Acupuncture and Pain
by Ingrid Masi
Neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, menstrual pain………Pain, especially chronic pain, can be particularly debilitating. It can affect our moods, our social interactions, our relationships, our ability to work and even our ability to perform ordinary daily tasks.
Acupuncture is one therapy that has been repeatedly proven to be effective in the management of pain. A study was recently conducted in over 18,000 patients and doctors from eight universities and hospitals in the UK, the U.S. and Germany. The results, which were published by the American Medical Association in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2013) demonstrated that in conditions such as arthritis and chronic headache, “acupuncture was twice as effective as the drugs and exercise recommended by most doctors.”
That’s right, twice as effective.
Aside from arthritis and headaches, acupuncture is known to reduce many other types of pain including post-surgical pain. This can include post operative oral or dental surgery, abdominal surgery, and joint reconstructions amongst others. Acupuncture can also be effective in reducing pain and discomfort caused by scarring and adhesions.
Many studies have also confirmed acupuncture as one of the best therapies to alleviate knee pain, especially caused by osteoarthritis, and a British study has even proven acupuncture to be a low cost, effective alternative to knee replacements.
It can also be used for those with chronic pain diseases such fibromyalgia and cancer and has been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for those suffering with serious disease.
A course of acupuncture would be recommended for most pain (around six treatments), although several conditions, such as a recent onset of Achilles tendonitis, can respond perfectly in less three treatments. If the underlying imbalance is also fully addressed, then the chance of recurrence is reduced significantly.
If you have a lingering pain issue that has not been resolved, then try acupuncture from a registered acupuncturist. It may well be answer for you.