Living With Chronic Pain
Let me start this out by stating that I have never suffered with chronic pain; I have had instances, however, where I’ve been in pain for more than 24 hours, and within that time I have had the tiniest little window into what it would be like to have to suffer with pain and the effects of that pain with no end point in sight… and let’s just say that I don’t know if I would be strong enough to bear that! Small insights like this make you realize that living with chronic pain isn’t only about managing physical discomfort; it’s an all-encompassing experience that affects every aspect of daily life. Constant pain impacts sleep, moods, relationships, and even one’s sense of hope, not to mention that it completely destabilizes the nervous system. Many who I’ve seen on my acupuncture table who suffer from chronic pain feel as though they’re caught in a loop, trying every possible solution while searching obsessively for meaningful relief; who can blame them? The frustration of seeing specialist after specialist with varying or little result can be infuriating.
How Acupuncture Supports Chronic Pain Relief
Clearly, as an acupuncturist, it would be remiss of me not to point out that acupuncture is widely recognized for its benefits in pain management. In fact, it’s one of the main complaints that bring people to seek treatment. When we are talking about reducing pain, we are really trying to influence neurotransmitter activity- including influencing endorphins which are known as ‘the body’s natural painkillers’. This is something that acupuncture does very well. Through the use of needling specific points, acupuncture can affect the nervous system, providing relief by helping to essentially re-wire how the body processes pain.
Adjunctive Techniques: Gua Sha and Cupping
This is everyone’s favorite topic - gua sha and cupping! There is something really quite soothing about the scrape of a gua sha tool down the big muscles running besides the spine, or a few cups on those upper trap muscles to release a little tension in the shoulders (blog on this topic in how it relates to migraines coming soon!).
For chronic pain sufferers, gua sha can bring immediate relief to areas of stiffness and tension. While the redness or petechiae left on the skin may look pretty intense (attacked by a tiger intense), it typically fades within a few days and is a sign that circulation is being restored. Cupping uses specially designed cups to create suction on the skin, drawing blood to the surface and promoting deep-tissue healing. This suction effect allows muscles to relax, improves circulation, and helps flush out toxins that may contribute to pain and inflammation.
Let’s get down to the important stuff:
What the Research Says
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Research published in JAMA (2012) performed a meta-analysis of individual patient data from 29 randomized controlled trials, finding that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function in chronic pain conditions, including osteoarthritis, migraines, and back pain. Click here to read this study.
Gua Sha for Musculoskeletal Pain: A study in Pain Medicine (2017) reviewed the effects of gua sha on musculoskeletal pain, showing that it provided significant relief for pain and improved function, particularly for patients with neck and shoulder pain. Read this study here.
Cupping for Pain Management: A published meta-analysis of 611 trials specific to the efficacy of cupping therapy on back pain specific patients shows a significant reduction in pain intensity score through the use of cupping. Read about this systemic review here.
