Acupuncture’s Effectiveness in Relieving Pain

 

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice dating back over 2,000 years. I first heard about acupuncture while driving with two nuns deep into the New Mexico desert. I was a bit taken back by these two religious women who discussed their struggles with pain and their deep belief in this medical practice. I listened intently to their stories of relief each experienced and how they never missed an opportunity to go while in town. Now many years later, I decided to learn about this medical practice as a viable option for pain relief and other medicinal possibilities. The following is a brief overview and examination of acupuncture’s effectiveness in relieving pain.    

Overview

First, let’s take a look at acupuncture belief, tradition, and method. Traditional Chinese medicine holds the belief that individuals have a life force/energy labeled Qi (enunciated chee), which runs through 12 meridians connected to major organ functioning. When the strength and quality of Qi energy is disrupted, acupuncture is administered to restore the flow of energy through the meridian channels and organs returning one’s health, balance, and wellbeing. To restore Qi energy flow, an acupuncture practitioner stimulates various points along the meridian channels by inserting slender needles. Western/conventional acupuncture professionals utilizing this treatment method moved away from traditional concepts and terminology shifting focus to physiology and human anatomy while still continuing the ancient practice of stimulating various trigger points on the body.

Source: Vickers, Andrew; Zollman, Catherine ABC of complementary medicine, British Medical Journal, 1999; 319:973-976.

Intraoperative (during surgery) Analgesic

                Researchers enlisted sixty-four patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery to participate in a double blind study to find if auricular acupuncture reduced analgesic necessity. Participants received general anesthesia with “volatile anesthetic isofiurane and opioid analgesic

fentanyl, whereby isofiurane concentration was kept constant”. The study found acupuncture group participants requested 21% less fentanyl (a heavy duty opioid agonist) during surgery than the group not receiving acupuncture. These findings suggest auricular acupuncture holds potential use during major surgery as a complementary intraoperative analgesia.

Source:

Usichenko, Taras I.; Dinse, Michaela; Lysenyuk, Victor P.; Wendt, Michael; Pavlovic, Dragan; Lehmann, Christian. Auricular Acupuncture Reduces Intraoperative Fentanyl Requirement During Hip Arthroplasty -- A Randomized Double-Blinded Study. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research; 2006, Vol. 31 Issue 3/4.

Cancer Pain Relief

Researchers in the Pain Management Unit at the Institut Gustave Roussy, a comprehensive cancer center in France, studied the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture for neuropathic chronic pain emerging after cancer treatment, which is known for being resistant to pain analgesic drugs. Over the course of two months, researchers followed ninety patients broken into three groups including one placebo grouping. The study’s results show a 36% pain decline from baseline in patients receiving auricular acupuncture whereas the placebo group only reported a 2% decline, which is statistically significant. The researchers assert, “Acupuncture activates central brain pathways, thus inhibiting the maladaptive reflex that contributes to neuropathic pain”.

Source: David Alimi; Carole Rubino; Evelyne Pichard-Léandri; Sabine Fermand-Brulé, Marie-Laure Dubreuil-Lemaire; & Catherine Hill, Analgesic Effect of Auricular Acupuncture for Cancer Pain: A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Trial, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 21, Issue 22 (November), 2003: 4120-4126

These few articles on acupuncture’s pain reliving effectiveness and possibilities are just the tip of the iceberg. Additionally, the World Health Organization developed a comprehensive report examining acupuncture research on a wide range of health concerns. To check out this report click here. We will take a look at other health concerns benefited by acupuncture in future blog entries.

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Comments

[Kennedy]

This is a proven science now! That's pretty amazing. I remember when people said it was like Chinese magic. No one really knew if it worked or not. I like the fact that I can move the sprayers in my steam shower to my lower back. That has been a big reason for buyin this thing. Thanks a million My Bath!

[Coleton]

Acupuncture’s much like acupressure? I see how getting water to spray on certain parts of the body may relax you. Does this really stop pain though? I'd like to try this out! I have a space about 7X7X9. Ya have a bunch that will fit but I'd like a little input from the My Bath Pro's if at all possible. Thanks again!