Can Acupuncture Help Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, can be a persistent and debilitating condition that affects daily life. Whether caused by injury, diabetes, post-surgical complications, or conditions like sciatica, nerve pain often does not respond well to conventional pain medications. Many patients seek complementary approaches, including acupuncture, to help manage their symptoms.
Acupuncture and Nerve Pain
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. These points correspond with meridians, or energy pathways, which are believed to influence the body’s internal balance. Modern research suggests that acupuncture may help manage nerve pain by:
- Stimulating the nervous system to promote pain relief
- Encouraging blood circulation to affected areas, supporting healing
- Reducing inflammation by modulating immune responses
- Triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers
What Does the Research Say?
Several studies have explored the effects of acupuncture on neuropathic pain conditions:
- A 2020 systematic review published in The Journal of Pain Research found that acupuncture may provide pain relief for diabetic neuropathy, a common form of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels (Chen et al., 2020).
- Another study published in Neuroscience Letters suggested that acupuncture could regulate nerve pathways and reduce pain sensitivity, offering potential benefits for conditions like sciatica and post-herpetic neuralgia (Lee et al., 2018).
While research is ongoing, acupuncture is increasingly recognised as a potential complementary therapy for managing nerve pain, particularly when used alongside conventional treatments.
What to Expect from Acupuncture for Nerve Pain
At True Health, we tailor each acupuncture session to the individual. A consultation helps identify the underlying patterns of disharmony, and treatments may include:
- Acupuncture using ultra-fine, single-use needles to target key meridians.
- Electroacupuncture, which delivers mild electrical pulses to stimulate nerve function.
- Herbal medicine and lifestyle recommendations, depending on the patient’s overall health.
The number of treatments required varies depending on the severity and duration of the pain, but many patients report a gradual reduction in discomfort and improved mobility over a series of sessions.
The Takeaway
Acupuncture may offer relief for some people experiencing nerve pain, and it is widely used to help manage discomfort and improve quality of life. While it is not a cure for nerve damage, it may be a useful addition to a comprehensive pain management plan.
If you are struggling with nerve pain and want to explore acupuncture as part of your treatment, our team at True Health is here to help.
