Exploring the Benefits of Acupuncture for Managing & treating chronic pain

What is chronic pain & how common is it?

Chronic pain comes in many different forms. It is defined as a regular pain lasting longer than three to six months, and can arise from various conditions such as arthritis, nerve damage, musculoskeletal injury, auto-immunity or without any clear underlying cause. Chronic pain can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, affecting not only their physical health, but also taking a toll on their mental and emotional health. 

Chronic pain is a widespread issue in modern life, affecting millions globally. In Australia alone, an estimated 3.37 million people suffer from some sort of chronic pain with most of them (56%) being restricted in their day to day activities. Pain relief medications are most commonly prescribed by GPs, but these are not ideal long term solutions. Many will seek alternative or complementary therapies for pain management, such as acupuncture.

What is Acupuncture & how does it work according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Acupuncture is a part of TCM, which is a system of healthcare based on traditional knowledge and practice dating back several thousands of years in China. With this lens we view the body as being formed from the same patterns that have created nature around us and so we work on restoring the health of the body as if it were an ecosystem.

Acupuncture does this largely by regulating circulation via the channels, which are likened to rivers and waterways of the body. In the modern clinic we use very fine, sterile needles inserted into specific points or areas to stimulate a desired change in the body.

When we have pain, this is viewed as some form of impaired circulation. It may be in the area of pain, but often there is a more complicated network of blockages, which is also why simple treatments may not have helped in the past for chronic pain.

Is Acupuncture scientifically Proven to be Effective for chronic pain management?

It’s important to understand that chronic pain is a very personal thing for the individual experiencing it, not some abstract idea. When we ask if acupuncture is scientifically proven for chronic pain or any other condition, what do we really want to know?

We want to know if we can trust that acupuncture is going to work for our own personal chronic pain situation.

No matter how many scientific studies you read, statistics you’re given, you’re never going to find out if acupuncture can help your chronic pain, unless you give it an honest try. If you do this, make sure it is with someone qualified and skilled in this area, who can tailor the treatment to you as a person, not just as a collection of symptoms.

With that said, there is an increasing body of research for acupuncture in relation to chronic pain and various pain-related conditions. Here are a few links to some peer-reviewed studies that support the use of acupuncture for common chronic pain conditions:

• Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis

• Acupuncture therapy for chronic lower back pain: a systematic review

• Pain management with acupuncture in osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine

• Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache

What types of chronic pain conditions Can Acupuncture potentially help with?

In healthcare we can get trapped in a mentality of “modality” versus “condition”. This is fine thinking at a wider public health level, but is less useful on an individual level. 

In the clinic, whether acupuncture will work for your chronic pain will depend on many factors such as: the severity of your condition; your responsiveness to acupuncture; your acupuncturist’s ability to correctly identify and address your particular imbalances; other complicating lifestyle or disease factors; etc.

When I work with someone for any chronic pain, I’m trying to see through that and understand the whole person underneath to figure out how I can best use my knowledge and treatments for their situation.

Over the years I have worked with people who have struggled with various forms of chronic pain, such as:

• Lower back pain and sciatica

• Migraines and headaches

• Neck pain and whiplash

• Shoulder pain

• Knee pain

• Sporting injuries

• Arthritis - osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

• Fibromyalgia

• Nerve pain and neuralgia

• Mystery pains with no clear cause

What is a typical Acupuncture treatment session like?

Approaches may vary from practitioner to practitioner, but typically an acupuncture session will start with a consultation to understand what is going on for the person, as well as to get an overall snapshot of their health.

In TCM, we like to feel the pulse at the wrist and have a look at the tongue. These are traditional diagnostic methods that help us get a better picture of what’s happening internally and how to tailor the treatment to the person.

When working with chronic pain, there will likely be physical assessments such as palpation of tight or painful areas, range of motion tests and other muscle or joint tests. These will serve as a baseline to check back in with during the session and/or in future follow ups.

Treatment can then start. Your practitioner should be able to explain what they’re doing with the acupuncture needles and what to expect. It is normal to feel a sensation at these points, but your acupuncturist should be able to adjust and tailor the treatment to what’s comfortable for you.

You will usually have a period to lay there with the needles in place. Once finished, your practitioner should explain to you what to expect from the treatment and when it would be best to follow up.

Are there any side effects or risks associated with Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by an AHPRA licensed practitioner. However, like any medical treatment, it carries some risks and potential side effects, including:

• Soreness: Some patients may experience temporary soreness or discomfort at the acupuncture points. This is known as post-treatment soreness and typically resolves within 24-48 hours.

• Minor bleeding or bruising: Occasional bleeding or bruising can occur at the needle insertion sites.

• Dizziness or fainting: Rarely, patients may feel lightheaded or faint during treatment.

• Infection: Although very rare, there is a minor risk of infection.

To minimise these risks, it is important to work with a qualified and experienced acupuncturist.

Who is a good candidate for Acupuncture treatment?

Anyone suffering from chronic pain who has not found satisfactory relief from other treatments, would like to reduce dependency on pain relief medications and is open to trying acupuncture is a good candidate.

People who do best with acupuncture also have realistic expectations that it can require some work and commitment to get the most benefit. It isn’t a magic quick fix, particularly for chronic pain conditions that have been around for years, although if it is going to help you, usually there are positive signs early on.

Integrating Acupuncture with conventional pain management therapies or other holistic therapies

Acupuncture pairs well with most other therapies. I routinely work with people who are also taking medication, on a regime of herbs/supplements, seeing a physio, getting adjustments from their chiro or osteo, having regular massages, etc. Even in cases where surgery has been necessary, acupuncture can support pre and post surgery recovery. Acupuncture can complement pain management plans that a person with chronic pain may have in place already.

Patient experiences with Acupuncture for Chronic Pain

No one can guarantee that acupuncture will be able to help you with your chronic pain, but a good acupuncturist should be able to tell early on if it’s something they think they can help with.

In the early stages of treatment I am trying to figure out if someone is generally a fast, moderate, slow or non responder to acupuncture. How you respond during the initial series of treatments will provide a good indicator for your prognosis with acupuncture and what kind of treatment plan may be necessary for you.

Ideally acupuncture is an individualised treatment and so should be adapted to you and your personal situation. The best way to find out if it’s going to be beneficial for you is to give acupuncture an honest try over a series of sessions.

If you’re ready to try acupuncture for your chronic pain, find yourself an AHPRA registered acupuncturist like me who is able to effectively assess your condition and work out a treatment plan that makes sense for you and your health goals.