Re: Shoulder pain and acupuncture/CAM provision in the NHS
Sir/Madam
Tanya Trayers enthusiasm for the effectiveness of acupuncture is
certainly not misplaced although her apparent suggestion that a cheap
equally effective 'acupuncture service' might be gained from additional
training in the technique for physios, nurses, doctors and other medical
professionals, as compared to employing acupuncture professionals having
an extensive background in the doctrine that underpins the safest most
effective delivery of acupuncture, is certainly misplaced.
I suspect she does not appreciate the value of an extensive training
in traditional principles and methodologies that have underpinned the use
of acupuncture for generations. I welcome any opportunity to improve her
understanding in that regard.
The acupoint S38 is generally used to treat acute frozen shoulder at
the opposite side; for same side, GB34 is traditionally used for best
effect. Neither are as effective when the condition becomes more chronic
and other points are better used according to the location, type and
chronicity of disorder in each patient; both points must be used with
caution because, as their titles imply, S38 also has a powerful effect on
stomach function and GB34 on gall bladder function so patients with
underlying pathologies affecting those organs
a. might find those pathologies are affected positively or adversely
depending what kind of stimulation is applied and for how long to those
points and
b.might find the shoulder problem is a reflection of those
pathologies which are actually involved in causation of the frozen
shoulder symptoms
I find that such considerations are usually ignored, or not
understood at all, by practitioners unfamiliar with TCM doctrine and, as
such, they are incapable of recognising the full implications of their
acupuncture intervention.
In addition, anyone familiar with TCM would also be aware that
stimulation of any stomach point has a knock on effect to other organ
systems depending how stimulation is applied; for example over-
tonification or sedation of stomach points can affect heart, kidney, liver
and lung functions to different degrees; similarly for GB points, and
indeed any point selected. Those potential effects are predictable through
TCM considerations so acupoints are selected for simultaneous stimulation
according to a patient's individual state of health and constitution to
ensure a safe balance when any single point has been identified for
stimulation.
I hope Tanya is familiar with these essential considerations before,
as one of my old Chinese professors used to instill in his students, she
decides it RIGHT to insert an acupuncture needle into the right patient at
the right time in the right place.
Regards
John H.
Competing interests:
Specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine - acupuncture & moxibustion
Rapid Response:
Re: Shoulder pain and acupuncture/CAM provision in the NHS
Sir/Madam
Tanya Trayers enthusiasm for the effectiveness of acupuncture is
certainly not misplaced although her apparent suggestion that a cheap
equally effective 'acupuncture service' might be gained from additional
training in the technique for physios, nurses, doctors and other medical
professionals, as compared to employing acupuncture professionals having
an extensive background in the doctrine that underpins the safest most
effective delivery of acupuncture, is certainly misplaced.
I suspect she does not appreciate the value of an extensive training
in traditional principles and methodologies that have underpinned the use
of acupuncture for generations. I welcome any opportunity to improve her
understanding in that regard.
The acupoint S38 is generally used to treat acute frozen shoulder at
the opposite side; for same side, GB34 is traditionally used for best
effect. Neither are as effective when the condition becomes more chronic
and other points are better used according to the location, type and
chronicity of disorder in each patient; both points must be used with
caution because, as their titles imply, S38 also has a powerful effect on
stomach function and GB34 on gall bladder function so patients with
underlying pathologies affecting those organs
a. might find those pathologies are affected positively or adversely
depending what kind of stimulation is applied and for how long to those
points and
b.might find the shoulder problem is a reflection of those
pathologies which are actually involved in causation of the frozen
shoulder symptoms
I find that such considerations are usually ignored, or not
understood at all, by practitioners unfamiliar with TCM doctrine and, as
such, they are incapable of recognising the full implications of their
acupuncture intervention.
In addition, anyone familiar with TCM would also be aware that
stimulation of any stomach point has a knock on effect to other organ
systems depending how stimulation is applied; for example over-
tonification or sedation of stomach points can affect heart, kidney, liver
and lung functions to different degrees; similarly for GB points, and
indeed any point selected. Those potential effects are predictable through
TCM considerations so acupoints are selected for simultaneous stimulation
according to a patient's individual state of health and constitution to
ensure a safe balance when any single point has been identified for
stimulation.
I hope Tanya is familiar with these essential considerations before,
as one of my old Chinese professors used to instill in his students, she
decides it RIGHT to insert an acupuncture needle into the right patient at
the right time in the right place.
Regards
John H.
Competing interests:
Specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine - acupuncture & moxibustion
Competing interests: No competing interests