Institute: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Gerardo Hospital , Monza, Italy .

Author: Marra C, Pozzi I, Ceppi L, Sicuri M, Veneziano F, Regalia AL.

Journal: J Altern Complement Med.

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving perineal pain after mediolateral episiotomy during childbirth.

Design and subjects: Women with mediolateral episiotomy during delivery were enrolled in this study and were assigned to be treated or not with acupuncture. Outcomes measures: Perineal pain relieving effect of acupuncture was evaluated considering oral analgesics request during post-partum period and was the main outcome of this trial.

Results: A total of 42 women were enrolled in this trial. Twenty-one (21) women were treated with “wrist-ankle” acupuncture, inserting one needle in their right ankle. A second group of 21 women was not treated with acupuncture. Women in the acupuncture group were significantly less likely to experience pain; only 8 of them (38.1%) asked for analgesics. All women in the second group assumed oral analgesics because of perineal pain (p?<?0.01).

Conclusions: Wrist-ankle acupuncture during the postpartum period is effective for perineal pain relief after mediolateral episiotomy.

See: Clin J Pain. 2011 Mar-Apr;27(3):262-7.
The effect of auricular acupuncture on fentanyl requirement during hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Wetzel B, Pavlovic D, Kuse R, Gibb A, Merk H, Lehmann C, Wendt M, Usichenko TI.

Departments of *Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine †Orthopedic Surgery, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Although auricular acupuncture (AA) is suggested to be effective in treatment of pain, it has not yet been used for intraoperative analgesia. Therefore, we studied whether the AA reduces intraoperative analgesic requirement during total hip arthroplasty (THA).
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Acid reflux is a disorder often dealt with symptomatically by giving acid blocking medication. However they do not always relieve the issue and long term use of these drugs (more than 6 months) can have deleterious effects on our health. They can cause mineral deficiencies leading to osteoporosis and decreased digestion of proteins thereby causing a vitamin B12 deficiency. They can also cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut.  Sometimes what is diagnosed as GERD is actually a histamine intolerance. Read the rest of this entry

I am not a huge fan of the algae Spirulina. It has been questioned to potentially cause vitamin B12 deficiencies. From a Chinese Medicine perspective it would be good for someone that is robust as the Spirulina can be very cooling and cleansing. Read the rest of this entry