Acupuncture and Peripheral Neuropathy

During our walk, my mom and I discussed using acupuncture to treat neuropathy. Typically, I am skeptical of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine); I lump acupuncture into the TCM bucket. However, I remember taking my mom to an acupuncturist a long time ago for her sore elbow. She used a heavy commercial clothing iron in her job and experienced soreness in her elbow. I think doctors just prescribed her painkillers that weren’t very effective but the acupuncturist was able to treat the pain in about a week. The explanation given for acupuncture usually has to do with the all mysterious qi or energy, and how it’s either blocked or diverted in the body. Acupuncture just opens up certain corridors so the energy flows again. That sounds rather unbelievable but I really don’t care at this point. If it works, then I’ll do it.

I also talked to my doctor friend at Harbor UCLA. I think he’s a skeptic too but he was all for trying acupuncture for neuropathy. He is the one that suggested taking gabepentin for my neuropathy. I think my parents were referred to an acupuncturist in Garden Grove by their friends so once I talk to my podiatrist to make sure sticking needles in my foot is okay, I will likely call and make an appointment. I’ve been Googling for more literature but it’s hard to find good medical articles.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introducing a Standardized Acupuncture Protocol for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Series

Clinical analysis of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture treatment of pain in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Fifteen-day Acupuncture Treatment Relieves Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Acupuncture for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Network Meta-analysis

Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy: Conceptual Framework and Overview of the Evidence

Effects of acupuncture in diabetes neuropathy: case report

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