Hello, welcome back. Now what we're going to basically take a look at now is more the underlying mechanism of acupuncture. So the better you can understand the underlying mechanism, now you can start to target your treatment with regards to the management of peripheral neuropathy. So, the main aim is to introduce you to the effects of acupuncture in the management of peripheral neuropathy, have an understanding of the underlying effect of acupuncture and the reduction of inflammation, particularly for the management of peripheral neuropathy, understanding of the effects of acupuncture, new management of nerve regeneration, and also an understanding of the most effective acupuncture points with regards to the management of peripheral neuropathy. The main thing that we actually wanted to be doing with the acupuncture is target the causative factors. We've already discussed the cause of peripheral neuropathy.

So now we can start to target some of those causes as it moves cases when peripheral neuropathy is actually being treated is mainly utilizing medication. And that medication is primarily aimed at treating the symptom. Same again, when I've looked at quite a few studies on the management of peripheral neuropathy, or management of other conditions similar, the main focus is on pain. Now, what I'm going to basically demonstrate to you here is if you focus your treatment on pain, in some cases, you can end up with treatment failure, because the frequency for using electro acupuncture is going to be too high. And that in itself can cause a slowing of the recovery as opposed to enhancing the recovery purely because you've chosen the wrong frequency and your main focus is on pain, and you've chose a high frequency instead of a low frequency. So therefore, if you've chosen a low frequency, then that's going to be better.

So again, don't focus on pain, focus on the condition at hand and focus on the underlying mechanism. There. For your treatment and the effect of the treatment is going to be that much better. So I want to key things that we need to focus on is oxidative stress. The other key thing is the inflammatory cytokines that's going to be circulating due to either neuro toxicity, or hyperglycemia. That's going to start to affect the nerve, we're going to get inflammation around the nerve damage to the myelin sheath oxidative stress, which is going to actually affect the mitochondrial cells due to build up or free radicals within the area.

So again, each one of those is going to need to be addressed and the key points that will address those. So, what we may say as we said before, main focus to address the cause of peripheral thing select points that have clinically been shown to reduce inflammation, ensure that electrodes are placed in the correct location to enhance nerve regeneration. Now that is important. If we put electrodes the wrong way around, that can have a reverse effect. So it's not just going to be a case of just placing electrodes around the area, you do need to be aware of where you place it positive negative, choose optimum frequency as I was saying beforehand in order to enhance nerve regeneration. So in the permanent tissue in which you're treating is going to determine as to what frequency you set that actually electrode and don't just base it on treating pain.

So if we look at reducing inflammation, now, it does bring this back to those two key points stomach 36 spleen six. Now if you look at several studies, where we looking at human studies, or animal studies, those two points in themselves have been demonstrated to significantly reduce inflammation. There are several mechanisms in which they do that. Once you start look at stomach 36 in particular, Many studies have actually demonstrated that we've got the macrophages What they basically do is change type one microphones, which is pro inflammatory into type two microphones, which is pro anti inflammatory. I've used these two points quite frequently on my son, my son has idiopathic juvenile arthritis. Now when a key things in his case is if he has a flare up his knees, his ankles will actually swell.

Now it is a situation when he goes to needs to be at school particularly, he's now 15 going on 16 is in the final year. The last thing we want him to do is to missing out on any of his schoolwork. So on many occasions, I've actually when he's had his flare up, treated him with acupuncture, mainly utilizing those points, particularly for his knees, and in putting dollar needles in. So this is where his knees can be swollen one day, you'll get up the next day and that swelling has significantly reduced or cleared up completely. And this allows him to be able to walk his way around school because the school is built on several platforms that he's having to go up and down. Otherwise, he's gonna have to spend time in the library.

And that's not necessarily somewhere where he particularly wants to be. So I've seen firsthand what these points can actually do, particularly with inflammatory disorders. So not just from my personal experience, but also from my clinical experience and also from studies, that's their support. So to reduce the inflammatory process, these are two key points you want to be able to be utilizing. In addition to these two points, you can actually start to look at using other points, such as kidney seven, that regulates the interstitial fluid, and also spleen now, so you can combine those points to reduce the inflammatory process and also reduce any swelling. So once you're able to do that, that's going to have a significant effect particularly on the peripheral nerves, that would be inflamed, that's causing pain.

So indirectly, you are going to actually affect the pain pathways. The other key thing is is the frequency The choice of frequency, which is going to be quite important, if you use electronic coupon jet, you do need to be using a low frequency. Now, if you're actually using anything between two hertz, up to 15 to 20 hertz maximum, at least that hertz, which is going to also have an effect on the muscle pump, and it's also going to have an effect on the blood vessels. So that's going to enhance macro circulation to the actual area. So again, it can help to drain off any swelling or inflammation in and around an actual area. Through the area which which you need to focus on is nerve regeneration.

If there's any damage to the nerve, you need to be able to regenerate that nerve. So that's going to be quite important and acupuncture has been demonstrated to do that. So that in itself is going to enhance nerve conductivity and it's also going to quicken the repair process. So if you Look at key studies the Chinese have done been utilizing certain points certain meridians for millenniums in regard to treating damage to sack nerves or damage to actual nerve endings. Now what main points that they actually utilize is London do main channel and these have in several studies have been demonstrated to allow regeneration of spinal nerves. Now, you may point mainly falls just underneath the Spanish process such as do three and do four, which is just underneath the Spanish process of L two, and also underneath the Spanish process of L four.

So they are quite effective points. I use him quite frequently when I'm treating key patients and may dictate if I'm treating patients who's presented with plantar fasciitis or heel pain as you may put it, and those particular patients where the pain is actually coming from the back and not necessarily from the heel. So you In that case, I can utilize the HDMI channel. And also in addition to utilizing to do my channel, I can utilize local points within the area and I found that in many cases have been more effective and actually treating that particular condition where it's mainly from a compressive within the back as I was coming on to beforehand is the placement of the actual electrodes is important is important as to where you place the electrodes. Now, several studies have actually demonstrated that placing the cathode which is the positive distal to the lesion, and post placing the anode, which is a negative proximal to the lesion will enhance the repair of the actual nerve.

Now you put it the other way around, that has been shown by these studies to delay the actual healing of the natural nerve itself. And that's delaying it over and above that of the actual control. So that is important to note. So in other words, printing how you actually placed the electrode is going to depend on the rate of healing. And that's not even taking into consideration the frequency in which you need to be applying. So straight away, wrong placement of the electrode is going to delay the healing or it'll accelerate the healing.

So again, placing electrodes, depending on which way round will accelerate the actual healing process. Okay, now coming on to the frequency, which is just as important. This particular study was demonstrating to show that using a one to 20 or even a 200 hertz frequency and demonstrate the effect of that what we're basically finding is the higher the Hertz, the slower the repair process, to the extent where it was actually delayed the repair process slower than that of the control whereas the low The Hurt edge would accelerate the actual healing process. So that's going to be an important thing. So what I'm driving at here is, if you was to actually treat it, and he was looking at pain, and he's looking at more of a segmental effect, then what you would actually be utilizing is anything from 50 words hurt each outwards. Now, if you're using 50 to 100 hertz, or hundred hertz, 250 hertz.

Now what you're actually doing is slowing the healing process and not necessarily enhancing the regeneration of the actual nerve. Now, of all these studies, there were there was one particular study that I looked at. And of all the ones that was utilizing placing electrodes in the right manner, with a positive below or distal to the actual lesion and the negative proximity to the Legion. There was only one study that had a negative outcome, and it was only that one study that didn't explain where the electrical was actually pleased. So in that basis, I can only make the assumption that was placed the wrong way around. So, overall, what your basic found is to hurt, also improve nerve conductivity.

And also with regards to improving nerve conductivity, the velocity and also with regards to the rate of repair. So that's something to bear in mind is that's pretty much the frequency that you actually want to be utilizing. The important thing about a to hertz also is to hertz also have a central effect on pain. So what can actually do here is one you will enhance the healing rate to is going to also have essentially effect on pain. But however, it does need to be left in place for at least 30 minutes to have that essential effect because it allows the body or the brain to start to release endorphins into the circulation. So that's It takes a longer time to actually come on.

But however, the effect of that doesn't last that much longer. Coming back to the frequency, this is a particular study that was undertaken and what it was mainly demonstrating is anything 50 hertz and above could induce a neural injury and early axon degeneration. So once you start to look at that, what we're trying to do is to enhance zonal re modulation of the actual accident and not actually degeneration of it. So, therefore, usually to greater frequency is going to have an adverse effect and not allow the rebound nation to actually take place. So it is important think about those of you who is using electro think about the frequency in which you're actually utilizing. So now we can actually move on and take a look at the points and see what points we can actually start to consider utilizing as we mentioned, When the most important point is going to be stomach 36 rarely demonstrated and explained how it will have an effect on inflammatory process.

Now, however, once you start to look at points such as stomach 36 and also stomach 41. Now, these two points have been used extensively in research mainly observing the effect they have on a mitochondrial cells. Now, what these are basic being demonstrated do is significantly reduce oxidative stress on mitochondrial cells. So, not only does it have an anti inflammatory effect, also it has an effect on oxidative stress significantly reduces oxidative stress on mitochondrial cells. So, therefore, it is a very very important point to consider when treating conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, particularly when it's brought on through degeneration and oxidative stress which will then going to affect the schwann cells and start to cause the imagination of the actual nerves. So 40 is quite an important part I use that quite frequently, particularly when I'm treating peripheral neuropathy.

The Chinese will recommend that particular point to clear for numbness paralysis, particularly in the lower extremity. So again, it is quite a good point to actually utilize in conjunction with estimate 36 estimate 41. Again, coming back to that point, as I said with summit 46 has been demonstrated to reduce oxidative stress on Mac control cells. In addition, it's a very good point for treating conditions such as paralysis and drop for in the lower extremities also reduce swelling and inflammation in around the actual foot itself. spleen six as we mentioned with regard to the inflammatory process It is also a very, very important point with regards to treating any patient who's undergoing cancer, or any ladies, for example, who's going through the menopause. So once you start to look at Hot flesh, it has a strong effect on the homeostasis of the actual body itself, because it has a strong effect on the endocrine system.

So addressing conditions such as hot flush, which is part of what comes with chemotherapy treatment, then this point in itself is quite effective at reducing hot flushes. I mean, by all means, you're not going to use spleen six by itself. Normally it's used in conjunction with liver three, large intestine and 11. So those key points are used along with spleen six, as we were saying beforehand is your two main points as the same beforehand I have treated many patients presenting with heel pain. I've also treated more complicated patients with peripheral neuropathy. Not necessarily where it's due to medication is merely due to other costs, in fact is only getting pain in the feet and I have found kneeling in around the domain and combining that with the heat gain points.

I've found I've got some very good results from that. So these you haich D points. Now some of you may well be familiar with what you call your back shoe points such as your your bladder 23, you're about 25 you're about 26 these are key batching points that runs 1.5 centimeters or approximate one point points five, seven lateral to the spinous process. Now the key thing is these are closer to the spinous process. This is 0.5 sons lateral to Spanish process found on both sides is painless process each right the way down the lumbar, thoracic and cervical vertebrae Mainly utilized for neurological disorders. So if you're treating back pain, it is if there's any neurological dysfunction there, then your HPA points would be better to use then your action points.

Same again, the key thing about these points is they are common points. So, they do help to calm the actual patient. So, again highly recommended. So, key thing is if you have got anybody who you treating for cancer or anything like that, then at least these points will help to actually calm the patient. You read me points are the points that runs down the front of the body. These points some practitioners will know it as a conception vessel.

Now, when a common points that is actually utilized is your rent six. Now combine that with estimate 36, spleen six, these are what are called 20 vacation plans. They're there too. If anybody's got any severe chronic problems or chronic fatigue, now they're there to stimulate and energize the actual body. So that's where you Ren six will actually come in particular, if anybody's got any conditions such as peripheral neuropathy. Then again, what I'm mainly looking at doing is energizing the body.

So, it is one of the more common points to actually be utilized in the management of peripheral neuropathy and used extensively in chemo induced peripheral neuropathy. They were three is an important point young used in conjunction with large and testing for key thing about liver three main function of that is enhancing circulation. Also with regards to weakness, for this T in the lower extremities can be used for cold feet. And again, it's one of the common points you actually going to use in chemo induced peripheral neuropathy is one of the points that's regular being used for that Along with spleen six, as we've seen before, particularly where it's for the management of hot flushes these two points combined has been shown to extend the longevity of treatment of hot flushes, particularly in cancer patients. So it is a recommended point to actually utilize be thin point.

Now you have got your Bay Fang, which is on the feet and then you've got your backseat point which is on the hand goes across the knuckles. Now very similar beefing point does enhance the circulation particularly to the toes. And particularly it's going to enhance macro circulation within the feet and also within the digits so that enhancing the macro circulation is going to start to help with conditions such as your peripheral neuropathy, in addition to enhancing nerve conductivity within the foot. Launch testing for as we said beforehand, will have effect particularly for us ties and it we've got to live with three, it will have an effect, more of a central effect on the hypothalamus. Now, it has an effect on the hypothalamus pituitary axis, which then in turn will have an effect on the prereq grade. Now, if you remember from our earlier presentation, part of the effect of neuropathy is it will have an effect on the periaqueductal gray and effects the descending pain pathway.

So therefore, because it compromises the effect of the periaqueductal gray due to the fact reactions that's taking place there, then it compromises your body's ability to reduce pain, whereas logic testing for stomach 36 and also liver three, will enhance the effect of the periaqueductal gray. So therefore, is therefore improving your body's ability to manage itself. So, it is recommended to utilize those points. key thing is again if you are going to utilize the four gates along wisdom at 36 It is recommended to leave the points in for a minimum of 30 minutes to get the optimum effect and therefore to kickstart the Aqua periaqueductal gray and in descending pink pathways logic testing 11 that's mainly used in conjunction with logic testing 10 as we seen beforehand, you combine logic testing 10 with stomach 36. Those combined with has been shown to strengthen the four limbs. In addition to that, particularly utilizing logic testing 11 utilize that in conjunction with stomach 36 liver three and also spleen six that those point combination will address Your hot flushes, particularly anybody who's going undergoing chemotherapy.

Baxi points as we said beforehand will function the same manner as you'd be fine point but only is going to address more of the peripheral effect in the hands and fingers. So you can combine the upper extremities with points such as logic testing for logic testing 10 logic testing 11 those points along the back two points will help to address problems in the upper extremities. You can also use other points, particularly in the lower in the lower limits, which is clean six stomach 36 to address any inflammatory reaction along we live with three. Well, thank you for listening. If you've got any comments, then by all means, post those comments in the discussion section. If you want to email me direct with any comments or questions and by all means do so.

You can get me on info at Steve Bailey acupuncture dot Calm