Patients with chronic pain associated with the back, neck, shoulder and osteoarthritis that had persisted more than 3 months were allowed to participate in a study conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, and Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing all of New York. The objective of the study was to determine if Acupuncture supplemented by Traditional Chinese medicine provided in a community setting would be an effective treatment for chronic pain. Treatment was provided to each of the participants on a weekly basis for a period of 8 weeks. No additional treatments were provided after the 8 week point. At 24 weeks the participants were evaluated to determine if there were any enduring benefits. When the 24 week data was compared to the baseline data, pain, consumption of pain medication, and the amount of pain interference with daily activities remained at a significantly reduced level. Also, the number of pain free days in a two week period were increased. The conclusion reached is that acupuncture supplemented by TCM provided in a community setting is an effective an affordable treatment for chronic pain.
Key Takeaways:
- Acupuncture provides lasting results, long after a cycle of treatment has been completed
- Community Acupuncture, in an open area with others receiving similar treatments, provides positive energy and results
- The benefits of acupuncture can be substantial to relieve chronic pain, and be cost-effective with healthcare costs on the rise
“Acupuncture plus TCM modalities not only reduced pain levels, but also significantly reduced pain interference and depression levels.”
