| While World AIDS Day on December 1 fuels awareness of the disease and the medical advances that have been made towards finding a cure, AIDS and HIV have been well-known conditions since storming onto the public stage in the early 1980s. Though there is still no known cure for AIDS, holistic therapies such as Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture may offer relief for the more than 10 million people who are HIV positive or are living with AIDS in the United States.
By stimulating key pathways in the body called meridians, acupuncture releases =endorphins in the brain. These endorphins have been shown to reduce pain and calm the body, which can enhance its natural defense system. Acupuncture also raises the amount of white blood cells, T-cells and anti-bodies in the body, which increase the body's level of immunity - a very important benefit for those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are nontoxic and have no side effects when prescribed by a licensed acupuncturist or herbalist. Many HIV/AIDS patients have reported a general increase in health and well-being due to acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture has been cited by the World Health Organization to treat over 43 conditions, many of which are also symptoms of AIDS. These include abnormal sweating, muscle weakness, and the harsh chemical therapies typically prescribed for AIDS, such as diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. The Oriental Medical Center verified this in a study of 103 adults with HIV or AIDS who were treated solely with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. After receiving several treatments, 66 percent of the 103 adults who participated in this study showed marked improvement.
For more information on how Oriental medicine can help those diagnosed with AIDS, please call Pacific College at (800) 729-0941, or visit www.PacificCollege.edu | 
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