Pain after surgery is common, often severe
and largely unnecessary. Effective relief of post-operative pain is vital, and
not just for humanitarian reasons. Such pain probably prolongs hospital stay, as it
can affect all organ systems, including: respiratory (e.g. reduced cough,
sputum retention, hypoxemia); cardiovascular (e.g. increased myocardial
oxygen consumption, ischemia);
gastrointestinal (e.g. decreased gastric
emptying, reduced gut motility, constipation); genitourinary (e.g. urinary
retention); neuroendocrine (e.g. hyperglycemia, protein catabolism, sodium
retention); musculoskeletal (e.g. reduced mobility, pressure sores, increased
risk of DVT); and psychological (e.g. anxiety, fatigue). There is now evidence
that post-operative pain relief has
significant physiological benefit (Charlton
1997). Not only can it result in earlier discharge from hospital, but it may also
reduce the onset of chronic pain syndromes. Nevertheless, post-operative
pain remains grossly under treated, with up to 70% of patients reporting
moderate to severe pain following surgery
How acupuncture
can help
Systematic reviews suggest that acupuncture
and ear acupuncture are useful adjunctive treatments for post-operative
pain management (Sun 2008; Usinchenko 2008). Several recent randomized controlled
trials have found acupuncture and electro acupuncture to reduce
post-operative pain, the use of patient-controlled analgesia (opioids), and post-operative
nausea and vomiting (Salmeddini 2010; Larson 2010; Parthasarathy 2009; Wu 2009; Grube
2009; Wong 2006).
In general, acupuncture is believed to
stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules.
The resulting biochemical changes influence the body's homeostatic
mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain
acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce
sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the
‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for anxiety
About traditional
acupuncture
Acupuncture is a tried and tested system of
traditional medicine, which has been used in China and other eastern cultures for at
least 2thousand years to restore, promote and maintain good health. Its benefits are now
widely acknowledged all over the world and
in the past couple of decade traditional
acupuncture has begun to feature more prominently in mainstream healthcare in the west. In
conjunction with needling, the practitioner may use techniques such as moxibustion, cupping,
massage or electro-acupuncture. They may also suggest dietary or lifestyle changes.
Traditional acupuncture takes a holistic
approach to health and regards illness as a sign that the body is out of balance. The
exact pattern and degree of imbalance is unique to each individual. The traditional
acupuncturist’s skill lies in identifying the precise nature of the underlying disharmony
and selecting the most effective treatment.
The choice of acupuncture points will be
specific to each patient’s needs.
Traditional acupuncture can also be used as a
preventive measure to strengthen the constitution
and promote general well-being.
An increasing weight of evidence from
Western scientific research is
demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating a wide variety of
conditions.
From a biomedical viewpoint, acupuncture is
believed to stimulate the nervous system, influencing the production of the body’s
communication substances hormones and neurotransmitters. The resulting
biochemical changes activate the body's self regulating homeostatic systems,
stimulating its natural healing abilities and promoting physical and emotional well –being
