Hearing/Vision Loss, Alzheimer’s and Acupuncture

By Young Yi, LAc, DOM

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body – most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It has been proven to be effective in the treatment of conditions such as back/neck/joint pain, headaches, anxiety, depression, nausea, and infertility. However, researchers are only beginning to understand whether acupuncture can be helpful for various other health conditions.

Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, commonly known as sudden deafness, occurs as an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing, either at once or over several days. This type of hearing loss is due to auditory nerve damage.

While research is still being conducted, studies have shown that acupuncture can be an effective solution for patients experiencing hearing loss of this nature. They suggest that the use of acupuncture in addition to drug therapy increases blood flow and the flow of oxygen to the ear, facilitating the recovery of nerve function.

Research published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine supports this theory, saying that acupuncture “can significantly improve the hearing of patients with nerve deafness, and the efficacy of acupuncture in combination with medication is superior to medication alone.”

Alzheimer’s

A study conducted at Wellesley College in 2000 concluded that acupuncture could treat anxiety and depression for people who have Alzheimer’s. The study involved 11 participants who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Vascular Dementia. Following treatment, researchers evaluated the mood of participants and found substantial increases in mood, energy and pain from other ailments caused by aging.

A second study at the University of Hong Kong in 2000 administered acupuncture treatments to eight patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. The research team concluded that after treatments were finished, participants shows significant improvement in memory and attention, as well as increased motor and verbal skills.

These studies show promising results and lay the foundation for longer and more controlled studies which could drastically improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s.

Vision Loss

Your eyes are a reflection of your overall health. Illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be revealed in the eyes. Conditions such as glaucoma, optic neuritis or vision loss are often associated with systemic health problems. It is this interconnection between your eyes and your health that acupuncture and oriental medicine can tap into and utilize to treat eye and vision problems.

Common eye problems treated with acupuncture include glaucoma, cataracts, chronic dry eyes, macular degeneration, optic neuritis, and optic atrophy.