April 2006 [Volume 5, Issue 4]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Acupuncture Relieves Pain Caused by Lower Jaw Problems
• Herb of the Month - Torreya Seed (fei zi)
• Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights From the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

Many people suffer from temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which may be caused by problems with the temporomandibular joint, the mandible (or lower jaw), or the muscles that attach the mandible to the temporal bone of the skull. Although the exact number of people who suffer from TMD is unknown, the National Institute of Dental Research estimates that the condition usually occurs in people between the ages of 20 and 40, and that it manifests in women about twice as often as men. A new study has found that acupuncture may be particularly useful in the treatment of TMD, producing dramatic decreases in pain after only a few treatment sessions.

In the study, researchers in Great Britain reviewed the case reports of 60 dental patients who were treated with acupuncture to relieve the symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction. Patients received an average of 3.4 treatments, with each treatment lasting an average of 12 minutes. Different acupoints were used depending on the location of pain, with most points located over the temporomandibular joint and in the masticatory muscles.

Of the 60 patients who received acupuncture, 51 reported a "beneficial effect" from treatment. Prior to the first treatment session, the average pain score per patient was 7.35 (out of 10). After receiving acupuncture, the average pain score decreased by almost five points per patient, to 2.67. Based on the results, the researchers concluded that acupuncture is "a simple, relatively safe and potentially efficacious and useful technique in the management of temporomandibular dysfunction."

Torreya seeds come from the torreya, a type of evergreen tree found throughout China, Japan, and some parts of North America. The tree produces a large, globular fruit, which contains a single large seed.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, torreya seeds have sweet and neutral properties, and are associated with the Lung, Large Intestine and Small Intestine meridians. Torreya seeds are used to kill intestinal parasites such as hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms, and to treat indigestion and other digestive disorders. While they can be consumed alone, torreya seeds often are used with other herbs, such as areca seed, quisqualis and basket fern.

The typical dosage of torreya seed is between 30-50 grams per day, consumed with water as a decoction. If being used in a decoction, raw torreya seeds should be utilized; the seeds should be crushed prior to cooking. Whole, dried torreya seed can be found at some herbal shops, along with torreya pills, capsules and powders.

At present, there are no known side effects or drug interactions associated with torreya seeds. As always, however, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking torreya seed or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral.

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and receive responses from a licensed acupuncturist. Here are a few of this month's questions and answers:

Question #1: Do you consider acupuncture/Chinese herbal medicine applicable in cases of postpartum depression? Do you know whether it is being done often, and what the success rate is?

Answer: Yes, TCM has several treatments and solutions for postpartum depression. Some treatments are quite ancient. Acupuncture is one, but also Chinese herbal medicines. Dietary therapy is also effective, as are movement and other exercises. As you can see, there are several modalities of treatment that can be used, depending on the needs of the individual patient. Treatment is tailored to the individual patient, but results are generally successful. If the patient is able to be monitored and treated during pregnancy, this condition rarely occurs, because the imbalance that creates it can be prevented.

Question #2: I have had headaches all my life on a consistent basis. I prefer not to be on a daily medication for them, so I am interested in acupuncture. In order for acupuncture to work for me for these headaches, do I have to have it done while I am having a headache, or can it be done before or after one to maybe prevent me from getting another one?

Answer: Acupuncture treatment does both. If you have a treatment while you are having a headache, it will decrease the symptoms you are feeling, and possibly abort the headache. The cumulative effect of several or many treatments is to reduce the severity and the frequency of the headaches, and in some cases, to prevent them.

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Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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