Acupuncture is an ancient treatment for chronic pain. It is a gentle and non-invasive procedure. It has been used for thousands of years to help people suffering from various conditions. Acupuncture is one of the most popular forms of alternative medicine, and many people swear by its benefits. But is acupuncture for pain as effective as it is made to be? Read on to learn more.
Symptoms
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing arts. However, until 1971, it was not widely accepted in the English-speaking world and was not regulated in the United States. However, acupuncture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a complementary and integrative treatment for pain.
Intense fatigue and emotional discharge are common side effects of acupuncture. Patients may feel worse after the first session, but these symptoms subside after the treatment. You can also apply red flower oil to the affected area to reduce the pain or take a painkiller. If you notice that the treatment has reduced your pain, talk to your acupuncturist to follow up with a follow-up appointment.
There are numerous complication reports of acupuncture for pain. However, most of them are relatively rare, with only two severe cases. Although the risks of infection, blood clots, and death remain high, they are generally treatable. One study looked at the serious complications of acupuncture and found that nearly half (50%) of patients recovered within one month. However, complications could be very serious in some cases, and the patient had to undergo several months of treatment before the condition was resolved.
One case reported in a Korean journal in 2003 shows the possibility of a pneumothorax during acupuncture. Infections from the acupuncture needle can be common, and a psoas abscess can develop. Infected patients generally present with fever, pain in the back and flank, and hip flexion contracture. In the case of this case, the patient exhibited less severe symptoms before admission to the hospital, but the risk of developing a septic shock is much higher.
Evidence
Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. The pinpricks of acupuncturists’ needles and the rubbing of patients’ arms may alleviate pain. But the most compelling explanation of acupuncture’s benefits is the placebo effect. This phenomenon applies to virtually any form of medicinal intervention, including acupuncture. While the placebo effect varies with condition and treatment, it seems particularly potent in pain management. This phenomenon also muddies the waters of scientific research on acupuncture.
A meta-analysis found that acupuncture was beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain. It reduced pain and improved sleep quality compared to sham treatments.
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