Acupuncture in Painful Conditions
Maria Zorawska M.D.
Reprinted in Electronic form with permission granted by Charles V. Burton, MD
From the website http://www.ilbnc.com/

 

The Institute for Low Back and Neck Care is a multispecialty facility entirely dedicated to the treatment of a wide variety of pathological conditions of the spine. While surgical treatment is reserved for a relatively small number of patients with disability due to nerve root or spinal cord compression, spinal deformities or major instability, the overwhelming majority of patients treated in our Institute require conservative, nonsurgical treatment. Physical Therapy, appropriate exercise, physical conditioning, job modification, judicial use of non-narcotic medications remain the mainstream of management of patients with chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Progress in surgical techniques and technology is being matched with constant refinement and continued innovation in the conservative care methods. At the same time we are now witnessing a resurgence of interest in many older, and even ancient, treatments. Alternative medicines now fast becoming an important part of mainstream medicine. Acupuncture is one of these methods, which continues to remain a focus of ever increasing interest and study as a safe method of alleviating chronic pain without resorting to more intrusive modalities of toxic drugs.

According to the ancient Chinese philosophy, acupuncture was designed to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This philosophy teaches that there are certain meridians (or channels) through which is a constant energy flow. The interruption of this energy flow may result in the development of neurogenic dysfunction, which can be reflected by symptoms such as pain. The needling of certain acupuncture points appears to be productive in reversing the obstruction of energy flow. A more contemporary and more physiological explanation of the beneficial effects of acupuncture suggests that needle placement into predetermined acupuncture points activates the neurohumoral system promoting the release of transmitter substances in the muscles, spinal

cord and brain. The release of these chemicals in turn is capable of modulating the perception of pain sensations.

Acupuncture may be used for a variety of acute and chronic painful conditions. In our practice, however, having long and mostly successful experience with traditional methods of treatment, we prefer to use acupuncture in conjunction with other established modalities of conservative treatment.

It should be clear that, as any other treatment, acupuncture does not work for everyone and a certain period of trial is usually necessary to establish whether this treatment will be effective in a given individual. Following a detailed clinical evaluation the actual procedure is explained to the patient.

Each session takes place in a private quiet room. Depending on the particular diagnosis and condition a number of specially designed disposable acupuncture needles are placed along well-established meridians. The number of needles may vary from a very few to 20 or more. Placement of the needles is typically not painful or minimally uncomfortable because of the very small diameter of the needles used. At times, the placement of the needles is the treatment itself. Frequently, however, to achieve the best possible result gentle electrical stimulation is added. This is usually felt as a relaxing non-painful sensation. Each session including needle placement usually takes around 30 minutes, 20 of which are used for the actual treatment. Following acupuncture treatment a feeling of general relaxation and some tiredness for the next several hours is common. Because of that, the activity, which may require peak performance, should be avoided. More detailed explanations and instructions, as well as answers to any relevant questions are given during the individual’s appointment.

Maria Zorawska M.D.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Spine Specialist.