ACUPUNCTURE SWITCHES OFF BRAIN PAIN CENTERS. Leading scientists from University College London, Southampton University and the University of York, found with Acupuncture needling, the limbic system, part of the pain matrix, is deactivated. "We have found something quite unexpected - that acupuncture is having a measurable effect on the human brain” Professor Sykes said.  BBC NEWS 21-1-2006

Jennifer Aniston turned heads when she attended the premiere of her latest movie with marks of Chinese Medicine Cupping on her back. Cupping is often used as an adjunct for Acupuncture to increase circulation. . Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson and David Arquette are among stars who have also reportedly had Cupping and Acupuncture.
The actress' reps told ABC News that the marks are likely the result of cupping, an ancient therapy thought to relieve tension and improve circulation. According to experts, the suction of the cups causes the blood vessels to dilate and open and allow the blood to flow.

Lieutenant General David Fridovich former deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command says to “be open to acupuncture” – “when it comes to dealing with pain Western medicine doesent have all the answers” he said.

"Painkillers are good for two weeks to about six weeks. Then you have to come off of them," he said. "If not, part of your brain gets re-wired chemically. Well, I was on painkillers from May 2006 until February 2008." Years of physical activity, training, and deployments-including several hundred parachute jumps-left him unable to use his left leg due to acute neurological and skeletal damage. He was in command of Special Operations in the Pacific at the time. Experiencing severe, chronic back pain because of these work-related activities, he sought relief from prescribed medication, including the opioids Oxycontin and Roxicet.
I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I was just in pain," Fridovich said. "What you find out is, the more you use, the less they work. You get saturated."
For nearly five years, the Green Beret general quietly had been hooked on narcotics he has taken for chronic pain — a reflection of an addiction problem that is spreading across the military.

USA TODAY  newspaper reported An internal Army investigation report revealed that 25% to 35% of about 10,000 soldiers assigned to special units for the wounded, ill or injured are addicted to or dependent on drugs, according to their nurses and case managers. Doctors in those care units told investigators they need training in other ways to manage pain besides only using narcotics.

NBA SUPER STAR MARTELL WEBSTER  told Washington Post "I am sold on Acupuncture". "I have Acupuncture before each game". “I have that ab strain going on, and I need to get some relief,” he explained. Acupuncture relieves some tension.”

Webster said he does it before every game, and that he’s sold on the technique.

“Training isn’t just muscles and lifting weights,” he said. “Sometimes you need to relax. You need to try it.”

KIM KARDASHIAN posted on Tweeter "Oh Just Relaxin" with a photo of Facial Acupuncture with a number of Acupuncture needles. Acupuncture is well known for Relaxation and Facial Rejuvenation. http://www.facebook.com/KimKardashian

ACUPUNCTURE SPECIAL FOR KNEE PROBLEMS … Current findings of 14 controlled clinical trials with approx 4000  patients shows “acupuncture gave remarkably better results than normal standard medical care”, or not receiving any treatment at all (waiting and hoping for pain to go away, or for treatment to become available.) . Researchers said “ ACUPUNCTURE is better at relieving pain and restoring function than standard biomedical care”

Olympic Gold Medal Favorite has Acupuncture. LONDON – New York Times reported that McKayla Maroney, the 16-year-old defending world vault champion from Long Beach, Calif., favorite to win the gold medal in the vault, is having acupuncture for pain from an injured foot.

Ann Romney, wife of Mitt Romney (republican presidential candidate) credits Acupuncture, Acupressure, yoga and horseriding with helping her cope with the dreaded disease, multiple sclerosis,MS.

Mrs Romney has taken up alternative remedies that soothe her immune system, including ACUPUNCTURE and ACUPRESSURE."There is huge merit in both Eastern and Western medicine, and I've taken a some from both." she said.

Mrs Romney also took medications and although they were effective, she chose to stop them due to the side-effects she experienced. She says the alternatives have worked better at helping her manage her symptoms. Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease that can cause muscle rigidity, pain, exhaustion, cognitive difficulties and paralysis.

Ann Romney leads an active life as a result of the therapies including ACUPUNCTURE and ACUPRESSURE, she has chosen.
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Dr. Howard Weiner, who runs the MS center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston said Mrs Romney's remission could hold a clue to more effective treatment for other MS sufferers.

New studies show that acupuncture reduces anxiety in women undergoing IVF. A randomized-controlled study of  women undergoing IVF measured changes in anxiety levels. A total of four acupuncture treatments over a period of four weeks at a rate of once per week were administered. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at acupoints Yintang, HT7 (Shenmen), PC6 (Neiguan), CV17 (Shanzhong) and DU20 (Baihui). The acupuncture patients showed a significant reduction in anxiety. It was concluded that acupuncture reduces anxiety and psychological strain for women undergoing IVF.