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Acupuncture treatment for Autism

Acupuncture in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders is usually related with the acupuncture po
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http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31756
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3235695/
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Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child’s life. These signs often develop gradually, though some children with autism reach their developmental milestones at a normal pace and then regress. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent in early childhood, typically before age three.1

 

CONTENTS


SYMPTOMS

CAUSES

TREATMENTS

 

SYMPTOMS


Subjects with the autism disorder usually have difficulties to interact with other people. Other symptoms of this condition are: showing little emotion or empathy, having little or no spoken language, insisting on following routines and to become easily upset by change, and liking to flutter their fingers at the side of their eyes to watch the light flicker.2

 

CAUSES


It has long been presumed that there is a common cause at the genetic, cognitive, and neural levels for autism’s characteristic triad of symptoms. However, there is increasing suspicion that autism is instead a complex disorder whose core aspects have distinct causes that often co-occur.3 Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex. Complexity arises due to interactions among multiple genes, the environment, and epigenetic factors which do not change DNA sequencing but are heritable and influence gene expression.4

Several lines of evidence point to synaptic dysfunction as a cause of autism. Some rare mutations may lead to autism by disrupting some synaptic pathways, such as those involved with cell adhesion. Gene replacement studies in mice suggest that autistic symptoms are closely related to later developmental steps that depend on activity in synapses and on activity-dependent changes.5

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy, especially heavy metals and particulates, may increase the risk of autism. Environmental factors claimed to contribute to or exacerbate autism include certain foods, infectious diseases, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic products, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, vaccines, and prenatal stress.6

 

TREATMENTS


The following acupoints are to be stimulated depending on the treatment principles. Acupoints CF-14, KD-3 and BL-23 are used for tonifying kidney, yang and treat water. HT-7, P-6, ST-40 and KD-3 are used for treating fire and resolving damp (humidity). The acupoint ST-40 is used to resolve phlegm. To clear damp and heat SP-9, P-6, TH-5, ST-44 and CV-15 are used. The following acupoints are used for resolving phlegm, nourishing blood and treating metal: P-5, ST-40, BL-17, BL-20, LU-3, LI-18. Now, to resolve damp, to smooth liver, to improve qi, the following acupoints are described: SP-9, LV-3, P-6, TB-5.7

One study shows very positive results for autism using the following acupoints: Sishen Xue, Dingshen Sanxue (3 points for mental tranquilization), Nao Sanxue (3 points for the function of the brain), Shou Zhisanxue (3 points for mental activities on the hand) and Zozhi Sonxue (3 points for mental activities on the foot). Needles on the 4 extremities were withdrawn first after 30 minutes. Treatments were applied once a day, and 3 months was taken as one observation cycle.8

Another study shows that acupuncture in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders is usually related with the head area. Therefore, one method of acupuncture treatment herein proposed for autism disorder is scalp acupuncture, which is targeting the acupuncture point near the ear area.9

Footnotes

  1. What Is Autism? – autismspeaks.org – 2017, https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
  2. Autistic disorder – raisingchildren.net.au – 2017, http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/autistic_disorder_signs_and_symptoms.html
  3. Home > About Autism > Causes – autism-society.org – 2017, http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/causes/
  4. Autism – Pediatr Clin North Am – 2008, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031395508001569/
  5. Autism and brain development – Cell – 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18984148/
  6. The epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders – Annu Rev Public Health – 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17367287
  7. A feasibility study of acupuncture for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder – European Journal of Oriental Medicine – 2014, http://www.acupuncturecollege.org.uk/info/publications/articles-and-research/a-feasibility-study-of-acupuncture-for-the-treatment-of-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder/
  8. Treatment of autism children: observation on efficacy of behavior training with retention of needles on head – Zhongguo Zhen Jiu – 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24032193
  9. Acupuncture for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders – Evid Based Complement Alternat Med – 2012, http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/679845/