by Sherry Baker

A study just reported in the online issue of the journal Head and Neck adds to the growing body of evidence that the ancient healing technique known as acupuncture isn't some kind of hocus pocus quackery that only works via the placebo effect. Researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that weekly acupuncture treatments twice a week relieved symptoms of a condition called xerostomia...

Editor's Note from Kirsten van Nostran: Radiation treatment can be difficult on cancer patients. Acupuncture can help ease symptoms of dry mouth and improve appetite.

Acupuncture/TCM

by Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH

Twelve head and neck cancer patients developed xerostomia secondary to radiotherapy. In most cases, this was refractory to conventional pilocarpine therapy. Acupuncture was offered as a potential palliation of their symptoms. Acupuncture stimulated saliva secretion to varying degrees....

Editor’s Note: Dr. Niemtzow is a military physician practicing acupuncture full-time at the Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. As the head consultant of the Alternative and Complementary Medicine to the Air Force Surgeon General, he uses evidence based research outcomes to validate the use of Acupuncture for treating such conditions as: complex regional pain, xerostomia (dry mouth), and xerophthalmia (dry eyes)...

Acupuncture/TCM