Research: CECCHERELLI et al., Ob

Listed in Issue 83

Abstract

CECCHERELLI et al., Observatory on Unconventional Medicine, Anesthesiological Unit of the Department of Pharmacology and Anesthesiology, University of Padova, Italy, E: istaneri@uxl.unipd.it, compared deep and superficial acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar myofascial pain .

Background

The purpose of the study was to compare the therapeutic effect of superficial and in-depth insertion of acupuncture needles in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain .

Methodology

A prospective, randomized double-blinded study was conducted in a Pain Service Unit. 42 patients with low back pain were divided into two equal groups . One group received needling at a depth of 2 mm, and the other group received needling deeply into the muscular tissue . Patients received 8 treatment sessions each. Pain intensity was measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire before and after treatment and at 3 months follow-up.

Results

At the end of treatment there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups although pain reduction was slightly better in the group with deep needling . However at 3 months follow-up the difference between the two groups was statistically significant with the deeply needled group doing better .

Conclusion

Deep stimulation with acupuncture needles has a better analgesic effect than superficial needling.

References

Ceccherelli F, Rigoni MT, Gagliardi G, Ruzzante L. Comparison of superficial and deep acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar myofascial pain: a double-blind randomized controlled study. The Clinical Journal of Pain 18 (3): 149-153, May-Jun 2002.

ICAN 2024 Skyscraper

Scientific and Medical Network 2

Cycle Around the World for Charity 2023

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Charity 2023

top of the page