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Vietnam Journey - Low Vision Acupuncture


Acupuncture may be useful to treat certain eye pathologies associated with low vision.  I wish to avoid the perception that acupuncture cures macular degenerative disease. It does not. However acupuncturists have reported possible improved visual changes following acupuncture treatments. Dr. Alston Lundgren, MD is a medical acupuncturist who has certainly helped many patients improve upon their low vision associated with Macular Degenerative Disease.  He has published two articles that are listed below: Click on the links to read the articles.

Volume 14, Number 2, Medical Acupuncture, "Medical Acupuncture for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Preliminary Report."

Volume 16, Number 3, Medical Acupuncture "An Acupuncture Protocol For Treatment Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Second Report"

XVIII ICER Presentation, Beijing, China, September 2008.

Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow employs acupuncture to treat low vision problem. This is a significant modification of Dr. Alston’s Santa Fe protocol. The results are variable, but frequently good. I no longer places small gold needles in the ears.

Needling the points LR 3 and LR 8 are replaced by insertion of the needles into the closest bony area associated with these acupuncture points. The red lead of an electro-stimulator is attached near LR 8 and the black lead is attached to near LR 3. The circuit is mounted bilaterally and the electronic parameters consist of a square wave stimulation at 5 Hz over 30 minutes.

The two needles placed in LR 14 are replaced by one needle inserted superficially into the bone of the sternum. This becomes the negative lead from the electrical stimulator and the positive lead is placed into Qi Hou in one eye and another lead is set-up in a similar manner for the opposite eye.

The eye needles are placed so that they contact the orbital bone as it skims down it near Qi Hou. Electronic diodes are placed in the eye circuits.  Inserting diodes into these circuits keeps the current in the eye and blocks it from reaching the sternum area when the square wave phases into the appropriate polarity.

The circuit is mounted bilaterally and consists of a biphasic square wave at 5 Hz over 30 minutes. As mentioned the biphasic characteristics are blocked in the eye circuits by the diodes.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible if this technique does not produce the anticipated results or any untoward effects to the patient.  This technique should be performed by an experienced acupuncturist at his/her own risk to the patient. 
 
The following article should be reviewed for medical safety issues.

Volume 17, Number 3, Medical Acupuncture, Macular Degenreative Disease and Acupuncture Safety Precautions.
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If you experience any problems with this form, please send your questions or concerns directly to Dr. Niemtzow: n5evmd@gmail.com

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