Case Reports of Pain Relief by Acupuncture
Li Lin, PhD, LAc
4/2012
4/2012
In the west, acupuncture is especially known to be effective for pain relief. Here, we report a few typical cases that support acupuncture's effectiveness in treating pain in various parts of the body.
Conclusion: Based on our clinical observation, acupuncture can quickly relieve the pain in most cases. In some cases, the pain will disappear with only one treatment. In other cases, the pain will return later on and patients will need more acupuncture sessions to completely get rid of the pain. It is only in a few cases, patients treated with acupuncture don't get any relief from pain.
- Facial pain: a 63-year-old woman presented with trigeminal neuralgia on the right side of her face and nose. She had had this facial pain for 24 years, ever since a car accident in 1986. After the 1st acupuncture session, she reported that her pain had lessened. She had the 2nd acupuncture session the next day, and her facial pain was gone after the 2nd acupuncture session. In the following year, her trigeminal neuralgia flared up every two months. Every time the pain flared up, she came right way for an acupuncture treatment. Each time, just one session put the trigeminal neuralgia into remission.
- Headache and Ear pain: a 56-year-old woman complained that she had constant neck pain, ear pain, and migraine on the right side of her body since 2009. The pain was very sharp, and sometimes radiated to her right arm. She also complained of pain in her left chest and left molar. During the first session of acupuncture treatment, the patient stated that she felt that the pain was taken away right after the needles were inserted. After the first acupuncture session, she had 2 pain-free days. The pain reoccured on the 3rd day, but was not as bad as it had been. After six sessions of acupuncture treatment, the pain did not return.
- Neck pain: a 47-year-old woman complained of neck pain. She stated that she had hurt her neck while she was throwing up two days before her visit to our clinic. She was no longer vomiting, but the pain in the neck remained. Her shoulder also felt tight. She was given a 30-minute acupuncture treatment. After the acupuncture treatment, she stated that her neck pain was gone and her shoulder felt less tight.
- Shoulder pain: a 17-year-old football player complained of pain in his right shoulder. He ad injured his right shoulder a week prior to his visit to our clinic. He also had chronic pain in his neck, lower back and right hip joint. After the first session of acupuncture treatment, he stated that he was free from pain.
- Hand pain: a 65-year-old woman had pain in her right thumb due to overuse. During her first session of acupuncture treatment, she felt the pain was decreasing. After the acupuncture treatment, she stated that there was no more pain.
- Upper back pain: a 51-year-old woman complained of pain in her neck and upper back, especially between T1 and T7. She is a professor, often sitting in one position for a long time. After the first session of acupuncture treatment, she stated that the pain was gone. However, the pain gradually returned during the following two days, although with less Intensity. She had her 2nd acupuncture session seven days after the first one. After the 2nd session, her pain was gone. Seven days after the 2nd session, she came back with pain between T1 and T5, and she had her 3rd session of acupuncture treatment. After the 3rd session, her pain was gone. During her follow-up appointment one month later, she stated that her upper back had been pain-free since the 3rd session of acupuncture treatment.
- Low-back pain: a 49-year-old man complained of severe pain in his low back. He had a history of chronic lower back pain. He had played tennis just before his appointment, and the pain in his lower back had become very severe. When he came in, he could not straighten his back. During the acupuncture treatment, he stated that the pain had subsided. After the acupuncture treatment, he could straighten his back and walk without pain.
- Groin pain: a 53-year-old woman complained of severe pain in her left groin radiating down to her knee. She had had three abdominal surgeries in the past. There was severe adhesion formed in her pelvic cavity. She also had fibromylgia. And her neurologist had suggested her to have surgery to cut the nerves. She decided to seek help from acupuncture before surgery. After the first acupuncture treatment, she stated that the pain was much less. She could lift up her left leg and walk without limping. She canceled her surgery appointment and continued acupuncture treatments. After four treatments, she was completely free of pain.
- Knee pain: a 21-year-old woman complained that she was experiencing pain in both of her knees. She was a soccer player, and had injured her knees during practice. After a 30-minute of acupuncture treatment, she could bend her knees, kick and walk without pain.
- Heel pain: a 45-year-old woman complained of pain in both heels. She worked as a chef, so was constantly on her feet. After the first acupuncture treatment, she had less pain in her heels. After three acupuncture treatments, her heels were free from pain.
- Foot pain: a 60-year-old man complained of pain in both big toes. He wore iron boots during his work days. After the first acupuncture treatment, his big toes were free from pain.
Conclusion: Based on our clinical observation, acupuncture can quickly relieve the pain in most cases. In some cases, the pain will disappear with only one treatment. In other cases, the pain will return later on and patients will need more acupuncture sessions to completely get rid of the pain. It is only in a few cases, patients treated with acupuncture don't get any relief from pain.