Acupuncture treatment has been found to be effective for neuropathy in many studies. Some of the causes of neuropathy studied are diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy induced neuropathy, as well as optic neuropathy.

Acupuncture provided dramatic improvement in diabetic neuropathy. Patients with medication alone saw only an 8% improvement in their neuropathy. After adding acupuncture to the treatment regimen, over 90% reported improvement. The neuropathy disability score also improved when acupuncture was added to the treatment regimen. The medication only group had a 37.45% success rate. The acupuncture neuropathy disability success rate jumped to over 90% after it was added. 1

A neurological examination followed by nerve conduction studies was quantified using the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS). The medication only faction scored no improvements in diabetic neuropathy according to these measurements thereby yielding a 0% success rate. The group receiving both acupuncture and medication, however, had over a 95% effective rate.

A new acupuncture study may set a new standard of care for how cancer patients are treated for chemotherapy induced neuropathy. A clinical trial in the UK found that 68% of patients saw improvement in neuropathy symptoms with acupuncture treatment.

Prof Wardley, consultant medical oncologist at The Christie, said he hoped the trial would “lead to a new standard of care for treating this condition, improving the lives of millions of patients”. The three-year study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research and the Manchester hospital’s charity. Researchers enrolled 120 patients, half of whom were offered weekly hour-long acupuncture sessions over a 10-week period. 2

Optic neuropathy can be caused by many factors such as injury, ischemia and autoimmune disease. One study showed that acupuncture improved visual acuity and light sensitivity while reducing defects of the visual field for patients with nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is a common form of neuropathy in those over 50 years of age, especially in those with hypertension and diabetes. Research was conducted by the Department of Ophthalmology at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The total effective rate for visual acuity improvement after 81.71% after 8 weeks of treatment. Mean light sensitivity improved from 17.47 dB prior to acupuncture to 20.34 dB after acupuncture treatment. Mean defect improved from 9.39 dB prior to acupuncture to 6.30 dB after acupuncture treatment. The average latency of the P100 wave also improved with acupuncture treatment. 

We have treated many patients for neuropathy at Healthpointe Acupuncture & Wellness, almost all have seen improvement in their symtpoms. Please schedule your free consultation. The only thing you have to lose is your pain!

1. Tanakornnuwat, Suwat, et al. “The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.” Journal of Thai Traditional & Alternative Medicine 10.3 (2013): 177-186.
2. http://oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/139/main-news/132115/christie-research-shows-acupuncture-helps-chemo-patients
3. Qin, Yali, Wei Yuan, Hui Deng, Zhanmei Xiang, Chao Yang, Xinyun Kou, Shufei Yang, Zhijun Wang, and Ming Jin. “Clinical efficacy observation of acupuncture treatment for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.”

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I have suffered from chronic sinusitis for over twenty years. I have been to numerous specialists, underwent surgery that was not successful and tried a number of various nontraditional treatments without relief. I had resigned myself to dealing with this condition as best I could, basically on my own. My most recent bout was lingering longer than usual even after my usual regimen of an oral steroid and antibiotic prescribed by my doctor. My wife suggested acupuncture and I was referred to Lisa Marie by a family member. At this point, I was up for anything! I met with Lisa and she was confidently optimistic that she could help me. After a month of bi- weekly sessions, the results are surprising. I no longer suffer from sinus headaches when I wake up in the morning, sinus pressure and congestion are gone and accompanying bronchial congestion is a thing of the past. I am optimistic that with continual treatment long term as Lisa has recommended, I will be over the hump. Lisa is a very knowledgeable, caring professional and someone that I trust and highly recommend.

AP – Rockville, MD

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After trying too many traditional western MDs and 3 other acupuncturists, whom I put all in the same category- treating the symptoms only, I was fortunate to find Lisa Marie Price. She was impressive from the start. From her website, to the initial evaluation and treatment plan, and with her convincing expertise in a “Wholistic” approach, she helped me turn my health around. With her help, I radically changed my diet, added nutritional supplements; received advice on exercise, qigong/tai chi, meditation, reflexology, EFT, and that’s not counting the expert acupuncture! Blood pressure- down; blood sugar- down; neurological symptoms- less; energy- up; clarity and sleep; up! She is an outstanding listener, researcher, and communicator. i now ‘believe’ in and expect great health for the rest of my life! Thank you, Lisa Marie

RL Gaithersburg, MD

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New research is also demonstrating that acupuncture for Parkinson’s Disease is effective.  Researchers from the surgery and neurology departments of the University of Arizona discovered acupuncture improves gait and balance disorders in Parkinson’s patients.  They measure improvements in overall balance, gait speed and stride length.  The results were published in Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.  Balance improved by 31%; gait speed by 10% and stride length by 5%.  There was no improvement in the control group.

In other research, Scientists at the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine discovered how acupuncture protects the parts of the brain damaged by Parkinson’s Disease and helps improve dopamine levels.  Acupuncture inhibits decreases of tyrosine hydroxylase in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.. Depletion of these neurons leads to Parkinson’s disease and acupuncture stimulation of acupoints GB34 and LV3 prevents depletion by sustaining tyrosine hydroxylase levels.

There is mounting evidence that oxidative stress plays a role in the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.  In another study, electro-acupuncture protected a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, where dopamine dysregulation causes Parkinson’s Disease.  Acupuncture had a protective effect through anxtioxidant and antipoptosis effects.

In addition, there are other studies that show that acupuncture helps patients with common Parkinson symptoms such as pain, mood disorder and insomnia and digestive issues.  We do a comprehensive treatment plan with all our patients.  Our experience is that when you combine acupuncture with dietary therapy, targeted supplements and mind-body medicine, people see exponentially better results.

We love working with Parkinsons’ patients.  Please call us at 240-780-9130 and schedule a free consult.

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Late summer is upon us, with its hot, muggy weather and heat-breaking afternoon thunderstorms. Late summer is considered one of the five major seasons in the East, according to the Five Element Theory. This ancient framework of interrelationships describes how we are influenced in mind-body-spirit by different aspects of Nature. In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we often look to Nature as a guide. All life—human, plant, animal, and Universal—are connected in the larger picture.

Late Summer is a transitional time–nature is undergoing its last burst of growth before harvest. The energy of Late Summer corresponds to the nurturing Earth element. So the next few weeks are an important time for self-nurturing and self-cultivation. This a powerful time for us to fully ripen and transform, using the last of summer’s bountiful energy.

How do these seasonal energies influence our physical well-being? Also associated with the Earth element, the Stomach and the Spleen resonate with Late Summer’s energetic vibration. You can easily assess whether your Stomach or Spleen are harmonizing with the seasonal energies of Late Summer. If this organ pair is low on energy, you may experience nausea, stomach flu, IBS, weight gain, blood sugar disorders, or low energy.

Try these tips to achieve a better state of Stomach and Spleen balance this season.

1. If you are experiencing digestive issues or feel fatigued, it is time to start moving away from the excess of raw/cold foods we tend to eat in summer.  Use the bountiful produce of the season in cooked stir fries and late summer soups.
2. Nurture Yourself: Shower yourself with positive thoughts and self-love.
3. Connect to Nature: We are often so busy in our daily routines that we lose sight of our deep connection to Nature and Spirit. Take some time each day to walk in Nature. Find something in Nature that captures your attention and study it intently. Recognize that everything in Nature is an energy being, just as you are. Let that connection flood your being.
4. Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Worry is the emotion that greatly impacts the function of the Stomach and Spleen. When you come to a worrisome situation, take a step back and breathe deeply. Ask Lisa Marie for help in developing a daily mind-body practice that works for you.

If you think we can be of help to you, schedule an appointment now!

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Osteoporosis is an growing problem, that can lead to increased pain and suffering, debility and bone fractures.  There is evidence that acupuncture for osteoporosis can be an effective treatment.  Unfortunately, there is little funding for acupuncture research at this time which means that no large-scale studies have been conducted.

In animal studies, research done at Chengdu University has proven that acupuncture increases bone metabolism in rats. This experiment had been carried out on female rats with lower estrogen levels that suffered from osteoporosis.

There have been several human studies on acupuncture for osteoporosis, and a 2010 meta-analysis indicates overall positive evidence that acupuncture increases bone formation in people with osteoporosis.  Of course, more large-scale studies are needed.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion demonstrates that acupuncture and herbs reduce pain, numbness, and dizziness while improving walking for patients with osteoporosis. Compared with a control group receiving only standard medical care, a group receiving standard care plus acupuncture and herbal medicine achieved significantly greater positive patient outcomes. There were also a greater increase in bone density in the group that received acupuncture and herbal medicine.

In another study conducted at First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, researchers compared acupuncture for osteoporosis with calcium supplementation, a common medical recommendation for the condition.  The researchers measure osteocalcin levels, performed DEXA scans for bone mineral density and used VAS scale to measure patient pain levels.  The acupuncture group outperformed the calcium supplementation group.

In the acupuncture group, there was a total effective rate of 90.10%. Mean bone mineral density increased from -2.50SD to 0.83SD, mean serum osteocalcin increased from 3.5mg/L to 6.2mg/L, and mean VAS scores dropped from 4.50 to 2.70 following treatment. The drop in VAS scores indicates reduced pain levels.  Calcium supplements also produced beneficial results. In the calcium supplementation group, there was a total effective rate of 80.22%. Mean bone mineral density increased from -2.80SD to 0.63SD following treatment, mean serum osteocalcin increased from 4.0mg/L to 5.2mg/L and mean VAS scores dropped from 4.23 to 3.41 following treatment.  Combining calcium supplementation with acupuncture treatment may produce increased benefits for those with osteoporosis.

In practice, acupuncturists will often recommend treatment with dietary therapy and Chinese herbal medicine for patients with osteoporosis.  Our experience is that this produces even better outcomes.  The herbal treatment will be targeted toward supporting bone formation by supporting the kidney function.  Emerging scientific evidence has confirmed the validity and identified the molecular mechanisms of many ancient TCM theories. One example is the concept of “Kidneys Govern Bone Formation.”  Discoveries since 2000 have identified a new bone-kidney endocrine axis. Based on the bone-secreted FGF23 and kidney-expressed Klotho, it plays a crucial role in calcium-phosphate metabolism and vitamin D regulation. To read more on this fascinating discussion of the bone-kidney endocrine axis, click here.

Overall, osteoporosis patients can expect that acupuncture will help improve function; decrease pain levels; and perhaps–as these studies indicate–improve bone mineral density.  Patients should also consider Chinese dietary therapy and Chinese herbal medicine as a way to improve outcomes.

If you think we can be of help to you, schedule an appointment now!

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LH Rockville, MD

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For many though, meditation is really challenging and uncomfortable.  That’s one reason why I really love helping patients find the practices that they enjoy so it’s easier to create a daily practice. A lot of people assume they have to meditate for long periods, but the truth is even brief intervals of bringing a sense of mindfulness and relaxation into your day are helpful.  But what do you do when you want to meditate but can’t get relaxed enough or find a practice that works for you?

I have found some free meditation apps that make a huge difference.  They will expose you to different meditative techniques and approaches, so you can find one that resonates with you.  They will also help you set goals, track your progress, and connect with other meditators locally and internationally.

Insight Timer 

Nearly 409,000 meditation experiences were recorded in my app today and it is only 9am as I write this.  Insight Timer is, I believe, the largest community of meditators on the planet.  There are so many things to love about this app.  Free guided meditations, meditation classes, meditation music and talks by meditations teachers are added every day.  The meditative music and guided meditations are particularly helpful for people who have a hard time relaxing or focusing on their own.  There is also a timer that allows you to create your own meditations with interval bells, ambient sound and duration times.  The app will record your daily sessions which gives you a sense of accomplishment.  There are also forums on the app that allow you to connect with other meditators from around the world on different topics.

Verdict: This is a life-changing app!

Lotus Bud

Some of you may have heard my Lotus Bud MIndfulness app while you are at my office.  This app will ring bells at random times during the day and remind you to breathe, to pay attention to your posture, to practice relaxation.  When this app rings I often find myself hunched over the keyboard and it reminds me to straighten up, take some deep breaths, and bring a feeling of love into my heart.  Lotus Bud also has a meditation timer which is a great app as well.

Verdict:  Highly recommended for mindfulness practice

If you think we can be of help to you in your mind-body practice, schedule an appointment now!

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I recommended my husband see her for his Plantar Fasciitis – he was skeptical as he was told by his specialists that he was just going to have to “live with it.” He was given a walking boot and exercises. It was really curtailing our love of walking and exercise. Again, after a few short visits, he no longer had the pain. It has now been several months and he no longer experiences the pain he once did.

Over the past 5 years, due to stress and work changes, I have woken up every night at 3 am. I finally had to see a doctor and resort to prescribed medication – something I fought not to do. I wasn’t happy that I have been on these meds for 3 years – as I know they are highly addictive. Finding a solution has proven to be more challenging, but Lisa kept researching and recommending different herbal remedies (as well as acupuncture) to help me get off the meds and get a good nights sleep. #3 remedy seemed to do the trick and I’ve slept solid for the past two weeks straight – a miracle! I would highly recommend going to Healthpointe. Lisa is a good listener, very knowledgeable, and very interested in helping one lead a healthier life.

E.S. Washington, DC

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Let Us Check Your Insurance!

We are happy to check your coverage for you. Just give Heidi a call at (240) 780-9130 or submit your information online when scheduling a free consultation here.

We offer a free consultation to all new patients, so we can review your benefits information and answer any questions before getting started.

Coverage Details

Insurance plans vary widely in their coverage.  Sometimes there is a limit to the number of visits you qualify for, other times there are unlimited visits as long as the treatment is medically necessary.  Certain plans may require pre-authorization or a referral for visits, while other plans do not. Pain conditions are often covered, but some insurance plans cover fertility, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, insomnia, anxiety, and other internal medicine complaints.  Certain insurance companies limit their coverage to very specific diagnostic codes.  This is why we need to verify your benefits prior to your initial treatment.

We do our best to answer your insurance questions and provide you with accurate information.

Call us now at (240) 780-9130 so we can check your benefits

–and schedule your free consultation.

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