- Acupuncture treatment markedly improved psoriasis – a case report
Acupuncture treatment significantly improved psoriasis in a patient who suffered the upsetting skin condition for 20 years. A case reported was recently published in journal of Acta Dermatovenerologica Croatica.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune and recurring condition that caused raised, red and scaly patches to appear on the skin. Conventional treatments such as topical, phototherapy and systemic approaches help to keep the condition under control. However the outcome is not always satisfactory and often associated with long-term adverse effect.
Recently Dr. Darija Mahović and colleague in Croatia reported a case of acupuncture treatment to a patient with severe psoriasis and chronic migraine. The patient was given acupuncture on the head, arms and legs for 30 min once a day for 10 days with interval of 2-3 days between treatments. Patients did not use any specific topical anti-psoriatic treatment during acupuncture. Patient stated that very soon after each acupuncture treatment she noted a significant improvement regarding psoriasis lesion and “she has not had such a good skin for a long time”. Meanwhile, patient’s chronic migraine was markedly relieved following acupuncture treatment.
Authors suggest that dermatologists should be informed about the potential of acupuncture for psoriasis treatment.
Reference
D Mahović & F Mrsić, Acupuncture as a Complementary Method of Traditional Psoriasis Treatment: Myth or Reality? Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2016;24(3):221-222. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27663925
- Acupuncture as an adjunctive helps improve psoriasis
Acupuncture in combination with Chinese herbs and auricle cutting technique significantly improved psoriasis condition according to a report published in journal Zhongguo Zhen Jiu (Chinese Acupuncture).
Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin condition that causes the symptoms on the skin and sometimes on the joints. It is characterised by the red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques which often itchy and can occur on any area of the body. Psoriasis occurs when the abnormally quick skin replacement process develops. The cause of psoriasis is not well known and it is believed that abnormal immune response,genetic and environmental factors are associated with its development. Although there is no cure for the condition, conventional treatments include topical, phototherapy and systematic medication can help keep the condition under control.
Recently researchers in China conducted a clinical study to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in combination with auricle cutting in psoriasis. Fifty-six patients with psoriasis being treated with Chinese herbs, were randomly divvied into four groups (n=14 in each group), including combined group, acupuncture alone group, auricle cutting alone group and control group (Chinese herbs alone). The treatment was given once daily, seven days as a session and total treatment lasted for two sessions. Psoriasis area and severity index was evaluated before and after the treatment.
It was found that at the end of treatment psoriasis area and severity index scores were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared with baseline scores. However, the combined group achieved 57% of effective rate, compared with 14% in auricle cutting alone group and 7% in acupuncture alone group and 0% in control group.
The authors conclude that the combination of acupuncture, auricle cutting technique and Chinese herbs achieved the best therapeutic effect on psoriasis.
Reference:
Li T et al., [Acupuncture combined with auricle cutting method for blood stasis -type psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014 May;34(5):449-53. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25022114
Grateful acknowledgements are due to D Mahović and T Li and colleagues (This paper was based on their articles published on Acta Dermatovenerol Croat , titled: Acupuncture as a Complementary Method of Traditional Psoriasis Treatment: Myth or Reality? and Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, titled: Acupuncture combined with auricle cutting method for blood stasis -type psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial, as well as Bai-Yun Zeng for his work in preparing this briefing paper.