Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 6/5/2007

Question
Dear HEather,

I consider myself a person who believes in a formal system of logic, meaning that some proposition to be considered true in nature, must be proven so.
I honestly hope you undertand my question is not any sort of testing. The only thin I wish to clarify is this: Does acupuncture have any scientific verificability? Because I found that testimonials are not reliable since we may experience many things such empathy for the therapist, wishiful thinking, dificulty of evaluation on the pain level, results for other tratments used alongside acupuncture, etc...
Therefore i would like to kindly ask your reply on these:
a) Is there any study that validates the Qi theory? How can we prove there is such thing as Ki or Qi/Chi?
b) THe same as above for Xue, Jing Ye, triple heater, etc..
c) Do you consider acupunturists are "believers"? Meaning that many of acupuncture terminology and tools are fabrications and allegories such as yin/yang, five elements, etc.. myths or truth?
d) Does acupuncture work for minimizing pain or it works for other patologies?

I mean, in the end, what is the true behind acupuncture? Is there any scientific reliability? Should we believe on itīs fables? Or arent fables?

I know about world health organization, NIH, etc... A iknow about Felix Mannīs study. But this can be explained by some theory were needles makes the brain, cotex, talamus produces substances like neurotransmissors which can relieve pain. Thatīs it...

How we explain people willing to threat viral, bacterial infections? Tumors? Other diseases?

Answer
Hi Fabio,
I will try to answer you question to the best of my ability.  Many of my patients are looking for scientific evidence that acupuncture works.  There has been a lot of research done in China to that effect.  Unfortunately, there is not a appreciation for it or translation of it.  There have been study that show that brain chemistry changes during acupuncture treatments. And yes acupuncture increase neuro-transmitters.  That in it's self is something wouldn't you say.  

A very tiny needle inserted in the skin only mm's in the leg can do something that only powerful pharmaceuticals are able to do.

 Functional MRI's have been done while a patient is receiving acupuncture.  And there is a substantial change to brain chemistry during the session.  The statement where does Qi exist is like saying can I touch a sound wave. I believe that there are indirect ways of accessing qi.  Acupuncture points have different electrical conductivity that the rest of the skin. There are machines that measure the amount of conductance.

Xue is blood and I think that is pretty easily shown to exist and the therory of blood stagnation is very visible as varicosity of the veins.  Blood Deficiency has been shown thur testing for anemia. Jing also has a physical presentation as sperm among other things.  And it isn't a far leap that people who have overworked themselves and have burnt off all their jing qi are sterile or impotent. Ye is considered lymph or clear fluid, This system is shown in western medicine.  Triple warmer is a more complicated theory.  I am not sure what the latest studies are showing about it. Like I said I know that all of these theorys have been scientifically studied in China.

I am fortunate enough to have studied there. They have a wonderfully integrated system.  At least the hospital that I worked in did.  They started with acupuncture and worked there way up to pharmaceuticals and surgery. They had herbal I.V.'s in the E.R.  They did the treatment that worked the best and did they least amount of negative impact to the body.  Acupuncture was used most of the time.  We are not a cult of believers.  My background is in science.  

I believe in the Scientific method.  I also know there is more out there than meets the eye. There are a lot of phenomena that science can't explain.  For example they still don't know what mechanism makes flowers bloom.

I think 2000 years ago the doctors in China came up with a system that worked.  They used terms that they knew.  These terms can be somewhat translated, but over-all it is a paradigm that works independently to our western terminology.  These ancient people were treating things like diabetes successfully. And this medicine has lasted more than 2000 years there must be more than wishful thinking and placebo too it.  And being someone who has witnesses the power of the body to heal with acupuncture I can say that it is not smoke and mirrors. It is a formidable medicine. Acupuncture and TCM if a full spectrum medicine it can treat any thing from eczema to heart disease.

I was very rushed in writing this. I have a busy practice.  I hope I was able to help.

Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM