Birmingham Chinese Medicine Clinic

13/05/2020

Mechanisms underlying the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine on febrile disease -Part 1
http://epidemic.tcmlive.com/zh/common/article/detail/139

17/04/2020

How do Chinese herbs treat COVID-19?
There are numerous media stories which state how the coronavirus is being treated in mainland China with a combination of pharmaceutical drugs and Chinese herbal medicines, which has proven to be very successful. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used in 85-90% of COVID-19 cases. This can be seen in the low death rate and virus infected rate when compared to other countries that don't use Chinese herbal medicine, such as Italy.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment strategy used to treat the coronavirus with Chinese medicine is similar to that used to treat the SARS out-break. Herbs that boost the person's defensive wei qi (immune system) are combined with other herbs that are used to treat respiratory disorders such as ma huang have proved effective in treating covid-19 patients in Hubei province, China. There are several Chinese medical formulas that have been used by the Hubei Province Integrated Chinese\Western Medicine Hospital in China.
During Italy's COVID-19 outbreak, China donated medical supplies including 100,000 boxes of the herbal formula Lian Hua Qing Wen.
How the Chinese government beat the coronavirus
The Chinese government's president Xi Jinping supports the use of Chinese herbal medicine in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The video below explains how Chinese herbs played an important role in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China by treating patients with mild symptoms early became they become worse, which can increase admissions to hospital.
https://youtu.be/OOJqHPfG7pA

Clinical trials
Currently, traditional Chinese medicine is leading the way in the number of clinical trials to treat COVID-19 with 102 trials according to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These studies show that Chinese herbs can play an


Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Patients Infected with 2019-New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A Review and Perspective
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7098036/


There are several Chinese herbal remedies that were used in front-line hospitals in Wuhan, China. They include:


Lian Hua Qing Wen Concentrated herbal powder 100g/bottle 7-10 days）
Main Ingredients: Forsythia suspensa, Honeysuckle flower, Baked bitter almonds, Indigo woad root, Houttuynia cordata, etc..
Dosage: 5 grams each time, 2 to 3 times a day. Dissolve in boiling water, drink when warm.



Qing Fei Jie Du Concentrated herbal powder 100g/bottle （7-10 days）
Main Ingredients: Cassia twig, Alisma, Polyporus umbellatus, Asters, etc..
Dosage: 5 grams each time, 2 to 3 times a day. Dissolve in boiling water, drink when warm.



Hua Shi Bai Du Concentrated herbal powder 100g/bottle （7-10 days）
Main Ingredients: Agastache rugosa, Magnolia, Rhizoma atractylodis, Pinellia, etc..
Dosage: 5 grams each time, 2 to 3 times a day. Dissolve in boiling water, drink when warm.


Preventative formula 14 bags * 4gram/bag ( for 7 days)

Main Ingredients: Astragalus, Rhizoma atractylodis, Reed root, Honeysuckle flower, Mulberry leaves, etc..
Dosage: 1 bag each time, 2 times a day. Dissolve in boiling water, drink when warm.

We offer free video consultation for advice and guidance in how to administer the use of the above herbal remedies.


Please note that this webpage is for information purposes only. I do not lay claim to be able to treat COVID-19.

After being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, it can take as few as two and as many as 14 days for symptoms to develop. Cases range from mild to cri...

08/04/2020

Combat COVID19, Order face masks at http://birminghamchinesemedicine.com/covid-19/

29/11/2019

Acupuncture[a] is a form of alternative medicine[3] and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body.[4] Acupuncture is a pseudoscience[5][6] because the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientific knowledge, and it has been characterized as quackery.[7] There is a range of acupuncture variants which originated in different philosophies,[8] and techniques vary depending on the country in which it is performed.[9] It is most often used to attempt pain relief,[10][11] though it is also recommended by acupuncturists for a wide range of other conditions. Acupuncture is generally used only in combination with other forms of treatment.[12]

The conclusions of numerous trials and systematic reviews of acupuncture are inconsistent, which suggests that it is not effective.[10][13] An overview of Cochrane reviews found that acupuncture is not effective for a wide range of conditions.[13] A systematic review conducted by medical scientists at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth found little evidence of acupuncture's effectiveness in treating pain.[10] Overall, the evidence suggests that short-term treatment with acupuncture does not produce long-term benefits.[14] Some research results suggest that acupuncture can alleviate some forms of pain, though the majority of research suggests that acupuncture's apparent effects are not caused by the treatment itself.[9] A systematic review concluded that the analgesic effect of acupuncture seemed to lack clinical relevance and could not be clearly distinguished from bias.[15] One meta-analysis found that acupuncture for chronic low back pain was cost-effective as an adjunct to standard care,[16] while a separate systematic review found insufficient evidence for the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic low back pain.[17]

Acupuncture is generally safe when done by appropriately trained practitioners using clean needle technique and single-use needles.[18][19] When properly delivered, it has a low rate of mostly minor adverse effects.[4][18] Accidents and infections do occur, though, and are associated with neglect on the part of the practitioner, particularly in the application of sterile techniques.[10][19] A review conducted in 2013 stated that reports of infection transmission increased significantly in the preceding decade.[20] The most frequently reported adverse events were pneumothorax and infections.[10] Since serious adverse events continue to be reported, it is recommended that acupuncturists be trained sufficiently to reduce the risk.[10]

Scientific investigation has not found any histological or physiological evidence for traditional Chinese concepts such as qi, meridians, and acupuncture points,[n 1][24] and many modern practitioners no longer support the existence of life force energy (qi) or meridians, which was a major part of early belief systems.[8][25][26] Acupuncture is believed to have originated around 100 BC in China, around the time The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing) was published,[27] though some experts suggest it could have been practiced earlier.[9] Over time, conflicting claims and belief systems emerged about the effect of lunar, celestial and earthly cycles, yin and yang energies, and a body's "rhythm" on the effectiveness of treatment.[28] Acupuncture fluctuated in popularity in China due to changes in the country's political leadership and the preferential use of rationalism or Western medicine.[27] Acupuncture spread first to Korea in the 6th century AD, then to Japan through medical missionaries,[29] and then to Europe, beginning with France.[27] In the 20th century, as it spread to the United States and Western countries, spiritual elements of acupuncture that conflict with Western beliefs were sometimes abandoned in favor of simply tapping needles into acupuncture points.[27][30][31]

15/10/2018

Acupuncture for Back Pain

Nearly 8 out of every 10 people will have low back pain at some point in life. Back pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical treatment. It is also the No. 1 reported reason for seeking acupuncture. The good news is chronic low back pain is one of the conditions that research suggests acupuncture may be an effective tool for treating.

One recent review of 22 acupuncture studies showed that it provided short-term relief from chronic back pain. It also showed there was greater improvement in pain for people who got acupuncture compared to those who received a “sham” treatment. Other studies have found, though, that sham acupuncture can be as effective as actual acupuncture. Those studies also found that, compared to standard treatment, both actual acupuncture and sham acupuncture are more effective.

Guidelines from the American Pain Society and American College of Physicians say doctors should consider acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with chronic low-back pain that's not helped by conventional treatment.

How Acupuncture Appears to Help Back Pain
Acupuncture began in China more than 2,500 years ago. It involves inserting thin needles at certain points on the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body has more than 2,000 of these points. They are connected by pathways or meridians, which create a flow of energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). Stimulating these points is said to correct the imbalance of qi and improve the flow of energy. Practitioners believe that this helps relieve pain and improve health.

It's thought the effects come from stimulating the central nervous system. This may trigger the release of chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either alter the experience of pain or produce bodily changes that promote a sense of well-being.

Other theories suggest acupuncture works by:

Speeding the relay of electromagnetic signals. This may begin the flow of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins. Or it may release immune system cells in the body.
Triggering the release of natural opioids. These are chemicals in the brain that may lessen pain or promote sleep.
Changing brain chemistry by altering the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Neurotransmitters either stimulate or dampen nerve impulses. Neurohormones can affect the function or activity of an organ in the body.

12/04/2018

Acupuncture for awaking coma due to brain injury of car accident: A 50+ man suffered from a brain injury coma of car accident for three weeks. I was invited by his daughter. After a lots of discussion and communications with the NHS hospital, signed many documents, sent certificates, qualification, insurance, CV etc, I was allowed to treat him in the Neuroscience ward from three weeks ago. The main treatment are Du mai Dao-Qi technique, Awake brain, Scalp acupuncture plus electric. The points are Du26, Ren23, Yintang, Du24, Du20, Motor area, Sensory area, Lu5, SJ5 to PC6, LI4 to SI3, ST36, Sp6, Lv3, Ki1. After ten sessions every other days treatment, His GCS from 6 to 11, The remarkable sign was happened yesterday he raised his left hand to find the needle on Du26 Renzhong, holder it and took it off himself. His daughters and myself were all validated it, he has been waking up!

28/12/2017

Acupuncture for Depression Q&A (2)
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Q: Why acupuncture can treat depression?
A: Acupuncture has practiced more than two thousand years in China and hundreds of years in the western. Acupuncture can be a very effective alternative to treat depression, anxiety, stress-induced fatigue and emotions swings resulting in long-term benefits.
Since the early eighties, studies around the globe have suggested that treating depression with acupuncture has a positive and holistic effect on depressed patients. Acupuncture treating depression has the benefits included to improve the efficacy, quick onset and reduce the side-effects.
Many researches have indicated acupuncture combined with antidepressant could quick launch the clinical effect, even from the first week of treatment. (Acupuncture in Medicine 2014,http://aim.bmj.com/content/32/4/308).
Q: What’s the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for depression?
A: The most commonly accepted mechanism of acupuncture treatment for depression is acupuncture, sometimes combined with antidepressant, can increase the serotonin levels in the brain. There are other thoughts of mechanism as well.
From the aspect of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, sometimes combined with Chinese herbal medicine, can relax the mind, increase the brain blood supply, regulate the brain spirit disorder, and holistically balance the body systems.
Q: When and how to reduce the antidepressant when treatment combined with acupuncture?
A: Many researches have indicated acupuncture combined with antidepressant could quick launch the clinical effect, even from the first week of treatment, and can reduce the side-effects of antidepressant, etc. When the patient noticed improvement, and stabilise for 4-6 weeks, it is the good time to gradually reduce the dose of antidepressant, until stop it after 3-6 months. We should notice we are not register medical doctors in the UK, we’d better do not suggest the patient to reduce or even stop antidepressant, but advice the patient to ask their doctors. Most of the doctors are happy to see the improvement of the depression patients and agree to reduce the dose of antidepressant if request.
Q: How long will acupuncture take to improve depression?
A: It depends on person to person. Generically speaking, most patients will notice a difference around the 5 session, some of them even feel better from the first session. For a major depression, not just a stress, most patients will take 20-30 sessions, or 3-6 months, to recovery.
Q: How frequently of the acupuncture treatment do I need to take?
A: Patients are mostly suggested that the best frequency is: 2-3 times per week for the first 3-5 weeks, then once per week for 4-5 weeks, followed by once per month even once 2-3 months for maintenance.
The more frequency acupuncture treatments you have in the early stage, will hasten the start of clinical affection, with or without antidepressant.
Q: What’s development of acupuncture treatment for depression?
A: Acupuncture treatment for depression has the history of more than thousands of years, it is still on developing. One of the developing areas is emphasize the role of brain in the treatment of emotional conditions such depression. Clinically, acupuncture treatment plan for depression are more focus on the points around head and more use of scalp acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture.
Q: What’s the benefit of scalp acupuncture for depression?
A: Scalp acupuncture is one of the modern acupuncture techniques which combined with traditional acupuncture technique and neurological knowledge, particularly the knowledge of brain. Scalp acupuncture stimulate the disease related areas on the head and generate the corresponded brain area’s reaction. It is mostly used on the treatment of neurologic and psychologic conditions and some other brain related conditions. Depression is one of the key conditions that Scalp acupuncture study and clinical application. Scalp acupuncture can directly stimulate the relevant brain area to achieve straightway and effectiveness affection.
Q: What’s the benefit of abdominal acupuncture for depression?
A: Abdominal acupuncture is based on traditional acupuncture theory and the new understanding of ShenQue (RN8) system. Most of abdominal acupuncture points are traditional acupuncture points but with new developing indications, such as RN12 for head and brain. The abdominal is called “the second brain” by some scientists due to its closed related to the brain for its secretion of serotonin etc. Clinically abdominal acupuncture is quite often used together with scalp acupuncture, called “double brain therapy”. Another benefit of abdominal acupuncture is much less pain or sensation than other acupuncture techniques.
Note: Above Acupuncture for Depression Q&A is based on the requests of colleagues on the understanding of depression and how to answer the questions from depression patients. It is not an academic paper so only use plain words.
Dr. Tian-Jun Wang, Professor, PhD (www.tjacupuncture.co.uk). Last updated 24/12/2017. Comments and feedbacks are welcome and thanks.

TJ Chinese acupuncture clinic Ilford Ess*x, with Dr Tianjun Wang.

27/12/2017

Acupuncture for Depression Q&A
Q: What is depression?
A: Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or poor appetite, low energy, and poor concentration, etc. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities, in the worst depression can lead to su***de.
Q: What’s the major causes of depression?
A: There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers.
For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause.
Some of the potential triggers of depression are: Stressful events, Personality, Family history, Giving birth, Loneliness, Alcohol and drugs, Illness, etc.
Different causes can often combine to trigger depression. For example, you may feel low after being ill and then experience a traumatic event, such as a bereavement,
which brings on depression.
People often talk about a "downward spiral" of events that leads to depression. For example, if your relationship with your partner breaks down, you're likely to feel low, you may stop seeing friends and family and you may start drinking more. All of this can make you feel worse and
trigger depression.
Some studies have also suggested that you're more likely to get depression as you get older, and that it's more common in people who live in difficult social and economic circumstances.
(http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/D epression/Pages/Causes.aspx)
Q: What’s the mechanism of depression?
A: There are many brain areas involved in depression patients, and various theories about the mechanism of depression. The most commonly recognised mechanism is monoamines. Many antidepressant drugs increase synaptic levels of the monoamine neurotransmitter, serotonin, but they may also enhance the levels of two other neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine.
Q: What’s the major western medicine treatmentsfor depression?
A: Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy
Q: What’s the major antidepressant?
A: The antidepressant is one of the major treatments for depression, represented by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), it can increase the serotonin level in the brain. SSRIs are mostly effective antidepressants, but still not satisfactory as many unresponsive patients, undesirable side effects and delayed onsets.
Q: What’s mechanism of SSRIs for depression?
A: It's thought that SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a messenger chemical that carries signals between nerve cells in the brain). It's thought to have a good influence on mood, emotion and sleep.
After carrying a message, serotonin is usually reabsorbed by the nerve cells (known as "reuptake"). SSRIs work by blocking ("inhibiting")
reuptake, meaning more serotonin is available to
pass further messages between nearby nerve cells.
A rise in serotonin levels can improve symptoms and make people more responsive to other types of treatment, such as CBT.
Q: What is CBT?
A: CBT, Cognitive behavioural therapy, is a talking therapy that can help patients manage their problems by changing the way their think and behave.
It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.
CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.
CBT aims to help you deal
with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. You're shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.
Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.
CBT can be as effective as medication in treating some mental health problems, but it may not be successful or suitable for everyone
Q: What are the commonly used SSRIs antidepressants?
A: the commonly used SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and their normal dosages are as below:
· Fluoxetine (Prozac): 20mg- 60mg per day.
· Citalopram (Celexa): 20mg- 60mg per day
· Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex): 10mg-20mg per day
· Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat): 20mg-50mg per day
· Fluvoxamine (Luvox): 50mg- 300mg per day
· Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral): 50mg-200mg per day
Q: What’s the commonly seen side-effects of antidepressants? A: The side effects of antidepressants can cause problems at first, but then generally improve with time. There are some patients may suffer these side effects alongside through the all process.
· feeling agitated,
· shaky or anxious,
· feeling and being sick
· indigestion and stomach aches
· diarrhoea or constipation
· loss of appetite
· dizziness
· not sleeping well (insomnia), or feeling very sleepy
· headaches
· low s*x drive
· difficulties achieving or**sm
during s*x or ma********on
· in men, difficulties obtaining
or maintaining an er****on (erectile dysfunction)