Acupuncture as an Alternative Treatment

In March 2008, Peter Valaskatgis published a case study concerning a 72-year old female suffering from post-herpetic neuralgia and atrial fibrillation (AF). Over a period of four months, the woman underwent two series of acupuncture treatments (20 treatments in four months. Although the authors state that "further studies are warranted to explore these observations of a possible effect of acupuncture on both atrial fibrillation and post-herpetic neuralgia" (abstract), they also report that the woman experienced pain levels reduced by 67%.

On their website, the National Pain Foundation has stated, "Little quality research has been done to accurately reflect the benefit of acupuncture for treating TN but it can be effective for some people." Indeed, many patients have experienced positive results with acupuncture for all kinds of pain, including neuralgias. However, it is important to note that, at the very least, most patients continue taking medications- at a reduced dosage- or herbal supplements to complement the acupuncture procedures. Today, the problems between acupuncture and modern medicine are the fundamental understandings of the body that guides each practice. Acupuncture originated in China and involves placing long, thin needles into areas of the body where bad health occurs. To an acupuncturist, these health problems arise from a blocked "channel" within the body, through which energy, or "qi" normally flows.

Typical acupuncture procedures involve the insertion of anywhere between one and twenty needles into the body. The needles may just break the surface, or be inserted into the skin by several inches (obviously, longer needles are inserted into deeper layers of muscle/fat, or along the skin just beneath the surface). The location of the needles is entirely dependent on the pain the patient is experiencing, although there are several established insertion points for patients suffering neuralgia. Usually, the needles are left in the body for 15 to 30 min, but sometimes they are removed after only a few seconds. For a stronger effect, or with patients who have more persistent pain, the needles are warmed or electrically charged—don’t worry, though! This occurs after the needles have been inserted and produces no additional pain.

The NIH has concluded that “adverse side effects of acupuncture are extremely low and often lower than conventional treatments.” For every 10,000 procedures, it is estimated there are 671 cases of adverse effects, including: bleeding, bruising, dizziness, fainting, nausea, and increased pain (all typically minor). Although acupuncture is technically an “invasive” procedure because it involves needles, few patients experience sensations stronger than tingling. The needles are much thinner (and safer) than a typical hypodermic needle because they are not hollow; they also come to a smoother point. In the U.S., needles must be sterilized and can only be used once. Also, there are styles of Japanese acupuncture that never actually penetrate the skin. Generally fees range from $60-120 per session. The initial treatment is usually longer and more comprehensive and usually costs more, and often discount prices are available for “package” treatments. For more price details, see http://www.costhelper.com/cost/health/acupuncture.html

Although there is no data to refute or support the hypothesis (Cheng 2009), it is generally believed that acupuncture works by locally stimulating the affected nerve. Studies with animals have demonstrated increased blood flow in nerves by acupuncture, presumably helping the nerve heal or prevent it from overcompensating for a lack of sensation (Cheng, Neuroanatomical Basis of Acupuncture Treatment for Some Common Illnesses). For muscle pain, studies show that acupuncture needles stimulate nerve fibers in the muscle and cause minor tissue damage that triggers a local healing response, including blood flow (Cheng 2009). Unfortunately, no mechanism has been likewise established for pain that is exclusively associated with a nerve.

Basically, the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture states that at least one study has indicated the success of acupuncture in treating neuralgias. However, the benefits are inherently difficult to test scientifically because there is no easy reconciliation between the concept of "energy levels" that guides acupuncture and the Western understanding of nerve mechanisms. Additionally, it is hard to create tests that are “controlled,” because acupuncture administration is so dependent on the patients’ pain sensation. Regardless, many people have experienced pain relief from acupuncture, over the course of several treatments (some physicians attribute this to the placebo effect, and indeed there is a large association between acupuncture and mental health, but again no link has been substantiated). If you are considering acupuncture, the primary considerations you must remember are: check that your acupuncturist is well-trained, with credentials, and will be using sterile needles. Initially, you would probably not need electrical or heat stimulation, but your acupuncturist’s decision to use either treatment immediately is certainly not indicative of a bad procedure.