Acupuncture in the treatment of pain

Transcription

1 Acupuncture in the treatment of pain Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

2 Before you start treatment You must tell the nurse if you: Are pregnant Are Diabetic Suffer from epilepsy You have been recommended for an acupuncture course by the consultant in the Department of Pain Management. This means you will come for treatment once a week, for four weeks. Each treatment session will last around 30 minutes and will be carried out by the clinical nurse specialists or senior staff nurse. Training The nurses who carry out acupuncture have undergone special training in areas including: anatomy, physiology, acupuncture points and application. The nurses attend an update on acupuncture every year. Supervision The treatment is carried with the full support of the doctor who referred you for the treatment. The nurses will have access to medical staff if necessary whilst your treatment is being carried out. Acupuncture The chinese discovered acupuncture thousands of years ago. They believe that the body has channels (meridans) which contain the life force, or energy, known as Qi (pronounced chee). In good health, the positive and negative forces that make up Qi are balanced - but they become unbalanced in pain and disease. The chinese believe that this balance can be restored through acupuncture - by placing needles in specific points along specific channels. Since the 1970 s acupuncture has been used by doctors in the West. They believe that acupuncture works by releasing the body s own natural pain killing hormones. They also have shown that acupuncture stimulates nerve fibres that stop pain messages reaching the brain. Treatment At your first appointment, the nurse will explain the treatment to you and will be happy to answer any questions.

3 You will be asked to expose the area to be treated and you will be properly covered with a gown and/or sheets. The nurse will select the acupuncture points to treat your pain and a number of very fine sterile acupuncture needles will be inserted at various points on your body. You may experience a sensation of numbness, heaviness and tingling during your treatment. Such feelings can be due to the endorphin production. An endorphin is the body s pain killing hormone and is released as the needle passes through the skin. No drugs are injected and the needles are not coated with any substance. The needles are left in position for approximately 10 minutes at your first appointment and gradually this time is increased to a maximum of 20 minutes. Possible risks There are some minimal risks that can be associated with acupuncture: Bruising at the needles sight More common if you are taking drugs to thin the blood, such as warfarin and aspirin. Taking drugs does not prevent you from having acupuncture, but the consultant will need to make sure he/she is happy for you to have the treatment. Sickness This can occur in a mild form, either during or following treatment. If sickness is severe, then treatment will be stopped. The cause of sickness can be caused by the body producing its own painkillers. Dizziness/fainting This is very rare but can happen during or after treatment. So you will be asked to lie on the bed for your treatment. Drowsiness You may feel sleepy during treatment or for a few hours afterwards. This should not affect you driving or operating machinery. If this is a problem please ensure you are escorted to the department for your treatment. If you feel very drowsy, you should immediately contact the Department of Pain Management for advice. If you feel this way during or immediately after your treatment, we will ask you to stay in the department until you feel better.

4 Increase in pain Your pain may feel worse after one treatment. This is not unusual and can be a positive sign. If your pain is worse after three treatments, the acupuncture will be stopped and you will be given an appointment to see the consultant. Treatment to the chest area Caution will be used in this area due to the position of the lungs. Nerve irritation This is very rare but can happen during needle insertion. Once the needle is removed the irritation will gradually settle. Possible benefits Acupuncture can have many benefits. It is not a cure, but it is a treatment that can help to relieve pain. The effect of acupuncture differs for each person and does not necessarily help all those with the same pain. Some of the benefits are listed below. Don t panic if these don t apply to you as acupuncture effects everyone differently. Pain relief This can happen after one, or following three or four treatments. The effects can last from days to months. Improvement in sleep Many people notice that they can sleep for longer and that the quality or their sleep improves. Induces relaxation Acupuncture can help you to feel very relaxed, which in turn helps you to cope more effectively with your pain. Increase in the sense of well being Acupuncture can make you feel both physically and mentally better. Improved energy levels Acupuncture can make you feel that you have more energy. Reduction in pain killers You should continue to take all your medications as normal. The nurse will advise you regarding your painkillers and reducing them if appropriate.

5 Outcome Most people do feel some benefit after two or three treatments After you have completed the course of acupuncture, you will be given an appointment to see the consultant so your future pain management can be reviewed. Successful treatment is determined by continued relief of pain and/or a combination of better sleep pattern and increased feeling of wellbeing for six to eight weeks following the final treatment of acupuncture. If the acupuncture has been successful you will be placed back on the waiting list for a repeat course. If you have any questions or worries about acupuncture and your treatment, please contact the Department of Pain Management, Suite 6, Royal Hospital, Chesterfield S44 5BL. Tel:

6 Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Calow, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5BL. Tel: Acupuncture04