Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years for relief from pain and other physical problems. As we move into the era of modern, advanced medicine, acupuncture still has a place as a non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive effective treatment.
What is Acupuncture?
Originating in China, acupuncture has been in use for over 2000 years. Traditionally, the practice was designed to balance the ‘Qi’ ( pronounced chi) of the body. Qi is the energy that flows through our bodies via channels called ‘meridians’, and if any blockages or imbalances occur, pain and illness can result. This imbalance could be caused by toxins in your environment, too much or too little physical activity, too much or too little food, and strong emotions. Small sterile needles are placed painlessly at energy points relating to the symptoms of unwellness. Inserting these needles at certain energy points along the ‘meridians’ unblock the obstruction, allowing qi to reflow along these energy pathways. This manipulation regulates the flow of energy, bringing the body back to equilibrium of yin and yang.
The Science: Why Does Acupuncture for Pain Management Work?
Modern science has tried to find other explanations more inline with their language and beliefs and have looked at other studies and diagnostic tools to understand the biological basis for the healing. Research published in the Anaesthesia & Analgesia Journal suggests that acupuncture triggers the release of neurotransmitters, naturally occurring opioids, and activates c-fos in the central nervous system. It increases circulation and nitric oxide.
In plain English, acupuncture prompts the body to produce natural painkillers. It increases circulation, aiding the body to reduce swelling. It changes how pain information is received and processed by the spinal cord and brain.
This makes acupuncture an effective way to treat inflammation and the way it is processed in the body. It has very few side effects, it is non-invasive and gentle. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments.
Acupuncture for headaches
While the triggers for headaches and migraines differ from person to person, the outcome and pain response is the same. WHO ranks migraines as one of the top twenty causes of healthy life lost to disability.There are two types of headaches: General headaches, and migraines.
Migraines & acupuncture
Migraines are headaches that last between 4 to 72 hours, and involve moderate to severe pain which is worsened by physical activity. Migraines often feature sensitivity to light and noise, physical symptoms in limbs such as tingling, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, migraines are so severe that they actually cause brain damage.While drugs can help, often people struggle to find a combination of pharmaceuticals that is effective, and drugs often have adverse side effects.Migraines are caused by neuron dysfunction. These neurons cause vasodilation which trigger neurotransmitter release of serotonin, among other things.
General headaches & acupuncture
General headaches can be caused by stress, tiredness, anxiety, and poor posture. These lead to vasoconstriction- a narrowing of the blood vessels. The pain is mild to moderate, on both sides of the head, and does not worsen with physical activity. Duration of headaches can be from minutes to days.Needles are inserted in specific points on the body which send signals to the brain to direct blood flow to the affected area. The increased nitric oxide causes vasodilation, which is when blood vessels widen. This helps to relieve the headache.
“…acupuncture is more effective for the treatment of chronic headache when compared with sham acupuncture, medication treatment, and waiting list option” (Sherman, KJ, Coeytaux, RR 2010)
There is little to no risk of any problems or side effects from acupuncture if carried out by a trained professional. Following treatment, there can be a euphoric or light-headed feeling or possible muscle ‘flutterings’.
How does acupuncture help relieve headaches?
Over 31 studies were reviewed that showed that acupuncture was superior to medication in reducing intensity of pain and frequency of the headaches. If you have tried everything and nothing has worked, acupuncture may help where modern conventional medicine cannot. The side effects of so many medications can be just as crippling as the migraine itself, whereas acupuncture has almost no side effects, and no serious side effects.Acupuncture provides pain relief by encouraging release of the body’s natural painkillers and endorphins. It also can help by changing the way pain is processed in the spinal cord and brain. It reduces inflammation by helping the body to manage dilation and contraction of veins, allowing better blood flow both in the brain and body.
If you have tried everything, and nothing has helped to relieve the pain, acupuncture has thousands of years of successful treatment. If you are reluctant to use pharmaceutical interventions or find that the side effects are unpleasant, then acupuncture has minor or no side effects. Acupuncture can be part or all of your pain management strategy.
Headaches and neck pain
Where there is a headache of any sort, there is often neck pain that precedes and accompanies it. Two-thirds of headache sufferers report stiffness and tightness in the neck. The tense neck muscles may have existed prior to the headache, but it’s likely that the pain from the head exacerbates the neck pain. Often, if you resolve the neck pain, the headache leaves.
Acupuncture Reflexology Model Mannequin
Acupuncture for neck pain
Most people will experience neck pain in their life. While much is minor and will self-resolve, there are cases of serious and disabling pain that does not relieve by itself. These cases need treatment by professional. Pain can include headaches, numbness of arms and shoulders, dull throbbing pain, and radiating sharp pain. It can be caused by sudden injury (such as whiplash) or long term posture issues, for instance from sitting at a desk for long periods of time.Conventional treatment includes remaining active, physiotherapy, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and cortisone treatments. These may or may not work, or may work sporadically.”…confirmed the short-term effectiveness and efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of neck pain.” (Fu LM, Li JT, Wu WS 2009)
Acupuncture has been found to provide relief in the short term for neck pain. It stimulates nerves in muscles and tissue, helping to release endorphins and natural painkillers. It reduces inflammation by helping circulation. The increased circulation helps the swilling to disperse, improving muscle stiffness and increasing joint mobility.
Acupuncture for back pain
Millions of people suffer from chronic back pain, which significantly affects their life and ability to carry out employment and family responsibilities. While some back pain is caused by traumatic injury, most is caused by minor sprains and strains or a pinched or irritated nerve.Studies have shown that acupuncture is more effective than no treatment and as good as standard conventional medical treatment. It is most useful when used in conjunction with conventional treatment of painkilling drugs and rehabilitative physiotherapy and exercises. This is ideal for those with severe pain and those with a desire to avoid use of painkilling drugs.It may be effective for pregnancy-induced pain caused by the weight of the baby which makes the hips tilt, placing pressure on the back. It also can be helpful for pain caused from work injuries or back strain from sitting long periods at a computer.
Acupuncture works by stimulating nerves in muscles, causing release of natural painkillers and endorphins. It also can change processing of pain via the brain and spinal cord. It reduces inflammation, with improved blood flow to the affected area which helps minimise swelling and bruising.
Acupuncture Patient - Back Pain Treatment
Acupuncture for sciatica
Sciatica is also called lumbar radiculopathy. A nerve root is impinged and/or inflamed, and has been aggravated for so long that it progresses to neurological symptoms. These can include pain, numbness and paraesthesia in the areas that are affected by the nerve. This can include the front and back of the leg, even down to the foot in some cases. Sciatica almost always has back pain associated with it, and poor mobility. Pain is present when trying to raise the affected leg, and it can be very sharp pain.While prognosis is good, the pain is commonly present for up to a year or longer. Conventional advice is to continue being active, take anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and possibly cortisone injections. However, these are not always effective and the pain can be debilitating.Acupuncture is better than no treatment, and is as good as or better than conventional treatment. It stimulates nerves deep in the muscles and tissues, released endorphins and natural pain killers. It changes and minimises the way the brain and spinal cord process information. There are also increased vascular flow which clears inflammation and decreases muscle soreness, stiffness, and increases mobility. It also promotes regeneration of the sciatic nerve. Acupuncture offers a holistic treatment of sciatic nerve pain which may offer relief that other treatments have not.
Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy
Dozens of research studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in treating Peripheral Neuropathy (PN).
Whether diabetic PN, chemotherapy PN, PN in HIV/AIDS, or PN of unknown reasons (idiopathic) research shows acupuncture can ease both the pain and numbness PN causes by improving nerve function.
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Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) includes a 4 yr full-time degree in Chinese Medicine
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