"It's really almost mainstream now," says Stuart S. Kassan, MD, a
rheumatologist in private practice in Denver who became an acupuncturist in 1996. "It's safe when done properly, and can be very helpful for pain."
However, Dr. Kassan says, many doctors do remain skeptical. "Some roll their eyes and say they can't believe I'm doing
acupuncture," he says. "But
rheumatologists see a lot of patients with problems we can't do anything about, especially chronic pain. We all become very frustrated. And this is where
acupuncture makes its greatest impact: with patients who have failed conventional treatment."
Don L. Goldenberg, MD, chief of
rheumatology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, agrees. A
fibromyalgia specialist, he often works in conjuction with a medical doctor trained in
acupuncture, which he finds often gives good results when used in addition to more conventional treatments. "
Acupuncture clearly can help lots of chronic pain issues, including
fibromyalgia," he says.
But it doesn't work for everyone. "Some people respond spectacularly – but not all," says Wendell Hatfield, MD, a Denver rheumatologist who is also a trained
acupuncturist. "And as with all treatments for chronic conditions, it's not a cure. It helps control the symptoms."
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is the use of fine needles inserted into the skin at precise points. It originated in China thousands of years ago, and is based on the theory that an essential life energy called qi (pronounced chee) flows through the body along invisible channels, called meridians. When the flow of qi is blocked or out of balance, illness or pain results. Stimulation of specific points along the meridians can correct the flow of qi to restore or optimize health, or to block pain, according to Chinese theory.
The "acupoints" can also be stimulated with heated herbs (called moxibustion), magnets, mild electrical current (electroacupuncture), manual pressure (acupressure), low-frequency lasers, or even bee stings. A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner may also offer herbs along with lifestyle advice. (See "What Happens in an Acupuncture Treatment")
Western scientists don't know exactly how acupuncture works. However, some acupoints correspond to areas, called trigger points, that are known to be rich in nerve endings, and studies show stimulating acupoints causes multiple biologic responses. Such stimulation can prompt a cascade of chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain that releases the body's natural pain-killing endorphins, and can also affect circulation and other bodily systems.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
Acupuncture has been described in thousands of writings throughout the centuries. Among the many recent studies are several that show it relieves osteoarthritis symptoms – so well in one Scandinavian study that 25 percent of patients previously scheduled for knee surgery canceled their plans. That same study showed booster treatments once a month sustained the pain relief.
Other studies have shown that acupuncture helps relieve pain from fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis; can decrease the number and severity of Raynaud's phenomenon attacks; helps ease conditions that can accompany arthritis such as depression and irritable bowel syndrome; and enhance conventional treatments for gout, when used in a combined therapy.
Dr. Berman, who also practices acupuncture, says more and better studies are needed to measure the effects of acupuncture. The CMP has three NIH-funded studies underway looking at acupuncture and both osteoarthritis and post-operative pain.
If you would like to discuss your condition with me prior to making an appointment please call me on 07968613768 or email me at
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