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SAR's Evidence Based Assessments

Every month, an average of 100 acupuncture-related articles are published in more than 50 journals. To stay current, your team would need to spend hours combing through journals - practically impossible.

This is where the Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) can help you.

If you are not currently a member of SAR, consider joining today so that you can benefit from the breadth and depth of SAR’s expertise.

SAR’s Evidence-Based Assessments are based on the same reports created for use by insurance companies in substantiating insurance claims, in curriculum development, to generate innovative hypotheses, and educating physicians and patients.

As an acupuncture professional, whether you are a practitioner, researcher, or educator, you need to stay informed and up-to-date on your field of practice.With a solid base of knowledge, you will be better equipped to provide superior service to those who come to you for help.

Therefore, you need to be aware of relevant research that supports, or sometimes negates, acupuncture treatment for various conditions.

What is the best way to stay informed? You could spend countless hours combing through research studies to analyze and compile results to inform your work. Or, you could keep the status quo, and receive the same results you have now.

Current conditions in the SAR Evidence-Based Assessments Library include:

Allergic Rhinitis

Rhinitis is categorized into three subgroups: allergic rhinitis (AR), infectious rhinitis, and non-allergic, non-infectious rhinitis.

This EBA Summary focuses on the treatment of allergic rhinitis…

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Anxiety

Anxiety is a general term that encompasses several specific sub-conditions.

This summary focuses on: 1) Generalized anxiety disorder, and 2) Specific phobias, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed; DSM V)...

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Asthma

TCM describes asthma as an “illness [that] is characterized by repeated attacks of paroxysmal dyspnea with wheezing”.

The TCM view recognizes three major organ systems involved with asthma: the lung, spleen/ stomach, and kidney systems…

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Bell's Palsy

Bell’s palsy is categorized by rapid onset of unilateral facial paralysis and symptoms typically peak within 72 hours.

While Bell’s palsy is the most common reason for facial paralysis, ruling out other conditions is paramount and the diagnosis remains one of exclusion…

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The key pathophysiologic variable in CTS is compression of the distal median nerve by an elevated pressure in the carpal tunnel, usually secondary to flexor tenosynovitis.

Injury to the median nerve induces a range of sensory symptoms…

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Depression

People experiencing depression often present with patterns that result from the interaction of four main disease mechanisms: 1) Liver depression with qi stagnation; 2) disruption in the heart’s ability to enfold the shen or spirit; 3) vacuity of qi, blood, yin or yang…

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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with a diminished quality of life due to chronic diffuse pain, fatigue, sleep disruptions, and digestive disorders.

The etiopathology of FM is unknown and the absence of any definitive treatment has resulted in…

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Headache

From the perspective of TCM, headache has three primary etiological factors, each with unique pattern diagnoses: 1) external pathogens (e.g. wind-damp-cold), 2) internal disharmony (e.g. liver Qi disharmony), or 3) lifestyle imbalances…

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Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia, commonly known as elevated cholesterol and/or triglycerides, is primarily categorized as either primary (genetic) or secondary (acquired).

This Overview of Research will focus on primary hyperlipidemia…

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Hypertension

From the perspective of TCM, essential hypertension is a modern concept; i.e. it was not discussed in classical texts.[65]

The blending of modern medicine with classical TCM concepts has led to two primary categorizations: either a deficiency or excess condition…

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain, as well as altered bowel function/habits.

Patients are generally categorized as one of four sub-types, based on bowel habits: 1) IBS with constipation (IBS-C); 2) IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)…

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Lower Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) is defined as pain or stiffness inferior to the costal margin and superior to the inferior gluteal folds, with or without sciatica.

Non-specific chronic low back pain (cLBP) is reported as the most common cause of pain and disability…

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Menopause

The most common symptoms of menopause, hot flushing and night sweats, are generally referred to as vasomotor symptoms.

Other common symptoms include sleep disturbances, low energy, vaginal dryness, and mental health issues (e.g. depression)…

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Neck Pain

Cervical neck pain is a complex disorder with various etiologies and classifications. In broad terms, the condition can be divided into 1) acute, 2) sub-acute and 3) chronic categories.

This EBA summary focuses on chronic cervical neck pain (i.e. neck pain)…

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Pediatrics

Several reviews suggest that acupuncture is a safe intervention within the pediatric population.

Yet, a survey from Germany found that 18% of pediatricians were dismissive of CIH therapies, whereas only 3% of general practitioners felt this way…

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Rhinitis / Sinusitis

Sinusitis commonly refers to an infection and/or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and nasal passages.

Rarely occurring in the absence of rhinitis, the condition is more aptly named rhinosinusitis. Rhinitis and (rhino)sinusitis are frequently associated…

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Shoulder Pain

The majority of acupuncture-based research for shoulder pain has been conducted on two broad categories of shoulder disorders: chronic shoulder pain and rotator cuff disorders.

Chronic shoulder pain is categorized as pain lasting longer than six months...

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