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Acupuncture Presents an Alternative Option for Pain |
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Since May, 1996, UVa’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has offered acupuncture as a means to relieve persistent or acute pain. Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice, about 2,500 years old, in which a needle is inserted at predetermined points located at discrete areas of the body. Traditionally used as a way of promoting health as well as fighting disease, the goal is to bring about a change in medical condition or a change in the body itself. Research into the mechanism of action for this therapy is ongoing, though some actions have been clarifies. Basically, there is enough medical evidence to show that acupuncture acts through the body’s endogenous opiate system. The human body releases a number of chemicals very much like morphine in their effects, and we have receptors that accept these chemicals. Acupuncture appears to stimulate the release of these opioid substances into the bloodstream. At UVa, acupuncture is primarily being used as a treatment for a number of moderate to severe pain conditions, including:
"The use of acupuncture for difficult pain problems is often accompanied by an exercise program, which complements acupuncture treatment," says Dr. Alan P. Alfano. "This is a typical approach in the Physical Medicine Department at UVa." Dr. Alfano is a licensed acupuncturist as well as a board-certified physiatrist. In Virginia, licensing is required for physicians to practice this art. Alfano sees acupuncture as an adjunct to other forms of treatment for pain, and at UVa, acupuncture is often used in conjunction with a number of other regimens, such as an individualized exercise and conditioning program. Acupuncture, in fact, is particularly useful in decreasing pain levels to the point where the patient can participate in exercise or the activities of daily living. Take one example: arthritis. Here, a significant amount of medical attention may be required, but much of the medication used for this condition is relatively toxic and can cause problems with the liver, kidney, and stomach. In cases where a patient has contraindications to using some or all of these medications, acupuncture may be a reasonable alternative. Today, the use of the technique for a variety of pain situations is gaining momentum across the country. The increased interest in acupuncture’s value and efficacy has led to further research in determining outcomes measurement for treatment. The National Institutes of Health, through its Office of Alternative Medicine, for example, is funding acupuncture research across the country. Acupuncture has also been shown to be relatively safe. Complications, though possible, appear to be extremely rare. As with any treatment, however, proper evaluation and diagnosis are important before any treatment plan is formulated.
For more information about acupuncture at the University of Virginia, contact From: Clinical Minutes from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the UVa Medical Center, November 1996 |