This is a fascinating article discussing case histories of treating the opposite side and limb in intractable pain cases, and also the benefits of treating scars. I remember a presentation at one of the Acupuncture Research Symposiums on treating scars, but has sort of forgotten about it. Will try going forward and let you know. I’ve only copied a tiny portion of the article here, please click on the link to read the whole thing.
Acupuncture Today
August, 2012, Vol. 13, Issue 08
Finding Clues in Unexpected Places
By John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA)
…
Two previous orthopedic surgeons had been unable to diagnose the cause of the problem, ruling out the usual: carpal tunnel syndrome, sprain, arthritis, or any other plausible explanation. There was no injury to the wrist from any previous event and the patient was looked upon as almost being psychotic as there was absolutely no reason for him to have the pain and disability he suffered. Physical therapy had been to no avail; he literally had no response from any procedure to include eight acupuncture treatments by a very qualified practitioner…
General examination of the right wrist was unremarkable as were the X-rays from the orthopedist.
During the examination, I happened to notice a rather large irregular scar on the outside of his left ankle. On inquiry I learned the scar was from an earlier skiing accident. He had fractured his ankle, requiring surgical intervention and pinning. He was completely healed from that injury and now it was just a side note in his history.
On further questioning it was learned the skiing accident was exactly two months prior to the onset of the right wrist pain, which occurred suddenly and without incident.
One of the most significant cause-and-effect relationships in healing is “what affects the top affects the bottom and what affects the right side affects the left side and vice versa.” It is also understood (or at least accepted), that “the right shoulder affects the left hip, the right elbow affects the left knee, and the right wrist affects the left ankle and vice versa.”
With this in mind, I simply stimulated his scar tissue of the left ankle with a teishen (non-penetrating needle). The teishen is one of the nine classic acupuncture needles described in the Nei Ching over 3,000 years ago (even though it does not pierce the skin). It is an incredible method of stimulation as it is quick, effective and covers a large area of involvement in a short time.
