ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE
September 15th, 2008
Acupuncture has been acknowledged by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as an effective therapeutic method for the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions.
By increasing levels of opioids and endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, acupuncture produces an analgesic effect. Acupuncture points interconnect with specific pain points on the body. When stimulated, these points can alleviate pain by altering the distribution of pain signals through the nervous system. By stimulating pain inhibitory nerve fibers, acupuncture can reduce pain by minimizing pain signal input.
Acute and chronic pain, from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, occurs when the flow of chi, or vital energy, is obstructed in the body. Chi blockage can also result in tissue and organ dysfunction. Acupuncture reduces pain by balancing and strengthening chi flow throughout the body.
Acupuncture effectively treats a wide range of conditions that have a primary symptom of acute or chronic pain, including: Osteoarthritis, back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, neck and shoulder pain, musculoskeletal injuries, myofascial pain, joint pain, headaches, migraines, tennis elbow, tendonitis, sinus pain, fibromyalgia, and knee and ankle pain.
In chronic pain conditions, acupuncture points are frequently trigger points (painful muscle areas). Trigger point needling causes the painful muscle area to disappear. Back pain, sciatica, shoulder/arm pain, myofascial, and osteoarthritis have similar characteristics including: Inhibition of blood supply, alleviation of pain with warmth and a worsening of the pain severity with cold and damp. Most of these syndromes are related to trigger point activity and can be effectively treated with acupuncture.
TCM diagnoses of pain conditions identify several of these ailments and illnesses as Cold Bi syndromes. Acupuncture’s aim in the treatment of Cold Bi pain syndromes is to remove the obstruction to the flow of qi/blood and warm/nourish the muscles.
The near-and-far acupuncture technique is the most commonly used method for the resolution of acute and chronic pain states. Needles are placed at the trigger points (the “near” or local points) as well as distal points below the elbow or knee (points located away from the affected area), which induce muscle relaxation and have an analgesic effect.
The improved energy and reduced pain produced by acupuncture results in enhancing the body’s natural healing abilities
As a stand-alone therapy, acupuncture is effective in the treatment of symptomatic pain. Acupuncture is a treatment of choice for patients who are unable to tolerate medication side effects resulting from intake of analgesics, antidepressants and muscle relaxants. Acupuncture can also be safely integrated into a comprehensive health care program that includes both allopathic and complementary modalities.
For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Sept 13.
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