Wikipedia Has It Out for Acupuncture

Ever Googled “acupuncture”? Here’s one of the first descriptions you’ll see about it in the search results, which is a snippet from the Wikipedia article on acupuncture:

The two negative (*ahem*, biased) words that catch my eye are pseudoscience and quackery.

The debate over Wikipedia’s portrayal of acupuncture has been going on since at least 2017, which you can see in the Observer article There’s a Major War Brewing Over the Acupuncture Wikipedia Page.

The article discusses the criticisms that Wikipedia’s labels of the acupuncture are not only misleading, but are also in violation of Wikipedia's commitment to maintaining a neutral point of view. The controversy centers on the inclusion of a statement on the acupuncture page that dismisses the practice as unscientific, which many believe to be an unfair representation of the extensive research and widespread acceptance acupuncture has garnered worldwide.

In response to the controversy back in 2017, the Acupuncture Now Foundation initiated a Change.org petition that has now since closed but gathered only around 5,000 signatures. The petition’s goal was to persuade Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales to reevaluate and revise the acupuncture page to reflect a more balanced view.

Despite acupuncture’s nearly decade-long (or longer?) smear campaign by Wikipedia and others, the search volume for the term has seen a slight upward trend year over year since 2021, with nearly 500,000 monthly Google searches being conducted for it worldwide:

Yes, acupuncture has some challenges to overcome, but its strengths lie in its expanding evidence base, increasing public demand, and the pressing need for non-pharmacologic pain management solutions.

There is noticeable momentum among diverse professional groups, including physicians, nurses, and physical therapists, to incorporate acupuncture into their practice, highlighted by initiatives like dry needling and medical acupuncture.

Successful integration in healthcare systems often hinges on identifying a champion for the cause, knowledgeable providers, sustainable funding models, and seamless workflow integration. The field of implementation science holds promise for improving how acupuncture is introduced and sustained in healthcare settings, suggesting a significant opportunity for further research and dialogue to refine and advance acupuncture as a public health best practice.

⭐ Suggested reading: Incorporating Acupuncture Into American Healthcare: Initiating a Discussion on Implementation Science, the Status of the Field, and Stakeholder Considerations, published in 2021 in Global Advances in Health and Medicine

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Stimulate Points on the Ears for Weight Loss

Amidst the surge in popularity of weight loss medications as the leading solutions for shedding pounds, don’t forget about the natural, complementary options too. Of course, diet, exercise, and sleep are the foundations of health, but if you want some additional boosts, there are holistic practices you can layer on top of those pillars too.

Auriculotherapy is one option that can be effectively practiced alone or alongside other treatments. This therapy focuses on the ear, utilizing techniques such as acupuncture (with needles) and acupressure (without needles) to influence bodily functions. A practical method for self-administered acupressure at home involves the use of ear seeds — small beads attached to the ear at specific points with adhesive tape. These seeds activate nerve signals that can aid in weight loss when placed on particular auricular points.

In understanding effective auricular points for weight loss, resources like the Auriculo 360 app (affiliate link) offer a three-dimensional chart that highlights primary and secondary points crucial for managing appetite and metabolic functions. These points include areas associated with appetite control, the stomach, endocrine system, and more, which are integral to managing weight.

Additionally, a 2019 meta-analysis in Medicine identifies similar key points such as the stomach and endocrine areas. Renowned acupuncturist Mario Wexu also suggests specific points depending on the root cause of obesity, including the brain for nervous origin obesity or the liver for metabolic issues. For those new to this practice, starting with four to six points like Shen Men, Stomach, Mouth, and Endocrine is recommended, and results should be monitored over at least four weeks to gauge effectiveness.

⭐ Suggested reading: Powerful Auricular Points for Weight Loss by My Ear Seeds

Manage Stress with Auriculotherapy (Newly Published Scientific Literature)

A just-published review and meta-analysis¹ explored the efficacy of auriculotherapy in managing stress among adults. By systematically reviewing nine databases and conducting a meta-analysis of 12 qualified studies, the research found significant evidence that auriculotherapy effectively reduces stress levels compared to control groups.

Results showed improvements in subjective stress indexes, vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse rate, and heart rate variability measures, suggesting that both acupressure and acupuncture forms of auriculotherapy have beneficial effects, with acupressure potentially having a greater impact.

The conclusions drawn from this study advocate for the inclusion of auriculotherapy in nursing education and its broader application in clinical settings. This integration could enhance holistic, patient-centered care approaches by offering an effective tool for stress management in adults. Such findings underscore the potential of auriculotherapy as a complementary intervention within healthcare paradigms aimed at improving patient outcomes through non-invasive and patient-oriented therapies.

⭐ Suggested reading: Ear Seeds for Mental Health by My Ear Seeds

5 Ways to Support Your Local Acupuncturist

Supporting your local acupuncturist, especially if you’ve found one you like, can significantly contribute to the wellness of not only yourself, but of your community too, and help maintain the availability of alternative health services.

Here are five ways to show your support:

1. Spread the Word: Talk about the benefits you've experienced from acupuncture with other healthcare providers, friends, and family. Encouraging others to try acupuncture increases patient visits and helps integrate acupuncture into broader healthcare conversations.

2. Use Social Media: Follow your acupuncturist's social media pages and engage with their content. Sharing their posts and leaving positive reviews online can attract new clients and raise the clinic's profile in your community.

3. Economical Measures: If possible, pay with cash to save processing fees and, if you have the means, consider sliding up the payment scale or making a donation to help cover the clinic's operational costs. These financial contributions support the clinic's sustainability and enable it to serve a broader community segment.

4. Create a Community Connection: Share information about community acupuncture offerings with your workplace or volunteer groups.

5. Regular Visits and Engagements: Continue to attend your acupuncture sessions and consider buying gift cards for family and friends. Regular visits not only benefit your health but also support the clinic's steady operation.

By implementing these actions, you contribute to a thriving practice that can continue to provide beneficial health services to you and your community.

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If you’d like to learn how to get FREE ear seeds, check out this post on the @myearseeds Instagram (click here!).

Source:

¹Choi, S., & Kim, B. (2024). Effect of Auriculotherapy on Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association, 8980101241257138. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101241257138