How can I help you with Acute & Chronic Pain?
Many of us suffer from occasional transient pain - in the neck, shoulders, back (with or without projection to the legs), knees and of course head, including migraines. Most of the time it goes away, sometimes it comes back, and sometimes it just doesn’t leave us and becomes a chronic pain. The American Medical Association estimates that about 25 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain and this leads to expenses of about $600 billion a year, half of which are treatment-related expenses and half of which are indirect expenses of lost work days and productivity (1,2).
Beyond the pain itself, the impairment of function of course affects the overall quality of life and causes depression, anxiety and sleep problems and therefore those suffering from chronic pain are looking for every possible solution.
How is pain treated?
There are many painkillers, acute or chronic, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs - aspirin, ibuprofin, arachnoxia, atopy], opiates [tramadol, codin, oxycodone, morphine] and skeletal muscle relaxants [SMRs]. In addition, there are also non-pharmacological treatment options such as physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, exercise and more. The method of treatment is determined after an accurate diagnosis that includes, among other things, the duration of the pain, the location of the pain, whether there is radiation or not, the patient's age, background diseases and other medications that the patient is taking.
Most drugs have been shown to be effective, but their side effects can be, in some cases, severe and some even cause addiction and mortality after prolonged use. A study from Denmark published in 2017 involving 29,000 patients found that the use of over-the-counter NSAIDs such as neurofen, Advil and diclofenac increased the risk of cardiac arrest by 31-50% (3). A Canadian study involving 446,763 patients showed similar results with short-term use of up to one week in these drugs4. At the same time, the use of opiate drugs has made headlines as over 400,000 Americans have died as a result of using these drugs in the last decade and today, according to authorities, every 3 minutes a woman is hospitalized for using such drugs (5).
Following this, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidelines for physicians treating chronic pain to consider non-drug alternatives such as acupuncture and chiropractic as a first line6. In Israel, too, due to the significant increase in the use of addictive narcotics, the Ministry of Health has changed the prescription guidelines (7).
The Solution? Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine has existed for over 3,000 years and includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and East Asian manual therapies such as Shiatsu and Tuina. Acupuncture has been proven to be highly effective, both short- and long-term, in treating chronic back, neck, shoulder, and knee pain, as well as headaches, and without any side effects.
In chronic back pain, large-scale studies including thousands of patients have shown that acupuncture not only reduces pain but also improves functional ability. A review study comparing the effect size of various treatments for knee osteoarthritis found that opioids were the most effective (though accompanied by severe risks including side effects, addiction, and mortality). Acupuncture ranked second in effectiveness, above common painkillers such as Arcoxia, Nurofen, and Paracetamol, as well as exercise and other therapies.
Because of such evidence, in 2017 the American College of Physicians published guidelines in the prestigious journal Annals of Internal Medicine, recommending acupuncture as a first-line therapy for low back pain—before considering medication.
How Does It Work?
Treatment in Chinese Medicine begins with a precise diagnosis, including a detailed consultation, pulse evaluation, and tongue examination. This enables a personalized approach that typically involves inserting very fine, sterile, single-use needles at specific points on the body. According to Chinese Medicine, these points are proven to reduce pain and support the body’s natural healing processes. The needles remain in place for about 20–30 minutes.
Acupuncture can be complemented with medicinal mushrooms, which have been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation (and therefore pain) and support the nervous system. Nutrition and lifestyle adjustments are also essential, ensuring an anti-inflammatory diet (plenty of greens, less sugar, gluten, and refined flour) that supports the body’s healing processes.
Who Can Benefit?
Chinese and Japanese Medicine, through acupuncture, medicinal mushrooms, and nutrition, is suitable for anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain in the back, knees, neck, or shoulders.
Whether the cause is traumatic injury, neurological damage, or a long-term condition such as fibromyalgia—I am here to help you.
Research Bibliography:
1. Gaskin DJ and Richard P (2012) Journal of Pain 13 (8): 715-724 doi: 10.1016 / j.jpain.2012.03.009
2. Qaseem A., et al. ) 2017) Ann Intern Med doi: 10.7326 / M16-2367
3. Sondergaard KB, et al. (2017) European Heart Journal-Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy doi: 10.1093 / ehjcvp / pvw041
4. Bally M, et al. (2017) British Medical Journal doi: 10.1136 / bmj.j1909
5. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/prescriptionpainkilleroverdoses/index.html
6. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/NewsEvents/UCM557071.pdf
7. https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3758386,00.html
8. Liu L et al. (2015) Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/328196
9. Birch S. et al. J Alternative Complementary Medicine (2017) 23 (4): 242-246 doi: 10.1089 / acm.2016.0385
10. Zhang R. (2014) Anesthesiology (2014) 120 (2): 482–503. doi: 10.1097 / ALN.0000000000000101