Acupuncture and Diabetes

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this study is to investigate in general terms what acupuncture is and how it works. Further, the writer examines to what extent these techniques can be used to treat diabetes and the conditions that contribute to its incidence among all age groups in the United States today. To this end, a critical review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the published peer-reviewed studies on acupuncture and related treatments such as acupressure for diabetes is conducted. Results are also summarized together with salient findings and recommendations for practitioners and policymakers alike.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope and Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Review of Related Literature
Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-gathering Method and Database of Study
Data Analysis
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper:

"Although acupuncture perhaps remains better described than understood in the mainstream Western literature, there is clear scientific evidence that acupuncture and analgesia are mediated by the release of endorphins; however, acupuncture can accomplish much more than analgesia in isolation and researchers believe that these techniques also release some of the other 60 or 70 active peptides available in the human body. Despite these findings, the evidence developed by Murray suggests that it remains premature to allow an opinion about the mechanism involved in how acupuncture actually works in the treatment of a given condition. Nevertheless, work it does and in many cases, acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of diabetes, and these issues are discussed further below in general and with regards to acupuncture in particular."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abuaisha, B. B., Costanzi, J. B., & Boulton, A. J. (1998). Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy: A long-term study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 39(2), 115-21.
• American Diabetes Association. (1999). Diabetes & exercise. Diabetes Care, 22 (Suppl. 1), S1- S11.
• ---. (1998). Economic consequences of diabetes mellitus in the U.S. in 1997. Diabetes Care, 21, 296-309.
• *Anderson, B. J., Manheimer, E. & Stein, M. D. (2003). Use and assessment of complementary and alternative therapies by intravenous drug users. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 29(2), 401.
• Apostolides, M., & Yunker, T. (1996, September-October). How to quit the holistic way. Psychology Today, 29(5), 34.

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