A study conducted by the leading TCM Hospital in China proves that both triple acupuncture therapy and regular meridian acupuncture therapy can improve the feeling function, movement function in chest lumbar spinal segments on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Named: Effect of Triple Acupuncture Therapy Combined with Rehabilitation Training on CGPR Content in Peripheral Blood, Motor Function and Activity of Daily Living of Spinal Cord Injury, the study shows that Triple Acupuncture Therapy has an important effect on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGPR) content, a key factor in nerve regeneration, in peripheral blood, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, ASIA sensory score, modified Barthel index (MBI) score of SCI patients in the early phase of treatment. And the CGPR Content in peripheral blood may be a potential protein for functional recovery for SCI patients


To observe the effect of Triple Acupuncture Therapy, 50 SCI patients meeting study criteria were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n=25) and a control group (n=25). Both groups received rehabilitation training; the treatment group was added with triple acupuncture therapy and the control group was added with regular meridians acupuncture therapy once a day and a month as a course. All patients received three courses of treatment. Besides, 25 healthy subjects were enrolled as a normal control group. It was found out that the CGRP content in two groups were lower significantly than that in the normal control group before treatment. However, after one month of treatment, the CGRP content in treatment group was higher significantly than that in the control group. After three months of treatment, the ASIA motor score and the ASIA feel score were significantly increased in both groups. After two months, three months of treatment, the MBI scales in the two groups were also increased significantly.


Often times, SCI patients were told by their western doctors to be content with their wheelchairs. It could have been worse. But I know deep in the heart of every one of them, there is a little voice asking “Can I do better?” or “Is there hope somewhere of the world?” The answer is YES !!! and the hope is in CHINA!!! Acupuncture has been practiced in China for over 4 thousand of years. Based on human experiments, its efficacy in treating spinal injuries has been proven. However, you need to make the decision and give yourself a chance to become your best.

Vivian

Today I stopped as I was taking my morning walk and considered that question? Did Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offer me hope? Part of me wanted to laugh and scoff at the question because I sought treatment back in 2004 and of course it was effective and I’m alive today because of it! But I had to remember how doubtful, fearful, and desperate I was before that.


In retrospect I remember clearly how frustrated I was at all of the individuals I sought answers from. These professionals had limited experience in seeing any complete recovery and as a result their advice was be content with what limited function I had gotten back.


I have learned that most physicians I speak with are very open minded but their advice, like that I received, is limited to their actual experience. As a result I often face an uphill battle when it comes to convincing individuals to give TCM a chance to prove itself. I spent years documenting successes but many individuals either doubt or question results and ask to speak with former clients.


Although this seems like a great idea, HIPPA regulations regarding patient confidentiality do not allow for this and those who agree to speak with others are often met with disbelief. In the end each individual must decide for themselves what they will do…. to remain as is… or seek TCM treatment abroad.


As for me I decided to not live in the world of regret and as such became the first American to seek treatment in Tianjin. I came in 2004, almost three years from my stroke and my husband of 30+ years says at that time he expected me to die within the next 2 years (2006). Well I got my life back after making that decision and now the person who was being pushed about in wheelchairs and sitting at home is in China walking 1 1/2 miles a day for exercise! I’m also learning that after years of daily western medication I can now control my blood pressure (see picture) with diet and exercise after using traditional Chinese medication for 4 months and balancing my body. Now I seek an annual visit with my TCM doctor here in China and leave my US doctor thrilled at my state of health. (Its not a miracle… it’s medicine!)

​Ruth
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