The International Association for the Study of Pain has defined pain as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience resulting from actual or potential tissue damage. Chronic pain may be defined as pain that lasts beyond the usual course of the acute disease or expected time of healing, and it may continue indefinitely.
Typical chronic pain conditions include: osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; low back, shoulder and neck pain; headache and migraine; cancer pain; fibromyalgia; neuropathic pain (e.g. sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, post herpetic neuralgia); chronic overuse conditions (e.g. tendonitis); and chronic visceral pain (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis).
How acupuncture can help
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for anxiety.
Acupuncture can help relieve chronic pain by stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors (e.g. neuropeptide Y, serotonin), and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord. It can also reduce inflammation & improve micro-circulation.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that can cause pain, stiffness, progressive joint destruction and deformity, and reduce physical function, quality of life and life expectancy. Estimates indicate that around 0.5-1.0% of the UK population have rheumatoid arthritis.
The course of rheumatoid arthritis is variable, following a pattern of relapses and remissions. However, within about 2 years of diagnosis, patients usually have moderate disability and, after 10 years, around 30% are severely disabled.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is, as yet, unknown. Infection with a micro-organism in those genetically susceptible, hormonal influences, obesity, diet, and cigarette smoking have all been implicated as risk factors.
The aim of treatment is to control pain and inflammation, reduce joint damage, disability and loss of function, achieve low disease activity or remission, and improve quality of life. A variety of drugs are used.
How acupuncture can help
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress. It has also be shown to reduce inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors, promote micro-circulation and reduce swelling.
Acupuncture treatment may help to relieve pain and improve function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
POST-OPERATIVE PAIN
Pain after surgery is common, often severe and can prolong hospital stay. There is now evidence that post-operative pain relief has significant physiological & physical benefit as it can result in earlier discharge from hospital and it may also reduce the onset of chronic pain syndromes. Nevertheless, post-operative pain remains grossly under treated, with up to 70% of patients reporting moderate to severe pain following surgery.
The goal for postoperative pain management is to reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort with a minimum of side effects.
How acupuncture can help
Systematic reviews suggest that acupuncture and ear acupuncture are useful adjunctive treatments for post-operative pain management. Several recent trials have found acupuncture and electro-acupuncture to reduce post-operative pain, the use of patient-controlled analgesia (opioids), and post-operative nausea and vomiting.
In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for anxiety.
Acupuncture may help relieve post-operative pain by altering the brain’s chemistry, increasing endorphins and neuropeptide Y levels and reducing serotonin levels.