12.02.09

Auricular acupuncture for pregnancy-associated low back and posterior pelvic pain

Posted in Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture, Back Pain at 10:18 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao

Health Condition:

Lower back and posterior pelvic pain.

Methods:

Auricular press needles at 3 points (Wang et al., 2009):

- Kidney

- Analgesia

- Shenmen

Leave needles in place for 7 days before removing them.

After the placement of the needles, the patients are told to inspect the integrity of the tape over the needles daily but not to use any pressure or manipulation.

Clinical trial records (Wang et al., 2009):

Patients:

159 pregnant women with lower back and posterior pelvic pain.

Evaluation:

3 groups were examined in pain and the disability rating index score, monitored for 2 weeks:

- Acupuncture group

- Sham acupuncture group

- Waiting list control group

Comparisons:

- Compared with the two other groups, patients in the acupuncture group had a significant decrease of pain and better functional status.

Effects:

7 days of continuous auricular acupuncture reduced the low back and posterior pelvic pain, as well as disability in pregnant women.

Reference and data source:

Wang, S. M., Dezinno, P., et al. (2009) Auricular acupuncture as a treatment for pregnant women who have low back and posterior pelvic pain: a pilot study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 201, 271 e271-279.

Permalink Comments

12.01.09

Shiatsu can help reducing pain and anxiety levels in patients with lower back pain

Posted in Acupressure, Back Pain at 6:45 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao

Background:
Shiatsu: a type of massage (or acupressure) using thumb and finger pressure at acupuncture points (Brady et al., 2001).

Methods:
A full-body shiatsu treatment for 50 to 60 minutes (Brady et al., 2001).

Clinical trial records:
66 patients with low back pain.
Evaluation:
Each individual was measured before and after four shiatsu treatments on:
- State/trait anxiety, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
- Pain level, self-report using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Comparisons:
- After the treatment, both pain and anxiety reduced significantly.
- The results have no difference considering variables of: gender, age, gender of therapist, length of history with lower back pain, and medications taken for lower back pain.
Effects:
Shiatsu massage is effective for relieving lower back pain.

Reference and data source:
Brady, L. H., Henry, K., et al. (2001) The effects of shiatsu on lower back pain. J Holist Nurs 19, 57-70.

Permalink Comments

Combination therapy of relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil relieves non-specific low back pain

Posted in Acupressure, Back Pain at 4:09 pm by Dr. Pharm Tao

Methods:
8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation with electrodes followed by acupressure with lavender oil for 35–40 min each time, over a 3-week period (Yip and Tse, 2004).
Protocol:
- On arrival, patients were asked to empty their bladder.
- Patients sit and relax for 5–10 min., with a digital Electronic Muscle Stimulator under a “soothing mode” (7.69 Hz at 0.05 mA).
- Place 5 pairs of medium sized (2.5 cm) electrode pads on 5 bilateral acupoints: Shousanli (LI10), Quchi (LI11), Naoshu (SI10), Tianliao (TW15) and Tianzhu (BL10).
- Acupressure massage using a light to medium finger press with 3% aromatic natural lavender oil with grape seed oil as the base on 8 fixed acupoints (4 bilateral points) for 2 min each: Sanjiaoshu (UB22), Shenshu (UB23), Dachangshu (UB25) and Weizhong (UB40).
- The acupressure effect (Deqi) was confirmed based on the patient’s feeling of sore, numb, heavy, distended, and/or warm.
- The applied pressure is decided based on feedback from the patient: the point before they had unpleasant and unbearable feelings.

Clinical trial records:
Patients with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP).
Evaluation:
Changes from baseline to the end of treatment were evaluated in pain intensity by
- Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and duration.
- Lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimeters.
- Walking time and interference on daily activities.
Control:
Usual care only.
Comparisons:
One week after the end of treatment, compared with the control group, the acupressure group had
- 39% greater reduction in VAS pain intensity.
- Better walking time.
- Improved lateral spine flexion range.
- No adverse effects were reported.
Effects:
- Acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil was an effective method for short-term LBP relief.
- The combination therapy of acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP.

Reference and data source:
Yip, Y. B. and Tse, S. H. (2004) The effectiveness of relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for non-specific low back pain in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 12, 28-37.

Permalink Comments