By Beth Griffey, LAc.

The American Pain Society (in the Journal of Pain, vol 19,
May, 2018) published a review of multiple randomized
acupuncture trials (through 2015) to determine effects of
acupuncture on four chronic pain conditions.

Thirty-nine trials and more than twenty thousand patients were
included. The pain conditions included nonspecific
musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache or
shoulder pain. The end results measured were changes in
pain and function.

The conclusions reached by the review are:
1) acupuncture is effective for treating chronic pain,
2) lasting relief of pain and/or improvements in
function persist over time and cannot be simply due
to “the placebo effect”.

At MAS we encourage consistent treatment over
time. This is the best way to work toward treatment
goals over an initial period of days and weeks. After
improvement is demonstrated we ask patients to space
out treatments and monitor the results. I have seen
patients be able to withdraw from treatment for months
and years after achieving and maintaining lasting pain

relief and improved function.

This is exciting news for
those of us who experience and treat chronic pain conditions.