Hi list members , Does acupuncture really work ?? ========================================= CLINICAL HYPOTHESES Primary Parkinson's Disease: The Use of Tuina and Acupuncture in Accord With an Evolving Hypothesis of Its Cause from the Perspective of Chinese Traditional Medicine Janice Walton-Hadlock Parkinson's Disease Treatment Center Santa Cruz, California U.S.A. 95060 Abstract: The author presents a hypothesis based on acupuncture channel theory regarding the cause of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Following clinical experience with PD patients suggesting a similar history of energetic trauma, a preliminary observation was conducted to investigate its prevalence in subjects with PD and in non-PD controls. A system of Yin-type Tuina, termed FSR (forceless spontaneous release), was used to locate and assess the injury. Results indicated that all observed PD subjects and only one of the control subjects shared such similar injury. The PD subjects were then treated with a combination of FSR and acupuncture, resulting in various degrees of relief from their symptoms, (e.g, tremor, rigidity, decreased dyskinesia; improved balance, circulation) regardless of the stage of the disease, and in several cases enabled a reduction of conventional medication. Based on these findings, the author proposes a hypotheses in which rebellious (retrograde) qi flow, beginning at the site of injury, could set in motion the cascade of changes in Qi flow that precipitate the symptoms and neurologic damage found in PD. It is proposed that decreased dopamine is not the cause of PD, but is a side effect of this cascade of changes. Included is a review of PD from the Western perspective. Please address all correspondence and reprint requests directly to the author at: Parkinson's Disease Treatment Center, 343 Soquel Avenue, Suite 413, Santa Cruz, California U.S.A. 95060. Tel: +831-460-9328. I. The Western Perspective on Parkinson's Disease A. Etiology and pathophysiology B. Signs and symptoms C. Treatment II. Preliminary Observation to Investigate the Possibility of Prior Energetic Trauma A. Background B. Subjects C. Treatment D. Results E. Discussion III. Hypothesis A. Injury B. Rebellious Qi C. Effect of the Gallbladder channel on the Du channel D. Role of dopamine E. Sleep patterns F. Tremor G. Loss of coordination H. The "Mask" I. Foot drop J. Qi flow and FSR K. Summary IV. Case Study V. Conclusion PARKINSON S disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder in the world after Alzheimer's disease.1 It is an idiopathic, American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol. 26, No. 2/3, 1998 ========================================================= Cheers , +----| Joao Paulo de Carvalho |------ + | [log in to unmask] | +--------| Salvador-Bahia-Brazil |------+