Although the literature is overflowing with positive reports on acupuncture, few good randomized control studies have been done. The most noteworthy of these is one that was published in the British Medical Journal and concerned Electrical Acupuncture in Fibromyalgia.1 To date, Electro-acupuncture appears to be the single most effective therapy for fibromyalgia. Would I use it solely in treating my patients with fibromyalgia? No, because there are several other approaches which appear to help patients with fibromyalgia.
I would ask my medical colleagues to consider acupuncture in those patients who have conditions for which our standard western approach has had little success or for which our interventions are associated with serious side effects and/or morbidity.
Some conditions for which I've had a good response with acupuncture
include:
Bell's Palsy
peripheral neuropathies
asthma
irritable bowel
hepatitis C
chronic fatigue syndrome
sciatica
menopausal symptoms
rotator cuff syndrome
knee pain/mild menisci tears
wrist tendonitis
viral sinusitis
Herpes zoster disorders
lat./med. epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
interstitial cystitis
compression fracture pain
benign tachyarrythmias (palpitations)
stop smoking aid
pre-menstrual problems
repetitive stress disorder
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
chronic pain disorders
If patients are going to respond to Acupuncture eighty percent of them do within the first two to three treatments.2 Some insurances cover acupuncture.
With regard to hospitalized patients, post-operative pain control problems
or ileus problems may respond to appropriate electrical stimulation. Obstetrical
patients can be helped. One might also help with the asthmatic who is on
maximum therapy yet responding poorly. There are patients who are reticent
with regard to "alternative" approaches and those who prefer
them. I also hope I might be of assistance with those patients who prefer
alternative therapies but clearly would benefit from standard therapies.
1 Deluze C, Bosje L; Electrical Acupuncture in Fibromyalgia:
results of a controlled trial, British Medical Journal, (1992 November
21st) 305 (6864):1249-52.
2 Rotchford J; Medical Outcome Research and Acupuncture, The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture Review, (1991, Spring/Summer) 3(1): 3-6.
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