Adenosine May be Missing Link to Explain Acupuncture Pain Relief

A new advanced online article published May 20, 2010 in the Nature Neuroscience journal is shedding some light on how acupuncture may work to relieve pain.

The article "Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nociceptive effects of acupuncture" written by researchers at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y.;  Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland have demonstrated that the neurotransmitter Adenosine may be the missing link in explaining how acupuncture needles relieve pain. Adenosine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, a neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive (pain) properties.

The Findings

Using a variety of different studies in mice, these researchers found that adenosine was released during acupuncture in mice and that its anti-nociceptive actions required adenosine A1 receptor expression. In one study direct injection of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of acupuncture. In another, inhibition of enzymes involved in adenosine degradation potentiated the acupuncture-elicited increase in adenosine, as well as its anti-nociceptive (pain relieving) effect.

Their findings indicate that adenosine is the neurotransmitter responsible for the effects of acupuncture. Furthermore they discovered that interfering with adenosine metabolism (through inhibition of enzymes or other mechanisms) may help to prolong the clinical benefit of acupuncture.


Sources:

Nanna Goldman, Michael Chen, Takumi Fujita, Qiwu Xu, Weiguo Peng, Wei Liu, Tina K Jensen, Yong Pei, Fushun Wang, Xiaoning Han, Jiang-Fan Chen, Jurgen Schnermann, Takahiro Takano, Lane Bekar, Kim Tieu & Maiken Nedergaard. (2010) Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nociceptive effects of acupuncture. Nature Neuroscience. doi:10.1038/nn.2562. Published online 30 May 2010.

Emily Shon. May 31, 2010. Acupuncture Releases Natural Painkiller. Discovery News.

Karen Hopkin. May 30, 2010. Mechanism Points To Acupuncture Pain Relief. Scientific American Podcast Transcript.

Image: Thunderchild. Acupuncture Model. Creative Commons.

Memorial Day Meditation from Pema Chodron and Richard Reoch

This amazing Meditation comes from Pema Chodron & Richard Reoch.

Their Memorial Day Meditation from 2007 is a good way to honor those who have served, but still holding true to values of a peaceful existence.



Other Memorial Day Meditations

From Bellaonline, a Memorial Day Prayer and a Memorial Day Prayer and Meditation Ceremony both from Susan Helene Kramer. For the ceremony they start with this lovely prayer:

We show our thankfulness in prayer
This honor you deserve
Giving all for freedom's call
That we may live without reserve.

Another more reflective Memorial Day Meditation comes from the blog, "An Innocent Okie Lost on the Potomac" written by Unbleached Brun.

The Remember on Memorial Days lens on Squidoo is one that I wrote last year, to honor and remember those who have served.

Exercise to Improve the Mood and Aid with Depression

A video clip from Baylor Health looking at the benefits of exercise in treating depression.

In this video from Baylor Health Care System, experts take a look at the studies that show that exercise can also help us to not only trim down, but also to "psych up" as part of the "relaxation response."

Another Loving Kindness Meditation

Another variant of a Loving Kindness Meditation that can be used when you want to practice Loving Kindness.

May I live in safety.
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I live with ease.


May you live in safety,
May you be happy,
May you be healthy,
May you live with ease.


May all beings live in safety.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be healthy.
May all beings live with ease.


May all beings everywhere live in safety.
May all beings everywhere be happy.
May all beings everywhere be healthy.
May all beings everywhere live with ease.

Source Adapted from: Rink. R. (2009). Buddhist Belief - Metta Meditation - Loving Kindness. Buddhist Belief Blog.

Benefits of Exercise for Physical and Mental Health

This knowledge of the benefits of exercise has been known for centuries.

Lack of activity destroys
the good condition of every human being,
while movement and methodical physical exercise
save it and preserve it.

Plato

In this video clip from Dr. Michael McKee of the Cleveland Clinic on "Exercise for physical and mental health," he explains how exercise can not only benefit your physical well being, but your mental well being as well.




Dr. McKee discusses how he uses exercise as a prescription to help his patient feel better.

A Healing Blessing for Kristiina

A Healing Blessing was written when my youngest daughter was hospitalized.

This version of A Healing Blessing was created as a Vodcast Episode for an introductory course on Vodcasting for Teaching and uploaded so other instructors could more easily access the video file.



This Healing Blessing expands on an Episode 4 from the NICU Parent Support Audio and Podcast. In this Vodcast Episode the Blessing has been set to photographs to create a video.

• Episode 4 - A Special Healing Blessing - Version 1 With Tibetan Bowls, Bells & Chimes
• PDF Transcript for Episode 4 (Version 1)

Dyer KA. A Healing Blessing. Squidoo.com
Dyer KA. Creating a Circle of Healing and Support. NICU Parent Support Site.

Quote for the Week - Subtle Mind

A quote on the Subtle Mind for this week, from the Buddha:

All living beings,
and all sorts of
illusory events,
are all born
in the completely awake
subtle mind
of those who
realize suchness.

Buddha

Image: miamiamia. Meditation. Royalty Free Use.