Neuro-Acupuncture
Neuro-acupuncture is an effective method of treatment for both acute and chronic central nervous system disorders.
It is a technique that integrates traditional Chinese acupuncture with the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of Western medicine. It involves Chinese scalp acupuncture, and helps to influence the functions of the central nervous system.
Our physiotherapist, April Leung, has been using neuro-acupuncture on both pediatric and adult clients with marked improvements. Neuro-acupuncture is commonly used to treat neurological conditions including but not limited to:
As of 2019, April became the first practitioner in British Columbia to receive certification for Comprehensive Training of Neuro-Acupuncture Level III through the Neuro-Acupuncture Institute.
Please contact Star Physiotherapy for more information.
It is a technique that integrates traditional Chinese acupuncture with the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of Western medicine. It involves Chinese scalp acupuncture, and helps to influence the functions of the central nervous system.
Our physiotherapist, April Leung, has been using neuro-acupuncture on both pediatric and adult clients with marked improvements. Neuro-acupuncture is commonly used to treat neurological conditions including but not limited to:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Down Syndrome
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (with gross motor delays)
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- Pain (i.e. Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Fibromyalgia)
- Neuropathy
- Gross motor delays
As of 2019, April became the first practitioner in British Columbia to receive certification for Comprehensive Training of Neuro-Acupuncture Level III through the Neuro-Acupuncture Institute.
Please contact Star Physiotherapy for more information.
Research Evidence
Cerebral Palsy
Li, L.X., Zhang, M.M., & He, J. (2018). Acupuncture for cerebral palsy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neural Regen Res, 13, 1107-17.
Jin, B., Liu, Z., Zhou, Y., & Zhang, M. (2016). Analysis on factors for effects of motor function of cerebral palsy children assisted by acupuncture-Retrospective analysis with 520 cases attached. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 36(7), 709-714. [Article in Chinese]
Novak, I., Morgan, C., Fahey, M., Finch-Edmondson, M., Galea, C., Hines, A., . . . Badawi, N. (2020). State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 20(2).
Zhang, M., & Liu, Z. (2018). Effects of acupuncture on muscle tension of lower limb in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 38(6), 591-5.
Li, L.Y., Liu, Z.H., & Xie, Q.L. (2014). Meta-analysis on scalp acupuncture based therapy in treating children cerebral palsy. World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, 24(3), 49-53.
Stroke
Lim, S.M., Yoo, J., Hyun, J.K., Shin, S., Han, G., & Ahn, H.S. (2014). Acupuncture for Spasticity after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 20(9): 672–682.
Qiu, Y.L. (2013). Clinical Observation on Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Rehabilitation Training for Hemiplegia After Stroke. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 11(4), 226-229.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lee, B., Lee, J., Cheon, J.H., Sung, H.K., Cho, S.H., & Chang, G.T. (2018). The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Warren, L.R., Rao, P.A., & Paton, D.C. (2017). A Pilot Observational Study of an Acupressure/Acupuncture Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Altern Complement Med, 23(11), 844-851.
•10 children, aged 3-10 years with ASD
•16 biweekly treatment sessions of acupressure and/or acupuncture
•Improved behavioral and regulatory function (self-report by parent)
Multiple Sclerosis
Foroughipour, M., Taghanaki, H.R.B., Saeidi, M., Khazaei, M., Sasannezhad, P., & Shoeibi, A. (2013). Amantadine and the place of acupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: an observational study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 31(1), 27–30.
Tajik, A., Dabiran, S., Prof, A.S., & Taghavi, P. (2012). Efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Isfahan Medical School, 30(202),1–7.
Li, L.X., Zhang, M.M., & He, J. (2018). Acupuncture for cerebral palsy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neural Regen Res, 13, 1107-17.
- 21 studies of a total of 1718 participants met the inclusion criteria
- Acupuncture plus rehabilitation training improved gross motor function, reduced muscle spasms, and enhanced daily life activities in children with cerebral palsy.
Jin, B., Liu, Z., Zhou, Y., & Zhang, M. (2016). Analysis on factors for effects of motor function of cerebral palsy children assisted by acupuncture-Retrospective analysis with 520 cases attached. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 36(7), 709-714. [Article in Chinese]
- Motor function of cerebral palsy children can be improved assisted by acupuncture, and the effect may be related to treating time, cerebral palsy type, gestational age, complication and age.
- 90 children with spastic CP aged 2-6 years old were divided into a yin-meridian group, yang-meridian group, and a rehabilitation group
Novak, I., Morgan, C., Fahey, M., Finch-Edmondson, M., Galea, C., Hines, A., . . . Badawi, N. (2020). State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 20(2).
- A systematic overview was conducted of best available evidence (2012–2019), appraising evidence using GRADE and the Evidence Alert Traffic Light System.
- Acupuncture has yellow traffic light color coding for gross motor function and muscle tone.
Zhang, M., & Liu, Z. (2018). Effects of acupuncture on muscle tension of lower limb in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 38(6), 591-5.
- Improved modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and clinical spasm index (CSI) (P<0.05, P<0.01)
- Significant improvement between rehabilitation group and yin-meridian group, yang-meridian group (P<0.05, P<0.01)
Li, L.Y., Liu, Z.H., & Xie, Q.L. (2014). Meta-analysis on scalp acupuncture based therapy in treating children cerebral palsy. World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, 24(3), 49-53.
- 234 articles retrieved, 7 articles included.
- Total effective rate in treatment group is 90.9% vs control group is 73.9% (17% difference).
Stroke
Lim, S.M., Yoo, J., Hyun, J.K., Shin, S., Han, G., & Ahn, H.S. (2014). Acupuncture for Spasticity after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 20(9): 672–682.
- 41 studies evaluated: 5 RCT accepted. 3 out of the 5 studies used electroacupuncture.
- 4 of the 5 studies found significant improvement in MAS.
- Meta-analysis result: significant decrease in spasticity (𝑃 < 0.001 , 𝑛 = 268)
Qiu, Y.L. (2013). Clinical Observation on Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Rehabilitation Training for Hemiplegia After Stroke. Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, 11(4), 226-229.
- 136 stroke patients were randomly divided into 3 groups ((1) scalp acupuncture & rehab training, (2) western medicine & rehab training, (3) western & chinese medicine).
- Group (1) had more statically significant change score in the change scores for consciousness, speech and limb functions.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lee, B., Lee, J., Cheon, J.H., Sung, H.K., Cho, S.H., & Chang, G.T. (2018). The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
- 27 RCT’s with 1736 participants were included
- Acupuncture complementary to behavioral and educational intervention significantly decreased the overall scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (MD -8.10, 95% CI -12.80 to -3.40) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (MD -8.92, 95% CI -11.29 to -6.54); however, it was unclear which of the ASD symptoms improved.
Warren, L.R., Rao, P.A., & Paton, D.C. (2017). A Pilot Observational Study of an Acupressure/Acupuncture Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Altern Complement Med, 23(11), 844-851.
•10 children, aged 3-10 years with ASD
•16 biweekly treatment sessions of acupressure and/or acupuncture
•Improved behavioral and regulatory function (self-report by parent)
Multiple Sclerosis
Foroughipour, M., Taghanaki, H.R.B., Saeidi, M., Khazaei, M., Sasannezhad, P., & Shoeibi, A. (2013). Amantadine and the place of acupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: an observational study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 31(1), 27–30.
- 20 amantadine resistant MS fatigue patients. 25% showed improvement based on Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).
Tajik, A., Dabiran, S., Prof, A.S., & Taghavi, P. (2012). Efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Isfahan Medical School, 30(202),1–7.
- 49 MS patient with chronic pain. Significant improvement in Oswestry Disability Index.