- Cloud 9 Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine22 West Padonia Rd. Suite A-203
Timonium, MD 21093
Bell’s Palsy
Can Acupuncture Help with Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves in the hands, feet, arms, and legs. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. There is no cure for peripheral neuropathy, but there are treatments that can help to relieve symptoms.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. It is thought to work by stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities.
There is some evidence that acupuncture can be effective in relieving the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. A study published in the journal Pain Medicine found that acupuncture was effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Another study, published in the journal Neurology, found that acupuncture was effective in reducing pain and improving sleep quality in people with HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy.
If you are considering acupuncture for peripheral neuropathy, it is important to talk to your doctor first. Acupuncture is not a cure for peripheral neuropathy, but it may be able to help to relieve your symptoms.
How Does Acupuncture Work for Peripheral Neuropathy?
The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works for peripheral neuropathy is not fully understood. However, it is thought that acupuncture may help to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and stimulate the release of pain-relieving chemicals in the body.
Acupuncture is also thought to help to improve the function of the nervous system. This may be due to the fact that acupuncture can help to restore the balance of yin and yang, which are two opposing forces that are thought to govern the body in traditional Chinese medicine.
Is Acupuncture Safe for Peripheral Neuropathy?
Acupuncture is generally considered to be a safe treatment for peripheral neuropathy. However, there are some risks associated with acupuncture, such as bleeding, bruising, and infection. It is important to see a qualified acupuncturist who is experienced in treating peripheral neuropathy.
If you are considering acupuncture for peripheral neuropathy, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to see a qualified acupuncturist who is experienced in treating peripheral neuropathy.
- Be aware of the risks associated with acupuncture.
- Be patient. It may take several treatments before you see improvement in your symptoms.
If you are looking for a natural way to relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, acupuncture may be a good option for you. Call today to begin with a consultation to find out if you’re a good candidate for treatment.
Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment that can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet. It can also make it difficult to walk, dress, and perform other daily activities.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of CIPN. It works by stimulating specific points on the body with needles. This can help to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote nerve regeneration.
A study published in the journal “Pain” found that acupuncture was effective in reducing the pain and numbness associated with CIPN. The study participants who received acupuncture also reported improved sleep quality and quality of life.
Another study, published in the journal “Neurology”, found that acupuncture was effective in improving walking ability in people with CIPN. The study participants who received acupuncture were able to walk farther and with less pain than those who did not receive acupuncture.
If you are experiencing CIPN, acupuncture may be a helpful treatment option for you. Talk to your doctor about whether acupuncture is right for you.
What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture treatments typically last for 30-60 minutes. The acupuncturist will first assess your condition and then insert needles into specific points on your body. The needles may be left in place for a few minutes or up to 30 minutes.
You may feel some discomfort when the needles are inserted, but this should go away quickly. Some people experience a feeling of warmth or tingling at the acupuncture points.
You can usually resume your normal activities after acupuncture treatment. However, you may experience some mild side effects, such as bruising or soreness at the acupuncture points.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for CIPN. It can help to reduce pain, numbness, and improve walking ability. If you are experiencing CIPN, call today to set up a consultation.
Acupuncture for Neuropathy: How Can It Help?
Neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, injury, and certain medications.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment that has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of neuropathy. It works by stimulating specific points on the body with needles. This helps to improve blood flow and nerve function, which can reduce pain and improve overall well-being.
There are a number of studies that have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture for neuropathy. For example, a study published in the journal Pain found that acupuncture was effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with diabetic neuropathy.
Another study, published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, found that acupuncture was effective in reducing pain and improving sleep quality in people with HIV-related neuropathy.
If you are suffering from neuropathy, acupuncture may be a safe and effective treatment option for you. Talk to your doctor about whether acupuncture is right for you.
How Can Acupuncture Help with Neuropathy?
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body with needles. These points are believed to be linked to the body’s energy system, or meridians. When the needles are inserted, they release chemicals that help to improve blood flow and nerve function. This can help to reduce pain, improve sleep quality, and reduce inflammation.
What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture for Neuropathy?
The benefits of acupuncture for neuropathy include:
- Reduced pain
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved nerve function
- Increased energy levels
- Improved mood
- Improved nerve function
How Many Acupuncture Sessions Are Needed for Neuropathy?
The number of acupuncture sessions needed for neuropathy will vary depending on the individual. However, most people see improvement after a short time. Each patient is examined for sensory loss at their initial consultation to determine how many treatments are needed for their success.
Is Acupuncture Safe for Neuropathy?
Acupuncture is generally safe for people with neuropathy.
How Can I Find a Qualified Acupuncture Provider for Neuropathy?
Acupuncturists in the state of Maryland attend an accredited graduate school program for 3-5 years before becoming eligible to attain licensure for acupuncture. Not all acupuncturists are trained in how to treat neuropathy, however. Neuropathy is a complex condition that requires extensive additional training, which Dr. Parks has mastered over the last 4 years, with over an 85% success rate in treating neuropathy.
The Best Way to Find the Best Acupuncture Clinic for You
Whether you’re suffering from low back pain, or neuropathy, infertility or headaches, you’ll want to find the best acupuncture clinic that suits your needs the best.
The very best way is to call and speak with the receptionist of your clinic of interest and ask them if they have experience in or specialize in your primary condition you are seeking care for. While most acupuncturists have trained extensively for 3-5 years in graduate level study acupuncture programs, and receive a Master’s degree or a Doctorate (also known as a Acupuncture Physician), it’s still best to work with an acupuncturist or clinic that has experienced success in treating your condition.
Some questions you can ask when you phone a prospective acupuncture clinic:
Has the acupuncturist treated my type of condition before?
What is the success rate of treating my condition at this clinic?
How many years of experience does the acupuncturist have?
Do you offer any additional therapies beyond acupuncture to help address my condition?
What can I expect during my first visit? (Is it just a consultation, or will I receive treatment that day?)
Most of our patients are referred by word of mouth, from former patients who have also experienced success. Our acupuncturist Dr. Laura Parks does specialize in chronic, complex conditions and has been practicing for over 13 years. She received her acupuncture doctorate from Five Branches University, and acupuncture masters from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia). Dr. Parks has been treating Fertility patients for over 13 years and specializing in neuropathy for over 4 years, with over a 85% success rate.
Acupuncture Research: Neuropathy Solutions are Here!
One exciting piece of compiled research breaks down many times of neuropathy and how acupuncture was used to improve the various types of acupuncture called, “Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Results of 13 clinical trials showed, “most long-term follow-ups favored acupuncture at 4 weeks,56,60 5 weeks,61 7 months, and 13 months,55 ” and “all four RCTs56,60,61,62 used validated CTS-specific scales (Table 2) and reported significant improvement with manual acupuncture56,60,62 and electroacupuncture61 compared with baseline in the Global Symptom Score,56,60 Boston Carpal Tunnel Score,61 Carpal Tunnel Self-assessment Questionnaire,62 and Visual Analogue Scale61 (Table 3). Three of the four RCTs included showed significantly greater effectiveness of acupuncture compared with night splinting,61 sham acupuncture,60 oral vitamin B1 and B6,60 and oral prednisolone.56 ”
Acupuncture-induced changes in nerve conduction parameters
“NCS were performed in included trials on DPN and CTS (Table 4). With respect to motor nerve function, acupuncture produced significant effects on median nerve compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, median nerve distal motor latency (DML), and motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the median, ulnar, and peroneal nerves. Compared with medication control, acupuncture caused significantly greater improvement in DML and in median, ulnar, and motor NCV.”
Sensory NCS revealed that acupuncture caused an increase in sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude in the median nerve, lowered median nerve distal sensory latency (DSL), and increased median and peroneal nerve NCV.”
This piece of research can be found in full text at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359694/ Dimitrova, A., Murchison, C., & Oken, B. (2017). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 23(3), 164–179. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0155
The Acupuncture profession has been extremely busy the last 10 years with clinical trials, experiments on how effective specific acupuncture protocols are for different conditions. Up until about 10 years ago, many clinical trials on acupuncture were skewed because the “control” in the experiments was “sham acupuncture.”
Sham acupuncture and regular acupuncture had to be “double blinded” in the original clinical trials, and therefore were done with something placed on the skin and a plastic “guide tube” used to tap the acupuncture needle into the skin. Participants in the clinical trials were not sure if they were receiving the sham acupuncture or the regular acupuncture, because the tapping sensation was the same for both. Another way sham acupuncture was performed was to needle places on the body that were not the exact anatomical acupuncture point locations, however the needle placements were often still located on the acupuncture pathway or close enough to an acupuncture point to still stimulate an acupuncture point and create clinical improvements in the participants.
The more impressive clinical trial results are those that compare acupuncture to another health modality, such as pain medication or physical therapy. Acupuncture often is shown in these clinical trials to be significantly more effective in improving patient outcomes and getting better clinical results in treating most conditions.
You can see more acupuncture research (and ALL types of medical research!) for yourself, by exploring research on the government regulated public medical database, www.PubMed.gov
If you look at research, I do suggest reading how the experiment was conducted, what the ‘control’ of the experiment was, and how big the sample size was, and for how long.
At Cloud 9 Acupuncture, we specialize in treating many types of neuropathy, including peripheral neuropathy, bell’s palsy, and diabetic neuropathy, as well as chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. We are one of a handful of clinics in the country that provide this proprietary neuropathy treatments with over a 85% success rate. Call 410-847-4766 to begin with a consultation.
