Acupuncture can relieve neuropathy pain
Numbness. A tingling or burning feeling. Pain in your arms or legs. These sensations may mean peripheral neuropathy. This type of nerve damage in the arms or legs is common in people with diabetes.
Treatment options for neuropathy (nerve damage) vary. One you may not be familiar with is acupuncture.
"Acupuncture is a complementary medicine," says Bobbee Vang, acupuncturist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Institute for Health and Healing. "You should keep watching your blood sugar, taking your medicines and eating the right foods."
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine used to lower the pain caused by neuropathy in people with diabetes. Acupuncture may help when conventional drug therapies do not. This complementary medicine may also enhance current treatment.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture involves putting hair-thin needles into certain locations on the body called acupoints. Different size needles can be used, depending on one’s level of feeling.
A patient may feel a little prick at the beginning, but shouldn't have much pain once the needles are in, says Vang.
Acupuncturists are very cautious when treating patients with diabetes, especially when placing needles in lower limbs.
"We use a complex and holistic assessment to determine where needles should be placed," says Vang. Needles are sometimes placed where it hurts. But even more importantly, they are placed in multiple parts of the body that promote the healing process.
Many times, patients will lie on a bed while the needles are placed. The needles usually stay in the acupoints for about 20 to 30 minutes.
"A patient will become very relaxed during the treatment and then may even feel energized afterwards," says Vang.
Trying acupuncture
If you would like to try acupuncture, talk with your doctor to find out if it is right for you.
"Although promising results have shown the value of acupuncture, it is not a cure," says Vang. "Be sure that you and your acupuncturist work with your physician and nutritionist on all aspects of your care."
You may find an acupuncturist in these ways:
- Ask your doctor or someone else on your diabetes care team.
- Call Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Institute for Health and Healing at 612-863-3333.
- Call the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice at 1-800-657-3709 or (for the hearing impaired) 1-800-627-3529, or visit www.bmp.state.mn.us. The Board can provide a list of medical professionals who are licensed in traditional Chinese medicine.
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Acupuncture Diabetic neuropathy Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Source: Bobbee Vang, licensed acupuncturist, Institute for Health and Healing, Abbott Northwestern Hospital
First published: 06/30/2006
Last updated: 06/30/2006
Reviewed by: Mary Frederick, RN, diabetes program manager, Allina Medical Clinic; Paul Kleeberg, MD, medical director, Allina.com
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