Pain Relief with Acupuncture

Acupuncture has proven to be a very successful treatment for pain relief as it appears to stimulate the release of endorphins and enkephalins, the body's natural pain-killing chemicals. David Eisenberg, M.D. Clinical Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School states that, "There is evidence that acupuncture influences the production and distribution of a great many neurotransmitters (substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain) and neuromodulators (substances produced by neurons which affect neurotransmitters), and that this in turn alters the perception of pain."

Acupuncture has become one of the most popular and accepted unconventional therapies within the United States. An estimated 15 million Americans have tried this therapy. It is offered for chronic pain and is covered by some insurers and managed health organizations. The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture for morethan 40 conditions as diverse as asthma and chronic pain.  The Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices, the same as it does surgical tools. In 1997, a National Institute of Health panel found acupuncture to be an acceptable treatment for many pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and general musculoskeletal pain.

The medical journal "PAIN" reviewed a number of studies that provide further evidence of acupuncture's importance as an alternative to conventional analgesic (pain-relieving) medication.

In one study of over 20,000 patients at the University of California at Los Angeles acupuncture reduced both the frequency and severity of muscle tension, headaches, and migraines. Another study, involving 204 patients suffering from chronic painful conditions, resulted in 74 percent experiencing significant pain relief for over 3 months after acupuncture treatment! Other studies show that younger patients are particularly helped by acupuncture for the treatment of various types of pain.