Acupuncture Studies on Pain

Abstract

The relegation of acupuncture to complementary therapy ignores the history of its development and restricts possibilities for its clinical use and further research. Clinical studies with randomised, controlled trials and double blinding require reconsideration and adaptation when using acupuncture for treatment when multiple patient and treatment variables are involved. Ample experimental evidence exists for acupuncture to be considered as a modality of peripheral sensory stimulation, but present clinical research has not incontrovertibly validated the use of acupuncture on patients with chronic pain. A basic understanding of the neuro-physiology of pain and its differentiation does provide better indications for its use. More consistent results may then be obtained, as seen from a few recent studies.