Acupuncture: Pain Management Treatment

by. Leah Rampolla

The medical explanation of acupuncture describes acupuncture as a pain management technique that involves the insertion of needles in specific areas of the body also known as meridians. The insertion of needles in these key places in the body stimulates the release of specific chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. The release of these chemicals in the body may change the patients’ perception of pain- which may produce a feeling of pain relief.  Another theory is that acupuncture stimulates the release of chemicals and hormones in the body which may assist in the body’s inner pain regulations systems.The following information was obtained from the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. According to reports from this academy medical acupuncture is a treatment method that facilitates natural healing and improved functioning of the body.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment method for digestive orders such as: gastritis and hyper acidity, spastic colon, constipation, and diarrhea. Acupuncture has also been recognized by the WHO to treat respiratory disorders such as: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic chest infections. Acupuncture has also used to treat neurological and muscular disorders such as headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis of various forms, lower back pain, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. Acupuncture is also reported to be an effective treatment for urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems and is reported to be particularly effective in alleviating the physical manifestations of stress, tension, and emotional conditions.

Humans aren’t the only patients that can benefit from acupuncture. Successful treatments have been reported using cats, dogs, horses, and other animals. The reports of successful acupuncture treatments on animals successfully negate the belief that acupuncture produces pain relief through the placebo effect principle.

Medical acupuncture is reported to produce effective results in a broad spectrum of conditions. Some of those conditions include: acute and chronic pain control, post traumatic and post operative ileus, muscles spasms, tremors, tics, contractures, paresthesia, anxiety, fright, panic, drug detoxification, neuralgias, some gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, phantom pain, cervical and lumbar spine syndromes, plantar faucitis, arthritis/arthrosis, bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, contusions, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, insomnia, anorexia, atypical chest pain, idiopathic palpitations, sinus tachycardia, allergic sinusitis, persistent hiccups, certain dermatoses, urinary incontinence and retention, abdominal distention and flatulence, severe hyperthermia, and cough with contraindications for narcotics. Acupuncture anesthesia can be used for high risk patients or patients who have had adverse reactions to anesthesia previously.

Medical acupuncture can provide drug free and effective pain relief for a broad scope of illnesses and diseases. Medical acupuncture can be used as a complement to traditional medical practices or can be used as an alternative, natural option if tradition treatment methods prove to be ineffective.

Acupuncture as a Pain Management Technique

By Leah Rampolla

Because acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of needles into the skin, many believe this to be a strange and ineffective pain management technique. In actuality, acupuncture can be utilized as an extremely effective pain relief treatment for a variety of ailments. While acupuncture does involve the insertion of needles into the skin at multiple sites on the body, the needles are very small and doweled. Many patients receiving treatment are surprised to learn that the needle has already been inserted into their skin and did not feel any pain during the insertion.

In China, practitioners use acupuncture as a pain management technique for a variety of ailments and Western medicine has begun to embrace this alternative kind of pain management as valid and effective. While there is not a significant amount of concrete data to substantiate these claims, the “clinical impressions” of the acupuncturist as well as testimonials of the patients treated suggest that acupuncture is indeed an effective and valid form of pain management.

Acupuncture can be used to alleviate pain caused by ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, sprains, headaches; particularly migraine headaches, strokes, neuralgias, nervous disorders, diseases of the digestive system, diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, obstetrics, and can also assist in addiction treatment. Acupuncture is commonplace in the East and is increasing in popularity in the West. Many patients seek acupuncture as an alternative form of pain management that is natural and side effect free.


Not all diseases respond to acupuncture treatment, but many patients who receive the treatment claim that the pain relief can be felt almost immediately and is long lasting. For more information or a free Acupuncture first visit, feel free to call (732)226-2153 or visit www.advancedwellnessacupuncture.com