DID YOU KNOW?
The efficacy of acupuncture for pain management is recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for more than 70 types of conditions, including neck and back pain, tennis elbow, knee pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and sciatica.
Today, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has emerged as a prominent alternative go-to treatment for chronic health problems, and more recently, it has also been widely documented as an effective way to manage pain. While skeptics dismiss TCM treatments such as acupuncture and cupping to the placebo effect, various studies have shown that acupuncture can be as effective as painkiller drugs – only without the side effects.
Chronic Pain
A research aptly coded The Journal Of Pain studied the efficacy of one of TCM’s most popular treatment, acupuncture. Patients were sent on 16 acupuncture visits, and findings shown that acupuncture was particularly relevant for pain relief. The study not only recommended acupuncture as a viable option for patients with chronic pain, but also called for additional research to determine the best way of incorporating acupuncture into patient care.
Lower Back Pain
Another study that was published in Medical Journal Of Australia finds acupuncture is as effective as medication in treating pain for lower back pain and ankle sprain. A vast majority of 80% of patients who undergone the acupuncture treatment were satisfied with the treatment. Apart from this, the study also revealed that various emergency department doctors who practiced in both public and private hospitals in Australia were treating patients’ pain with acupuncture.
Cancer Pain
A study even took it a step further to study the effects of acupuncture on terminally ill cancer patients. The study found a moderate level of evidence that acupuncture and/or acupressure was significantly associated with lower pain intensity in patients with cancer, and further suggested that a combination of acupuncture and acupressure be administered to help the patient in pain relief.
TCM For Pain
For most cases, acupuncture is the main treatment administered by TCM physicians for effective pain relief. However, TCM can also goes beyond by resolving pain management issues through oral herbal medication, acupuncture, cupping, or even a combination of the three. Through a TCM diagnostic, a TCM physician can identify any digestive issues and prescribe the right treatment. Herbal medicine and acupuncture can be administered together to ensure better efficacies for more rapid and effective pain relief. This may prove particularly convenient for some who dislike the bitter taste in herbs and opt for acupuncture instead, and vice versa for those with a fear of needles.
