SUCCESSES IN AP PRACTICE
AP successes (even in cases undiagnosed, wrongly diagnosed, or assessed initially as "difficult" or "unlikely to respond") may be explained by (a) spontaneous remission or (b) activation of adaptive responses.
a. Spontaneous remission: Some AP "successes" may be due to spontaneous remission (Vix Naturae) rather than to AP therapy. Temporary or cyclical remissions are common, for instance in human multiple sclerosis. Many clinical problems may appear to respond initially to therapy, only to recur later. For instance, "back lameness" in humans, dogs and horses can recur.
Clinicians may attribute relapses to an inherent weakness in the patient. Congenital or acquired deformities of the vertebrae (misalignment, disc disease, spondylosis etc) or limbs (toeing in or out, "back at the knee", sickle or straight hocks etc) may throw abnormal strain on limb or back muscles, predisposing to relapse following apparent successful therapy. In humans, incorrect lifting (using the bent back rather than the knees and hips) or incorrect sitting posture etc is thought to justify the phrase: Once a back, always a back"!
Inadequate "follow-up" after apparently successful therapy would miss the recurrence of the disorder and a temporary remission could be erroneously classed as a "successful clinical response".
In the absence of controlled trials, it is not possible to quantify these spontaneous remissions. However, in clinical trials published by other workers, the "Placebo Effect" (apparent remission in the negative control group) can run from 10 to 60%. In human trials, a common Placebo Effect is of the order of 30-35%. However, remission rate depends on the disorder being examined. Spontaneous remission in motor neuron disease, for instance, would not be as high as in Grade 3 disc disease (motor paralysis with intact deep pain sensation). Spontaneous remission in typhoid would not be as high as in E. coli enteritis.
b. Activation of adaptive responses: The basic tenet of Holistic Medicine is that the body heals itself and that all effective therapies enhance the adaptive/homoeostatic/self-healing responses.
There is ample research evidence that AP activates the adaptive responses via segmental, inter-segmental and suraspinal reflexes, activation of autonomic, neuroendocrine, endocrine and immune responses (Rogers et al 1977, Lin & Rogers 1980, Rogers & Bossy 1981; Rogers 1990).
TP successes: Many chronic pain-disorders are associated with TPs in humans and animals, as discussed. TP elimination can eliminate pain and other disorders rapidly.
Most of the horses treated successfully for myofascial lameness had 1 to 7 TPs present in the affected muscles. Simple or electro-AP, point-injection or Laser (plus "fisting" or TENS between sessions) at the TPs and main AP points for the region usually eliminated the TPs and restored function within 1 to 7 sessions (usually 2-4 sessions).
Very chronic cases can respond. One such case was an 83 year-old woman with severe pain in her lateral thorax for more than 12 years. All previous assessments had failed to locate the cause of the pain and all previous attempts at treatment had failed. I located a single TP in an intercostal space on the mid-axillary line. Pressure on the TP caused her to scream. One needle in the TP and one in GB34 (same side) eliminated the pain in 2 sessions. She remained free of the pain until she died 7 years later.
Success in strained flexor tendons in the horse: I have had very good success with Laser therapy (30-50 mW pulsed infra-red laser) if the horse is rested for 1-2 weeks, followed by 1 month walking, 1 month trotting and 1 month cantering before return to full training (as advised by Emiel Van Den Bosch, Belgium).
In chronic cases, with visible "bowed tendons", laser was used 1-2 times/ week for 3-5 sessions. In some of these cases, the owner used a "blister paste" over the tendon and waited until all heat and pain had disappeared before requesting laser therapy. The horse was rested in the box, or let out to grass, until the the bow disappeared. Gradual return to training is advised, as in acute cases (above).
Powerful "responders": Some patients are powerful responders, i.e. respond symptomatically to 1-2 sessions of AP and remain well for weeks or months afterwards. When they present later (with recurrence or with a new problem), they usually respond rapidly to ssubsequent treatment. This can be dramatic, as in rapid response in some dogs with hip dysplasia or chronic hip osteoarthritis.
Success in spite of severe lesions: Moderate to severe vertebral or joint lesions may exist in elderly human and animal populations, many of whom have little or no history of pain or lameness associated with the lesion.
AP can produce marked clinical results in spite of severe lesions, such as severely dysplastic or arthritic hips. One example was a man who had broken both knees in a motor-cycle accident some years before. He developed severe osteoarthtitis, with pain, stiffness and "locking" of both knees. Knee movement produced crepitation which could be heard 4 metres away. Two sessions of AP restored limb function. Six months later, he phoned for another appointment: he had to hop down a ladder on one leg, as the other knee had locked again! Further AP gave relief within days.
Similarly, AP can be helpful in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis. An airport technician with severe RA came for AP. He had prosthetic hips and was on crutches. He said that the surgeons were thinking of recommending surgery on his elbows. He was in constant pain and could work only 1-2 days/fortnight. After 6-8 AP sessions he missed work about 1-2 days/fortnight. However, I was unable to help him enough with AP, so I referred him to a physician (Dr. Liz Ogden, Dublin). She prescribed a strict diet and homoeopathic remedies. Eighteen months later, I heard my name called as I walked accross the lobby in Kennedy Airport, New York. It was "my patient". He strode accross the lobby, hale and hearty without the crutches to thank me for referring him to Dr. Ogden!
Unexplained success in the absence of specific diagnosis: Occasionally, one may attempt to treat symptomatically a condition for which there is no specific diagnosis.
One such case was a very valuable thoroughbred filly with a history of lameness for some months in the fore-limbs. The lameness was intermittent, lasting 4-10 days, and shifted between the left and right limbs. Top-class equine vets had examined her before I was called. Clinical and other tests failed to locate the location or cause of the lameness. Pressure on the cervical nerve roots was suspected. I found nothing on examination, but was told she had been typically lame the day before. I needled the main points for neck and forelimb, once/week on three occasions. She was not seen lame after the first session of AP and was sold to France within 2 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Causes of clinical failure include: professional error (faulty diagnosis; faulty AP knowledge (incorrect choice of points, inadequate stimulation, failure to use primary or supportive therapies, premature withdrawal of therapy); non-compliance of owner or handler (failure to use supportive methods, failure to give physiotherapy between AP sessions, failure to accept advice re use of "Allweather" tracks, failure to rest horses with strained tendons etc). Other reasons include: coincidental disorders; inability of target organs to respond; psycho-somatic dependence in humans; failure in apparently straight-forward cases, in spite of AHSHI points; some patients may be "non-responders"; Karma ?
A less obvious and highly controversial factor is the mental state and "Energy Status" of the therapist. Many schools of Complementary Medicine teach that, to obtain the best clinical results, the therapist should be in good health and at peace with the self.
Modern Chinese Communists do not believe in a soul (a personal energy/ memory that exists independent of the body) that survives death. However, recent (unconfirmed) reports from China indicate that research in CH'I KUNG is producing exciting results. Mental and physical focusing/control of body Qi is possible. It can be learned and used for many purposes, including healing. Acupuncturists who are Masters of Qi Gong can often "sense" the location of disturbed Qi in the patient and can treat the disorder, without touching the patient, by directing their own Qi to the correct AP points.
Imbalanced Qi in the therapist may reduce clinical success. Focused intention (compassion, Tender Loving Care ?) has therapeutic value. Some clinicians with great knowledge (but little love) may prove inferior to those with great love (but little knowledge). And all of us have "down time", which may last days, weeks or longer.
In my opinion, top clinical success depends on the correct application of deep theoretical and intuitive knowledge, compliance of the patient/owner, ability of the defence systems to respond and the will of God that we (and our animals) be healed. In most cases, God is willing but we are weak !
REFERENCES