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Medical Research

Recent Advances In Acupuncture For Pain Relief.

Kristen Sparrow • September 18, 2024

Acupuncture For Pain ReliefWe have discussed Acupuncture and pain over the years.  But this article written by heavy hitters (Qiu Fu Ma, and Vitaly Napadow)  in the Acupuncture world, is most welcome!  I will be posting more on the contents of this article and surely posting a video also.
I heartily agree with this conclusion
“Although the quality of supportive evidence is heterogeneous, acupuncture’s potential cost-effectiveness and low risk profile under standardized techniques suggest consideration as a neuromodulatory and practical nonpharmacological pain therapy.”

Introduction:

Acupuncture therapy has achieved global expansion and shown promise for health promotion and treatment of acute/chronic pain.

Objectives:

To present an update on the existing evidence base for research and clinical practice supporting acupuncture analgesia.

Methods:

This Clinical Update elaborates on the 2023 International Association for the Study of Pain Global Year for Integrative Pain Care “Factsheet Acupuncture for Pain Relief” and reviews best evidence and practice.

 

Recent advances in acupuncture for pain relief

Niruthisard, Supraneea; Ma, Qiufub; Napadow, Vitalyc,d

Author Information
PAIN Reports 9(5):p e1188, October 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001188

Introduction:

Acupuncture therapy has achieved global expansion and shown promise for health promotion and treatment of acute/chronic pain.

Objectives:

To present an update on the existing evidence base for research and clinical practice supporting acupuncture analgesia.

Methods:

This Clinical Update elaborates on the 2023 International Association for the Study of Pain Global Year for Integrative Pain Care “Factsheet Acupuncture for Pain Relief” and reviews best evidence and practice.

Results:

Acupuncture is supported by a large research evidence base and growing utilization. Mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia include local physiological response at the needling site, suppression of nociceptive signaling at spinal and supraspinal levels, and peripheral/central release of endogenous opioids and other biochemical mediators. Acupuncture also produces pain relief by modulating specific brain networks, integral for sensory, affective, and cognitive processing, as demonstrated by neuroimaging research. Importantly, acupuncture does not just manage pain symptoms but may target the sources that drive pain, such as inflammation, partially by modulating autonomic pathways. Contextual factors are important for acupuncture analgesia, which is a complex multifaceted intervention. In clinical practice, historical records and many providers believe that acupuncture efficacy depends on specific acupoints used, the technique of needle placement and stimulation, and the person who delivers the procedure. Clinical research has supported the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for various pain disorders, including acupuncture as a complementary/integrative therapy with other pain interventions.

Conclusion:

Although the quality of supportive evidence is heterogeneous, acupuncture’s potential cost-effectiveness and low risk profile under standardized techniques suggest consideration as a neuromodulatory and practical nonpharmacological pain therapy.

Key Points

  1. Acupuncture for Pain Relief has been one of the most used nonpharmacological modalities for integrative pain care as monotherapy or a complement of other techniques with increasing supportive evidence not only by basic research in animals but also by translational and clinical research.
  2. Safe acupuncture procedures for pain control with minimal adverse effects are provided by licensed acupuncturists and trained medical doctors.
  3. The effectiveness of acupuncture depends on many factors, including the specific acupoints used, the technique of needle placement and stimulation, and the person who provides the procedure.
  4. Understanding the science and mechanisms of action underlying acupuncture analgesia helps improve the effectiveness of the treatment of different pain conditions. Acupuncture produces pain relief by modulating multiple brain networks, integral for sensory, affective, and cognitive processing and by modulating the sources that drive pain such as inflammation.