BACKGROUND: With continued popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for children, their safety and effectiveness are of high concern for both CAM and conventional therapy providers. Chiropractic is the most popular form of practitioner-based CAM therapies for children. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the practice of pediatric chiropractic, including its safety and effectiveness. DESIGN: This study used a cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A practice-based research network was used for this study. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Participants were chiropractors and parents of pediatric patients (aged Explore (NY). 2009 September - October;5(5):290-295. Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Media, PA; Private practice, Alcantara Chiropractic Wellness Care, San Jose, CA.

Hypnotist Ron Eslinger of Healthy Visions Wellness Center is interviewed by WBIR's Seth Andrews and Moira Kaye.

The interview is about clinical hypnosis for use in pain management, weight loss, phantom limb pain, stopping smoking and many other uses.

For more information visit www.eslinger.net.

Full Title: Distinct EEG effects related to neurofeedback training in children with ADHD: A randomized controlled trial

In a randomized controlled trial, neurofeedback (NF) training was found to be superior to a computerised attention skills training concerning the reduction of ADHD symptomatology (Gevensleben et al., 2009). The aims of this investigation were to assess the impact of different NF protocols (theta / beta and slow cortical potentials (SCP) training) on the resting EEG and the association between distinct EEG measures and behavioral improvements. In 72 (of initially 102) children with ADHD, aged 8-12, EEG changes after either a NF training (n=46) or the control training (n=26) could be studied. The combined NF training consisted of one block of theta / beta training and one block of SCP training, each block comprising 18 units of 50 minutes (balanced order). Spontaneous EEG was recorded in a two-minutes resting condition before the start of the training, between the two training blocks and after the end of the training. Activity in the different EEG frequency bands was analysed. In contrast to the control condition, the combined NF training was accompanied by a reduction of theta activity. Protocol-specific EEG changes (theta/beta training: decrease of posterior-midline theta activity; SCP training: increase of central-midline alpha activity) were associated with a decrease of the hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale of the German ADHD rating scale. Related EEG-based predictors were obtained. Thus, differential EEG patterns for theta / beta and SCP training provide further evidence that distinct neuronal mechanisms may contribute to similar behavioral improvements in children with ADHD.

Int J Psychophysiol. 2009 Aug 24. Gevensleben H, Holl B, Albrecht B, Schlamp D, Kratz O, Studer P, Wangler S, Rothenberger A, Moll GH, Heinrich H. Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, v.Siebold-Str. 5, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.

Don Mottin first became interested in hypnosis while stationed in Japan, serving in the United States Marine Corps in 1972. In 1976, Mottin joined the police department and began refining his hypnotic techniques in the field of criminal investigations.

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National experts have recommended that children with life-limiting illnesses receive integrated palliative and medical care. These programs offer a variety of services, including music therapy. Using survey data from parents whose were enrolled in Florida's Partners in Care: Together for Kids (PIC:TFK) program, this study investigates parents' experiences with music therapy. About 44% of children with life-limiting illnesses and 17% of their siblings used music therapy. For children who used music therapy, multivariate results suggest that their parents were 23 times as likely to report satisfaction with the overall PIC:TFK program (P < .05) versus parents whose children did not use music therapy. Pediatric palliative care programs should include music therapy, although recruiting licensed music therapists may be challenging.

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2009 Aug 7. Knapp C, Madden V, Wang H, Curtis C, Sloyer P, Shenkman E. University of Florida.

Self-hypnosis training represents a rapid, cost-effective, nonaddictive and safe alternative to medication for the treatment of anxiety-related conditions. Here we provide a review of the experimental literature on the use of self-hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety and stress-related disorders, including anxiety associated with cancer, surgery, burns and medical/dental procedures. An overview of research is also provided with regard to self-hypnotic treatment of anxiety-related disorders, such as tension headaches, migraines and irritable bowel syndrome. The tremendous volume of research provides compelling evidence that hypnosis is an efficacious treatment for state anxiety (e.g., prior to tests, surgery and medical procedures) and anxiety-related disorders, such as headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. Although six studies demonstrate changes in trait anxiety, this review recommends that further randomized controlled outcome studies are needed on the hypnotic treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and in documenting changes in trait anxiety. Recommendations are made for selecting clinical referral sources.

Expert Rev Neurother. 2010 Feb;10(2):263-73. Hammond DC. University of Utah School of Medicine, PM&R, 30 No. 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2119, USA. d.c.hammond@utah.edu

Full Title: A single point acupuncture treatment at large intestine meridian: a randomized controlled trial in acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis

OBJECTIVES: One out of 4 patients visiting a general practitioner reports of a sore throat associated with pain on swallowing. This study was established to examine the immediate pain alleviating effect of a single point acupuncture treatment applied to the large intestine meridian of patients with sore throat. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis were enrolled in this randomized placebo-controlled trial. They either received acupuncture, or sham laser acupuncture, directed to the large intestine meridian section between acupuncture points LI 8 and LI 10. The main outcome measure was the change of pain intensity on swallowing a sip of water evaluated by a visual analog scale 15 minutes after treatment. A credibility assessment regarding the respective treatment was performed. RESULTS: The pain intensity for the acupuncture group before and immediately after therapy was 5.6+/-2.8 and 3.0+/-3.0, and for the sham group 5.6+/-2.5 and 3.8+/-2.5, respectively. Despite the articulation of a more pronounced improvement among the acupuncture group, there was no significant difference between groups (Delta=0.9, confidence interval: -0.2-2.0; P=0.12; analysis of covariance). Patients' satisfaction was high in both treatment groups. The study was prematurely terminated due to a subsequent lack of suitable patients. DISCUSSION: A single acupuncture treatment applied to a selected area of the large intestine meridian was no more effective in the alleviation of pain associated with clinical sore throat than sham laser acupuncture applied to the same area. Hence, clinically relevant improvement could be achieved. Pain alleviation might partly be due to the intense palpation of the large intestine meridian. The benefit of a comprehensive acupuncture treatment protocol in this condition should be subject to further trials.

Clin J Pain. 2009 Sep;25(7):624-31. Fleckenstein J, Lill C, Lüdtke R, Gleditsch J, Rasp G, Irnich D. Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr 8A, 80336 München, Germany.

By Sharon Esonis, PhD

"Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so. If you assume there is an instinct for freedom, there are opportunities to change things, there's a chance you may contribute to making a better world. The choice is yours."

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Co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in addiction treatment programs and a risk factor for negative outcomes. Although interventions have been developed to address substance use and PTSD, treatment options are needed that are effective, well tolerated by patients, and potentially integrated with existing program services. This paper describes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PTSD that was adapted from a treatment for persons with severe mental illnesses and PTSD in community mental health settings. The new adaptation is for patients in community addiction treatment with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. In this study, 5 community therapists delivered the CBT for PTSD. Outcome data are available on 11 patients who were assessed at baseline, post-CBT treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up post-treatment. Primary outcomes were substance use, PTSD severity, and retention, of which all were favorable for patients receiving the CBT for PTSD.

Addict Behav. 2009 Oct;34(10):892-7. Epub 2009 Mar 14. McGovern MP, Lambert-Harris C, Acquilano S, Xie H, Alterman AI, Weiss RD. Dartmouth Medical School, 2 Whipple Place, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA. mark.p.mcgovern@dartmouth.edu

Master Hypnotist Alan Crossley began studying Hypnosis over 25 years ago. He has trained extensively at the University of Toronto Campus with award winning Hypnotist and Trainer Dr. Mike Mandel. Alan has also trained with the National Guild of Hypnotists, NLP Canada and through the Holistic practitioner program at Centennial College.

He is a Master Hypnotist, Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner,certified Reflexologist, EFT Practitioner and certified member of the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH). You will find that Mr. Crossley has a soothing, relaxing voice that will help you easily drift off into a wonderful trance experience.

For more information visit www.hypnosisdownloads.org.

This article both summarizes the previous reviews of randomized, controlled trials of hypnotic analgesia for the treatment of chronic and acute pain in adults, and reviews similar trials which have recently been published in the scientific literature. The results indicate that for both chronic and acute pain conditions: (1) hypnotic analgesia consistently results in greater decreases in a variety of pain outcomes compared to no treatment/standard care; (2) hypnosis frequently out-performs non-hypnotic interventions (e.g. education, supportive therapy) in terms of reductions in pain-related outcomes; and (3) hypnosis performs similarly to treatments that contain hypnotic elements (such as progressive muscle relaxation), but is not surpassed in efficacy by these alternative treatments. Factors that may influence the efficacy of hypnotic analgesia interventions are discussed, including, but not limited to, the patient's level of suggestibility, treatment outcome expectancy, and provider expertise. Based upon this body of literature, suggestions are offered for practitioners who are using, or would like to use, hypnosis for the amelioration of pain problems in their patients or clients.

Contemp Hypn. 2009 Mar 1;26(1):24-39. Stoelb BL, Molton IR, Jensen MP, Patterson DR. University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation. Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

Full Title: Neck pain and disability outcomes following chiropractic upper cervical care: a retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of an upper cervical low-force (UCLF) chiropractic procedure, based on a vertebral alignment model, in the management of neck pain and disability by assessing the impact on valid patient outcome measures. DESIGN: A retrospective case series. METHODS: Consecutive patient files at a private chiropractic practice over a 1-year period were reviewed for inclusion. Data for the first visit, pre- and post-adjustment atlas alignment radiographic measurements, baseline and 2-weeks NDI (100 point) and verbal NRS (11 point) were recorded. The data were analyzed in their entirety and by groups comparing <30% vs. >30% post adjustment atlas alignment changes. RESULTS: Statistically significant clinically meaningful improvements in neck pain NRS (P < 0.01) and disability NDI (P < 0.01) after an average of 13.6 days of specific chiropractic care including 5.7 office visits and 2.7 upper cervical adjustments were demonstrated. There were no serious adverse events. Cases with the post-adjustment skull/atlas alignment measurement (atlas laterality) that were changed more than 30% on the first visit toward the orthogonal alignment predicted a statistically and clinically significant better outcome for NDI in 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: UCLF chiropractic instrument adjustments utilizing a vertebral alignment model are promising for the management of patients with neck pain based on assessment using valid outcome measures.

J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2009 Aug;53(3):173-85. Rochester RP. Chiropractic Spine Center of North Georgia, Inc., 475 S. Washington Street, Suite C, Clarkesville, GA 30523. Society of Chiropractic Orthospinology, Inc. (Non-profit organization) Board of Directors, Co-Author of the text: Orthospinology Procedures, An Evidence-Based Approach to Spinal Care. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007.

by Joyce-Anne Locking

Life is short and dreams are too easily given up and forgotten. Pressed to choose a course of action, we often waste the time and gifts of dreams. What we do with our lives is important. Springtime is a time for dreaming new dreams.

Wonderful gardens are a source of pride and peaceful respite in the middle of a downtown busy with daily traffic and bustling activity. A reprieve from stress and worries, flowers in summer gardens provide colour to nourish our too frequently frazzled existence. A stroll through such gardens last summer found me wondering why such few green spaces are left in the area to enjoy. Green space ought to be taken much more seriously, especially in residential areas. Little room is left for thought or creativity, recreation or just plain relaxation. A place to ponder is something everyone can make use of. Even a drive by such a place is beneficial in that it suggests creative thought.

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BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft and cardiac valve surgeries are frequently performed in medical facilities in the United States, and postoperative nausea (PON) is a prevalent problem in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single preoperative acupuncture treatment in the prevention of PON in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft or cardiac valve surgery, or both. METHODS: Ninety participants presenting for coronary artery bypass graft or cardiac valve surgery, or both, were recruited for this study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either one preoperative acupuncture and standard postoperative care (acupuncture group) or solely standard postoperative care (control group). Acupuncture was performed 0.5 to 3 hours before surgery. The PON incidence and severity on postoperative day (POD) 2 and POD 3 were measured with validated nausea tools. RESULTS: The acupuncture group had a significantly lower incidence of nausea compared with the control group (POD 2, odds ratio [OR], 0.38; p = 0.05; and POD 3, OR, 0.26; p = 0.01). The acupuncture group also had a significantly lower score of nausea severity than the control group (POD 2, OR, 0.29; p = 0.01; and POD 3, OR, 0.25; p = 0.01). No adverse effects due to acupuncture treatment were reported. Antiemetics, pain medications, and anesthetics administered intraoperatively did not differ between the two groups and did not influence study results. CONCLUSIONS: A single preoperative acupuncture treatment decreased incidence and severity of PON in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft or cardiac valve surgery, or both, and caused no adverse effects.

Ann Thorac Surg. 2009 Aug;88(2):537-42. Korinenko Y, Vincent A, Cutshall SM, Li Z, Sundt TM 3rd. Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.

by Andrew McCombe, BPhEd

Emotional Freedom Techniques (or EFT) is a revolutionary new healing aid being used worldwide by those in the healing professions and because of it's simplistic and complementary nature has become an excellent addition to the coaching tool box.

EFT is a psychological form of acupuncture, but without the needles. Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips whilst repeating specific statements. The process is easy to memorize and is portable so you can do it anywhere.

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Full Title: Cognitive-behavioral family treatment for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder: a 7-year follow-up study

This study evaluated the long-term durability of individual and group cognitive-behavioral family-based therapy (CBFT) for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thirty-eight participants (age 13-24 years) from a randomized controlled trial of individual or group CBFT for childhood OCD were assessed 7 years post-treatment. Diagnostic, symptom severity interviews and self-report measures of OCD, anxiety, and depression were administered. Seven years after treatment, 79% of participants from individual therapy and 95% from group therapy had no diagnosis of OCD. These results are near identical to results found at 12 and 18 months follow-ups of the same sample. No significant differences were found between treatment conditions, self-reports of symptom severity, except that depressive symptoms were significantly more pronounced for individual treatment condition, and those in the older age group (19-24 years of age). Results suggest that CBFT for obsessive-compulsive disorder is effective 7 years post-treatment.

J Anxiety Disord. 2009 Oct;23(7):973-8. Epub 2009 Jun 26. O'Leary EM, Barrett P, Fjermestad KW. Pathways Health and Research Centre, PO Box 5699, West End, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia. emilyoleary@pathwayshrc.com.au

This is an interesting video detailing various methods of rapid induction.

For more information visit www.HypnosisGurus.com.

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of internal qigong as a treatment option for pain conditions. Nineteen databases were searched through to February 2009. Controlled clinical trials testing internal qigong in patients with pain of any origin assessing clinical outcome measures were considered. Trials using any type of internal qigong and control intervention were included. The selection of studies, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Four randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 3 controlled clinical trials met all inclusion criteria. One RCT suggested no significant difference for low back pain compared with electromyographic biofeedback. Two RCTs failed to show effects of internal qigong in neck pain compared with exercise therapy and waiting list control. One RCT suggested that qigong is inferior to aerobic exercise in patients with fibromyalgia. There are few RCTs testing the effectiveness of internal qigong in the management of pain conditions. Collectively, the existing trial evidence is not convincing enough to suggest that internal qigong is an effective modality for pain management. PERSPECTIVE: This review of controlled clinical trials focused on the effects of internal qigong, a self-directed energy healing intervention involving movement and meditation. Collectively, the existing trial evidence is not convincing enough to suggest that internal qigong is an effective modality for pain management. Future studies should be of high quality with particular emphasis on designing an adequate control intervention.

J Pain. 2009 Jun 24. Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea; Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, United Kingdom.

Frederick "Cork" Graham was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Cork has lived and traveled extensively throughout Asia, and Latin America, first as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), and then as an award-winning journalist. Cork was a guest speaker on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS and Good Morning America. He lectures on many subjects including Vietnam, political prisons, guerrilla warfare, post-traumatic stress, hypnotherapy and environmental issues. Cork is also the second American trained by the US Navy Seals at the Salvadoran Naval Special Forces School.

For more information visit: www.CorkGraham.com

Many patients use chiropractic as a treatment of fibromyalgia, and many chiropractors seem to be convinced that it is effective for that condition. The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of randomised clinical trials testing the effectiveness of chiropractic care for fibromyalgia. Six electronic literature searches were conducted. No language restrictions were applied. Data extraction and validation were carried out by two independent reviewers. Three studies met the inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality was poor. They generated no evidence to suggest that chiropractic care is effective for fibromyalgia. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that chiropractic is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia.

Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Oct;28(10):1175-8. Epub 2009 Jun 21. Ernst E. Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter, EX2 4NT, UK. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk

Full Title: Improvements in Spelling after QEEG-based Neurofeedback in Dyslexia: A Randomized Controlled Treatment Study

Phonological theories of dyslexia assume a specific deficit in representation, storage and recall of phonemes. Various brain imaging techniques, including qEEG, point to the importance of a range of areas, predominantly the left hemispheric temporal areas. This study attempted to reduce reading and spelling deficits in children who are dyslexic by means of neurofeedback training based on neurophysiological differences between the participants and gender and age matched controls. Nineteen children were randomized into an experimental group receiving qEEG based neurofeedback (n = 10) and a control group (n = 9). Both groups also received remedial teaching. The experimental group improved considerably in spelling (Cohen's d = 3). No improvement was found in reading. An indepth study of the changes in the qEEG power and coherence protocols evidenced no fronto-central changes, which is in line with the absence of reading improvements. A significant increase of alpha coherence was found, which may be an indication that attentional processes account for the improvement in spelling. Consideration of subtypes of dyslexia may refine the results of future studies.

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2009 Aug 27. Breteler MH, Arns M, Peters S, Giepmans I, Verhoeven L. EEG Resource Institute, P.O. Box 31070, 6503 CB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, r.breteler@eegbiofeedback.nl.

Full Title: The tribute of the pioneer of hypnotherapy- Franz Anton Mesmer, MD, PhD in the history of psychotherapy and medicine

Modern hypnosis started with the Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), who believed that the phenomenon known as mesmerism, or animal magnetism, or fluidum was related to an invisible substance - a fluid that runs within the subject or between the subject and the therapist, that is, the hypnotist, or the "magnetizer". The term hypnosis was introduced in the 1840s by a Scottish surgeon James Braid (1795-1860), who believed the subject to be in a particular state of sleep - a trance. In the late 19th century, a French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot (1825-1893) thought hypnotism to be a special physiological state, and his contemporary Hyppotite-Marie Bernheim (1840-1919) believed it to be a psychological state of heightened suggestibility. Sigmund Freud, who studied with Charcot, used hypnosis early in his career to help patients recover repressed memories. He noted that patients would relive traumatic events while under hypnosis, a process know as abreaction. Freud later replaced hypnosis with the technique of free associations. Today, hypnosis is used as a form of therapy (hypnotherapy), a method of investigation to recover lost memories, and research tool. According to Caplan & Sadock, F.A. Mesmer is generally thought of as the fons et origo of modern psychotherapy; and from the early techniques of mesmerism, it is said, have evolved the more elaborate and sophisticated therapeutic measures of the analyst and his colleagues. Although Mesmer was certainly dealing with individuals suffering from a variety of neurotic disorders, and though the clinical successes he achieved were the result of psychological processes that his procedures induced in his patients, Mesmer's theoretical formulations, his understanding of the nature of the treatment he developed, and his specific procedures were all totally different from those of the 20th - century analyst. He was one of the corne stones in the development of psychoanalysis through hypnosis mainly of hysterical patients.

Acta Med Hist Adriat. 2009 Spring;7(1):49-60. Radovancevic L. Neuropsychiatric Polyclinic A.B.R., Petrova 158, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.

by Jef Gazley, MS, LMFT, DCC

When someone experiences trauma they go into immediate shock. This is very similar to hypnosis. Under hypnosis a person is more suggestible and tends to remember everything that occurred while in that state, even if it is on a subconscious level. Because of this a person, when abused, will remember vividly everything about what it was to feel like a victim and they will also remember everything about what it is like to be an abuser.

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Full Title: Music therapy to relieve anxiety in pregnant women on bedrest: a randomized, controlled trial

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of music therapy on anxiety alleviation for antepartal women on bedrest in China. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients recruited from one tertiary hospital in Changsha city, China were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Women in the experimental group received music therapy for 30 minutes on 3 consecutive days. Usual care participants had a 30-minute rest on 3 consecutive days. Variables included anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and physiological responses (vital signs, fetal heart rate). Descriptive statistics, t tests, chi tests, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Pearson correlation analyses were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Anxiety levels decreased and physiological responses improved significantly in the intervention group, which was provided with music therapy while on bedrest. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Carefully selected music that incorporates a patient's own preferences may offer an inexpensive and effective method to reduce anxiety for antepartal women with high risk pregnancies who are on bedrest.

MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2009 Sep-Oct;34(5):316-23. Yang M, Li L, Zhu H, Alexander IM, Liu S, Zhou W, Ren X. The Mental Health Institute, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha Hunan, China. yangmin426@yahoo.com.cn

Michael is an energetic and effective professional with solid experience in motivating, mentoring and training individuals and groups to attain personal and professional excellence. Michael has served clients in the automotive, real estate and customer service industries through inspirational presentations and one to one coaching and consultation. A creative and innovative individual, Michael has developed a series of workshops focused on A.D.A.P.T. I N G developmental and behavioral change from within. A master of Clinical Hypnotherapy and a Certified Hypnotist, Michael holds a Practitioners Certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and is a member of good standing with the National Guild of Hypnotists and the Ontario Association of Hypnotherapists. A past director of C.A.P.S. (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers), Michael has an innate ability to engage participants and identify potential for success in individuals resulting in improved personal and professional performance.

For more information visit www.adapting.ca.

Full Title: Contact-free infrared thermography for assessing effects during acupuncture: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Although evidence of its effects is tentative, acupuncture has long been used in the treatment of multiple maladies. So far, it has not been possible to discriminate the effects of the venue from specific results of needling itself, thus physicians merely depend on patients' statements. The authors investigated the efficacy of infrared thermography in distinguishing response to true acupuncture as compared to nonacupoint cutaneous and muscular needling (sham or minimal acupuncture), as well as without manipulation. METHODS: Thermographic imaging was performed in 50 healthy volunteers randomly assigned to four groups: Acupuncture of Hegu (LI 4), needling of a cutaneous and a muscular point where no acupuncture point has been described yet, and without manipulation. In a crossover protocol, each proband completed all four arms of the protocol in a random order. Infrared thermograms were gathered at defined points in each group. RESULTS: A significant increase in surface temperature occurred within 2 min after needling the acupuncture point Hegu (from 30.1 +/- 2.7 degrees C [SD] to 31.2 +/- 3.0 degrees C and to 31.9 +/- 2.5 degrees C after 10 min, P < 0.001), whereas needling of the cutaneous and muscular point, as well as without any manipulation resulted in a decrease of temperature in the monitored area. CONCLUSION: Contact-free infrared thermographic imaging is a reliable and easy-to-handle tool to distinguish between needling at Hegu and needling of a nonacupoint ("sham" acupuncture).

Anesthesiology. 2009 Sep;111(3):632-9. Agarwal-Kozlowski K, Lange AC, Beck H. Center for Palliative Care and Pain Management, Doerenberg Medical Center, Bad Iburg, Germany. kagarwal@doerenberg-klinik.de

Effect of photo-acoustic stimulation on the flow rate and protein concentration of whole saliva was investigated. 10 medical students' and 11 edentulous patients' salivary volume and protein concentrations were measured before, during, and after stimulation. The flow rate of the students' group was significantly higher (p < or = 0.01) before and after the treatment, whereas the protein concentration was significantly lower (p < or = 0.05) before, during and after treatment comparing to the patients' group. The flow rate of the students' groups significantly decreased during stimulation (p < or = 0.05). Salivary protein concentration of the students' group significantly increased (p < or = 0.05) after stimulation. There were no significant changes in the group of patients. Repeated stimulation combined with hypnotic relaxation was used in the case of 4 psychosomatic patients. Resting salivary flow and protein concentration significantly increased in 2 cases (p < or = 0.05) as a result of the therapy.

Fogorv Sz. 2003 Oct;96(5):217-21. Kaán B, Krause WR, Krause M, Fejérdy L, Gáspár J, Bálint M, Fábián TK. Semmelweis Egyetem, Fogpótlástani Klinika, Budapest.

by Ernesto Ortiz LMT, CST

I have talk lately with many of my clients and friends and a repeated theme it's been going around. Many of them have expressed feelings that they don't quite understand, I started following this tread of information and realized that this are times of heighten awareness, tremendous input of information from the media and a deep inner desire to understand what is going on. Many of us hear the news and grind our teeth at what we hear, we feel it in our hearts and we help carry the burden at unconscious levels. But then there is something deeper than that going on. We want to wake up, we want to connect and feel that we are contributing something to the planet, to its people, our family and friends. Yes, that is all good but then something is happening to our bodies. We are in the process of conscious awakening.

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Full Title: Changes in maternal expressed emotion toward clinically anxious children following cognitive behavioral therapy

The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal expressed emotion (criticism and emotional overinvolvement) decreased across treatment for childhood anxiety. Mothers of 48 clinically anxious children (aged 6-14 years) were rated on levels of criticism (CRIT) and emotional overinvolvement (EOI), as measured by a Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) from mothers, prior to and following cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for their children's anxiety. Results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of mothers who expressed high levels of criticism and emotional overinvolvement from pretreatment to posttreatment. This finding suggests that interventions aimed at reducing symptoms of child anxiety can also result in a decrease of maternal expressed emotion (criticism and emotional overinvolvement).

J Exp Child Psychol. 2009 Nov;104(3):346-52. Epub 2009 Aug 5. Gar NS, Hudson JL. Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.