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Acupuncture is an ancient practice in which very fine needles are inserted
into the skin at strategic points on the body to relieve pain and treat
disease. The Chinese developed acupuncture centuries ago in accordance with
the theory that energy flows through channels between the surface of the
body and internal organs.
Chinese medicine maintains that the more than 2,000 acupuncture points on
the human body connect with 12 main and eight secondary meridians or
channels. Pain and disease are the result of these channels becoming
blocked. By placing needles at one end of the channel or the other, healthy
energy can be restored.
Western medicine¡¯s view is that the placement of acupuncture needles at
specific pain points releases endorphins and opioids, the body¡¯s natural
painkillers, and perhaps immune system cells as well as neurotransmitters
and neurohormones in the brain. Research has shown that glucose and other
bloodstream chemicals become elevated after acupuncture.
According to the National Institutes of Health¡¯s National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there is also evidence that
stimulating acupuncture points enables electromagnetic signals to be relayed
at a greater rate than under normal conditions. This may increase the flow
of healing or pain-killing natural chemicals to injured areas.
When pain is relieved, patients feel a greater sense of well-being overall,
physically and emotionally. As a result, they may heal faster. Most
acupuncture points coincide with the ¡°trigger points¡± described by Janet G.
Travell, MD, whose textbook, Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction: The Trigger
Point Manual, is widely used at pain management centers in the Western
world.
How is it done?
Acupuncture needles
are metallic and sterile, used once and discarded. Needles are solid (not
hollow, as are hypodermic or vaccination needles) and are slightly bigger
than the width of human hair. Patients can feel the needle pierce the skin,
but there is no pain. The puncture site is usually swabbed with a
disinfectant beforehand. When the needle locates the trigger point, there
may be a ¡°grabbing¡± sensation, followed by a relaxed, heavy feeling and
overall body warmth. Some patients even fall asleep during treatment. Side
effects of acupuncture are rare, but there may be some soreness or light
headedness following treatment.
There are several acupuncture methods beyond simply inserting needles.
Sometimes a low electrical charge is sent through the needles and sometimes
the needles are heated with a heat lamp or ¡°moxa stick,¡± which is an herbal
heat source that looks and burns like a cigar. Sometimes two needles are
used at one trigger point. Sometimes the needles are twirled or manipulated
by hand, and sometimes needles aren¡¯t used at all, but trigger points are
massaged instead.
Acupuncture at the Jane B. Pettit Comprehensive Pain Management Center
At the pain management center at Children¡¯s Hospital of Wisconsin, a major
affiliate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, the first acupuncture
treatment typically consists of inserting needles in the body and points on
the ear that correspond with body trigger points. Trigger points are
determined by the location of pain. For example, trigger points for treating
headaches include locations on the thumb, knee and wrist. Knee pain may be
treated with needles inserted into the toe, face and arm.
The pain management center has used acupuncture with success in treating
conditions such as fibromyalgia (a chronic pain condition affecting muscles
and connective tissues), chronic headaches, neck pain from whiplash, knee
and hip pain from arthritis, chronic abdominal pain, asthma, pain caused by
sickle-cell anemia and even shingles (a painful rash caused by a virus).
According to a National Institutes of Health panel, convened in November of
1997, clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is helpful in treating
nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy, dental pain
after surgery, addiction, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow,
fibromyalgia, myofascial (connective tissue) pain, osteoarthritis, lower
back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, and to assist in stroke
rehabilitation. The World Health Organization lists more than 40 conditions
for which acupuncture may be used.
More and more, acupuncture is being used to supplement other forms of
treatment, which is one reason patients often turn to a physician who has
training in both Western medicine and acupuncture. Organizations such as the
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, National Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine Alliance. and American Association of Oriental Medicine provide
lists of credentialed acupuncture practitioners.
At the pain management center, insurance pays for acupuncture treatments for
about 70% of patients. Otherwise, a standard acupuncture session by a
physician trained in acupuncture costs $50-70. More than one treatment is
typically required for results, although some patients feel better after one
session.
Lynn M. Rusy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Medical College of Wisconsin
Associate Director
Jane B. Pettit Comprehensive Pain Management Center
Children¡¯s Hospital of Wisconsin
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Information resource:
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/987115954.html |
