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News Stories on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Acupuncture in the Military and on the Battlefield
Acupuncture is beginning to be used by military physicians to treat pain in wounded so
ldiers. At the same time, active duty military and veterans are using acupuncture to deal with stress after returning from duty.The Air Force has just announced that physicians being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan will be trained in acupuncture.While 15 percent of those treated do not respond to the acupuncture, the remainder of the people treated often note an average of 75 percent reduction in pain levels.
For more on this story, see:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31917
http://whyy.org/cms/news/health-science/2009/07/08/healing-with-acupuncture/11709
Acupuncture Treats Dry Mouth in Cancer Treatments
A new preliminary study done by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was featured in
a recent online issue of Head & Neck. The study found that twice-weekly acupuncture treatments was able to relieve the symptoms of xerostomia (dry mouth), a condition that often occurs in patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancers.
The study size was small, but patients noted a significant improvement in symptoms of dry mouth, mouth discomfort, and difficulty with speaking and eating. A larger, placebo-controlled trial is being planned.
For more on this story, see:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702232
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420151232.htm
Reducing Cholesterol with Red Yeast Rice
A new double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study by two Philadelphia area cardiologists finds 
that red yeast rice, a Chinese herb, can lower cholesterol. The findings of the study are featured in the June 16, 2009 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.
The study found that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and that total cholesterol scores improved in those taking the red yeast rice. The study was completed with the aim of finding an alternative for patients who experience side effects from statin drug therapy.
For more on this story, see:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155270.php
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS162155+23-Jun-2009+BW20090623