible areas
of application about 30 years ago. For this reason, the foundation concentrates
its activities on the following two main areas:
It supports organizations and individuals involved in scientific research
or in some other aspect of acupuncture through awards and grants. It
provides a neutral information platform for publishing the latest findings
and research results.
For more detailed information, see www.akupunktur.de
In addition to providing specialist and financial support for acupuncture
studies, the foundation also offers a professional information service
for physicians and patients. The foundation's website at www.akupunktur.de
presents information on many different topics relating to acupuncture,
from "Areas of application for acupuncture" to "Health insurance coverage
of acupuncture treatment." The names of local acupuncture practitioners
are also provided. Furthermore, questions can be posted in the Question
Forum to be answered by an acupuncture specialist. The results of current
studies, basic and advanced training courses, important upcoming events
and book recommendations are also provided for physicians and specialists.
"The success of the foundation's work will be able to be measured by
the degree to which acupuncture becomes a generally accepted form of
therapy. After all, Stiftung Akupunktur is not only to serve as a forum
for physicians and scientists to actively exchange information, but
also as a source of comprehensive and clear information on current issues
relating to this diverse therapy for patients and the interested public,"
says Dr. med. Klaus Teichert, founder and managing director of the foundation,
in explaining the foundation's activities.
Acupuncture Foundation's team of competent specialists ensures top
results
A committee will still be set up this year to ensure that the foundation's
efforts result in objective findings, useful to both patients and physicians.
The purpose of this committee will be to monitor the neutrality and
objectivity of the foundation and to make sure that the aims of the
foundation are being pursued. It will be comprised of one financial
expert, one acupuncture specialist, scientists, and committed representatives
from government and business. Furthermore, an optional scientific advisory
council will ensure the constant high level of foundation studies and
publications. The council will be made up acupuncture specialists, who
will define the direction and quality of research.
Reprinting
free of charge. Please send notice of reprinting to:
ACUPUNCTURE
FOUNDATION, Information Office
Eugen-Langen-Str.
25, 50968 Cologne, Germany
Tel: 0049 0221-30 99-562; Fax: 0049 0221-30 99-200
E-mail: presse@akupunktur.de
Speech
by Dr. med. Klaus Teichert, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Acupuncture
Foundation, on the occasion of Acupuncture Foundation's first press
conference
November 9, 2002, Hamburg
-This
transcription of speech may deviate from the actual speech. Wording
of actual speech is legally binding-
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When you go to a doctor in Germany, you do not count on being healed
when you leave the practice. Often, healing or alleviating the symptoms
is not even a topic of discussion during the visit. We have long come
to accept that all we receive from the friendly man in the white smock
is a prescription and a bill. No one really expects to have the exact
cause of the disease explained to him, let alone to have the symptoms
immediately alleviated. The interesting thing is that orthodox Western
medicine was originally considered a healing art, that is, until modern
times when it became a science, afforded the status of infallibility.
In our Western world, characterized by a faith in economics and science,
acupuncture was considered to be a pursuit of charlatans and quacks.
However, a fundamental change can be noted in acupuncture in Germany
over the past 50 years. The "shamans" have disappeared and the critics
have piped down. What remains is the desire to not only alleviate the
symptoms and pain of illnesses, but also to make possible holistic and
long-term recovery.
In contrast to its occult reputation, acupuncture, as we know it, is
truly an alternative form of therapy, especially successful in treating
pain. This method has been known for three thousand years.
The phenomenon of acupuncture began as a myth. According to a Chinese
legend, acupuncture was discovered by pure chance. The popular explanation
offered is the story of a warrior wounded by an arrow on the hand. When
the arrow was removed, the wound healed, but the warrior observed that
other things he had suffered from, such as headaches, were also cured.
It is a fact that acupuncture is closely linked with the philosophy
and culture of China. The writings of the healer Sun Si-miao, dating
back to 500 A.D., speak of thirteen demon-releasing points on the human
body, which when stimulated with needles can heal diseases. He also
mentions 32 medical substances against disease demons.
At around the same time, Lao-Tse founded Taoism, the teachings of the
internal law of nature. According to these teachings, Tao generates
a dynamic interplay between the complementary forces Ying and Yang.
Everything derives from this polarity field, even the life energy Chi.
Tao and Chi are thus the origin of all life processes. In a healthy
person, life energy flows harmoniously; the organs function vigorously
and unimpeded. According to the Chinese model, diseases are caused by
a disorder in the flow of the life energy Chi; there is either an overabundance
or a lack of life forces. Pain and other health disorders and diseases
can also be caused by blockages in the flow of life energy. Needling
of acupuncture points has a proven harmonizing effect. Abundance is
lessened, weakness is stimulated and blockages are freed so that an
unimpeded harmonious flow is promoted.
During an acupuncture session, a number of changes occur in the body.
These changes cause various sensations and feelings. Puncturing the
skin with acupuncture needles leads to a brief pricking sensation, which
is usually perceived as light and superficial. After needling the acupuncture
points, a pressure is often felt at the needle-insertion points, referred
to by the Chinese as "Chi sensation." This is sometimes also accompanied
by a slight feeling of "electrification."
Confucius introduced a form of enlightenment in China. As a result of
his influence, thinking became divorced from shaman cult and demon belief.
China's "golden age" began with the renunciation of "nature belief"
and movement towards independently acting and thinking human beings.
Acupuncture became part of Chinese medicine at this time. Physiological
functions and malfunctions began to be explained through Chi instead
of through magical forces and demons. The flow of life energy in the
body can be influenced in a variety of ways, including through acupuncture.
As early as 475 B.C., the fundamental book, "The Yellow Emperor's Classic
of Internal Medicine," offered the first precise instructions on acupuncture,
moxibustion, cupping therapy, tongue and pulse diagnostics, and on general
medical diagnostics.
Both traditional Chinese medicine and the art of acupuncture developed
steadily up until the 19th century. After the British defeated the Empire
of the Middle in the Opium War at the middle of the 19th century, China,
and soon all of Eastern Asia, was at the mercy of the influences of
the West. This threatened to lead to a cultural uprooting. In 1929,
Chinese medicine was even banned by the country's political leaders.
It wasn't until the 1960s, that Mao Tse-Tung enacted a phase of return
to traditional values. This movement led to a revival of traditional
Chinese medicine and even resulted in the development of new forms of
acupuncture, such as ear, head (scalp) and hand acupuncture. Electroacupuncture
and acupuncture anesthesia also originated in this period. At this time,
acupuncture gradually began to take over Europe. An increasing number
of specialists began working with this alternative healing method from
the Far East. The length of time that acupuncture has enjoyed the recognition
it deserves from the scientific community and general public has been
relatively short. In Europe, it continues to develop into a complementary
therapy and alternative to orthodox medicine. Its areas of application
in the past decades have significantly increased. Acupuncture therapy
is now being successfully used in Germany to treat chronic pain, such
as migraines and joint pain, and to handle psychosomatic disorders such
as neurodermatitis, and to deal with asthma, allergies, and chronic
gastro-intestinal disorders. In many pain clinics, acupuncture is now
a recognized routine therapy. According to estimates, in proportion
to the population, there are nearly twice as many acupuncturists in
Germany as in China. This is particularly astounding given the fact
that acupuncture was not recognized in Europe as a healing technique
until the 20th century, after it was completely forgotten in the 19th
century. Although people knew about acupuncture from the reports of
Marco Polo in the 14th century, this "exotic therapy" was only used
by English aristocracy in the 18th century.
It wasn't until after World War II that the West "discovered" acupuncture
as an effective therapy against diseases. On the occasion of the 4th
International Congress for Acupuncture in Paris in 1950, it attracted
the interest of the public through international press reports. In the
years to come, several organizations were founded for conducting research
in the area of acupuncture and expanding its use. President Nixon's
visit to China in 1972 also marked another turning point. This visit
called the attention of the international community not only to China's
political situation, but also to the country's highly developed sciences.
Television reports on surgeries in which the anesthesiologists used
acupuncture made a lasting impression on the entire world. Since that
time, intensive research and development activities have ensured the
continuously increasing acceptance and application of acupuncture.
Acupuncture has now long established itself in Germany. It is currently
being used by approximately 45,000 physicians and is fully accepted
by experts as an effective therapeutic method. Nevertheless, the public
continues to have certain apprehensions towards a therapy based on puncturing
the skin with small needles. It is important to eliminate this negative
association.
We want to demonstrate that acupuncture is not just a medical experiment,
but rather a successful form of therapy. Furthermore, we want to make
it known that acupuncture obviously offers great potential in terms
of application areas and effective therapy - a potential that is still
far from being fully utilized by physicians and patients. Therefore,
we see it as our duty to not stop here. In founding the foundation,
our aim is to determine the possibilities and opportunities for acupuncture,
thereby expanding its use.
If we can demonstrate that acupuncture can significantly reduce the
number of employees absent from work due to illness and that it can
significantly cut health care expenses due to its relatively low cost;
if we discover that acupuncture can help in still many other areas and
promote the treatment of causes and not just of symptoms, then our work
has easily paid off.
The challenges faced by Stiftung Akupunktur are great. Although acupuncture
is 2000 years old, Western medicine has only began intensively researching
possible areas of application in the past thirty years. Our work focuses
in part on convincing the medical community of the benefits of acupuncture
and demonstrating to users other possible applications for acupuncture.
Stiftung Akupunktur is also committed to providing comprehensive information
on therapy possibilities for acupuncture. There is a great need in Germany
for more information and education in this area.
Our motto is thus also our aim:
"Creating a solid knowledge foundation."
"The success of the foundation's work will be able to be measured by
the degree to which acupuncture becomes a generally accepted form of
therapy. After all, Stiftung Akupunktur is not only to serve as a forum
for physicians and scientists to actively exchange information, but
also as a source of comprehensive and easy-to-understand information
for patients and the interested public on the latest developments in
acupuncture.
Stiftung Akupunktur is a private non-profit foundation based in the
town of Pullach near Munich, Germany. It is primarily supported by institutions,
companies and private individuals. Our work involves two main areas
of activity: For one, through awards and grants, we support organizations
and individuals involved in scientific research or in some other aspect
of acupuncture. Furthermore, we provide an information platform for
publishing the results and findings gained in acupuncture research,
accessible to all interested parties.
We have set up a committee to ensure that the information we provide
is objective and useful to both patients and physicians. This committee
monitors the neutrality and objectivity of research and results and
makes sure that the aims of the foundation are being pursued. The committee
comprises financial and acupuncture experts, scientists, and representatives
from government and society.
In order to serve as an address for persons with issues relating to
acupuncture, the foundation will also place a special emphasis on service.
Our website at www.akupunktur.de not only offers important information
on all areas relating to acupuncture, including healthcare legislation,
it also contains the addresses of over 10,000 local acupuncture practitioners.
If information is required that is not addressed on our website or if
advice is needed on personal issues relating to acupuncture, questions
can be directed to our team of experts in our Question Forum. So much
to the theory.
The following sections contain a brief overview of our website, which
went on line today.
If we can promote acupuncture by providing information and exploiting
the potential of Chinese medicine, if we manage to support the continued
success of acupuncture in Western countries, then, Ladies and Gentlemen,
the purpose and aim of this newly established foundation will have been
fully accomplished. Thank you for your interest.
Acupuncture
instead of medication for eliminating pain
80% of all Germans suffer from back pain
A
backache so painful that it hurts regardless of whether you are sitting,
standing or lying. The first thing that comes to mind is to take painkillers
to relieve the pain. In Germany, acupuncture is still underestimated
as an alternative to drugs for alleviating pain. Practically free of
undesirable side effects, acupuncture has been very successful in treating
acute and chronic backaches. A backache is generally considered a symptom
and not a disorder itself. The pain is a warning signal issued by the
body and is usually triggered by a combination of physical, psychological
and social factors. This often poses difficulties in making a precise
diagnosis and in specifically treating the root of the problem. The
latest scientific studies show that acupuncture is ideal for treating
back pain with lasting results. In connection with an investigation
conducted by the Federal Association of Guild Health Insurance Funds
(IKK-BV)* in Germany, 84.1% of the study volunteers indicated a significant
reduction in pain through the used of acupuncture. A current study (gerac)*
being conducted by the Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany, even found
that 89.8% of the patients experienced a significant alleviation of
pain and a considerable improvement in their quality of life. On account
of the positive results, German physicians are using acupuncture more
and more to treat patients with backaches. With a incidence of 50%,
back pain is the main indication in all cases involving the use of acupuncture
against pain.
20
billion euros - a real pain for health insurance companies
Nearly every second German suffers from backaches. This makes this disorder
not only the number one medical problem in Germany, but also the main
reason people are unable to work. Of 100 employees in a company, on
average 15 are off from work each year due to conditions relating to
the spine. On average, the patients do not go to work for 22.7 days.
It is estimated that companies lose billions of dollars due to these
reductions in working hours alone. The expenditures of public and private
health insurance companies amounted to about 20 billion euros in 2001.
A majority of the costs were for painkillers, in many cases, with significant
negative side effects. The follow-up costs cannot be estimated.
Acupuncture - gentle remedy against pain
Acupuncture is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM). Through defined stimulation of certain parts of the body's surface,
the body's own regulation system and neuronal, vegetative and endocrine
control systems can be directly influenced. This is primarily achieved
through the stimulation of "Chi." According to TCM, Chi is the functional
energy which is the carrier of all main functions and information in
the body. Traditional body acupuncture recognizes about 360 acupuncture
points with which the therapist can induce effects from outside the
body. The points are arranged along channels, referred to as "meridians."
A total of 14 interconnected meridians create over the entire surface
of the human body a network through which energy flows. The aim of acupuncture
is to affect the flow of Chi energy by stimulating the points. Chi can
thereby be strengthened and blockages eliminated in order to alleviate
or eradicate pain.
Each point is responsible for treating a given symptom. Puncturing the
skin with a needle stimulates the receptors in the muscles, and thus
stimulates Chi. The needles remain in the tissue for a total of about
10 to 20 minutes. The needles are rotated if stimulation needs to be
intensified. It has even been noted that in many applications, the body
releases endorphins, i.e. its own painkillers. This means the brain
is not only able to cause a feeling of pain, it can also suppress pain
and the transmission of pain stimuli through endorphins. To treat backaches,
five to fifteen acupuncture sessions are generally required in order
to alleviate or eliminate the pain. In the case of chronic back pain,
over 30 sessions are usually needed. This procedure should then be repeated
after one year in order to ensure the treatment's long-term success.
This study was conducted by the University of Freiburg.
Reprinting free of charge if source is named.
Please send notice of reprinting to:
ACUPUNCTURE
FOUNDATION, Information Office
Eugen-Langen-Str.
25, 50968 Cologne, Germany
Tel: 0049 0221-30 99-562; Fax: 0049 0221-30 99-200
E-mail: presse@akupunktur.de
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