title: Significant neurological improvement in two patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after 4 weeks of treatment with acupuncture injection point therapy using enercel.
abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, uniformly fatal, degenerative disorder of the upper motor neurons that does not currently have an effective treatment regimen. Here, we report two patients with ALS who were treated with 4 weeks of acupuncture injection point therapy using Enercel. These patients were administered 0.25-0.5 cc Enercel Plus IM to specific acupuncture points for 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Patient #1 presented with flaccid paralysis of all four extremities and impaired speech and swallowing. By Week 4, she demonstrated significant improvement in her motor strength in all four extremities (R>L) and improved speech and swallowing. However, she did not continue to receive the Enercel acupoint injections, and she subsequently demonstrated a slow, progressive loss of neurological function during the ensuing 3 months, as shown on follow-up examinations. Patient #2 had significantly impaired speech and mild motor loss in the upper extremities and the left leg. After 4 weeks of treatment, his voice had significantly improved to the point where his speech was understandable and his motor functions had returned to normal. He continued receiving Enercel acupoint injections during the 3-month follow-up period and his clinical improvements were maintained. Thus, these two patients with ALS showed clinical improvements after 4 weeks of Enercel acupoint injection therapy. Follow-up data suggests that ongoing therapy may be necessary in order to maintain these positive effects. This preliminary study merits further study and confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Sarasota, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christner
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Du Laux
authors.forename: Dariel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laurent
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts