New Research on the Clinical Efficacy of Electro Acupuncture for the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain
A randomised controlled trial aimed to establish the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture for chronic neck pain. The study found that electroacupuncture significantly alleviated chronic neck pain symptoms immediately, with the relief persisting for up to five months.
Recent research has emphasised the potential of electroacupuncture in offering significant relief for people with chronic neck pain. Electroacupuncture involves controlled electrical stimulation delivered through acupuncture needles, thereby enhancing its therapeutic effects. This method has attracted considerable interest because of its ability to modulate nociceptive pathways, reduce inflammation, and aid tissue repair. These findings offer valuable treatment options for patients looking for effective integrated approaches or alternatives to pharmacological treatments.
Chronic neck pain has been shown to affect up to 48% of people and imposes a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as acupuncture, have long been a viable option for many patients; however, there are no established referral pathways in the UK that connect state-regulated healthcare professionals with qualified acupuncturists. This means that, although evidence supports acupuncture’s effectiveness for chronic pain, those suffering from pain conditions must primarily seek alternative options independently, and health professionals have no support network to refer to acupuncturist specialists.
Electroacupuncture shows improved pain relief by triggering bioactive molecules through different pathways in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
In this trial, the acupuncturists administering electroacupuncture were highly qualified professionals with a minimum of five years of experience. Participants suffering from chronic neck pain were eligible to receive ten sessions of electro-acupuncture at twice-weekly intervals.
Help to find a qualified acupuncturist near you:
Lianne Aquilina RDN, Dip Ay, BSc Hons, MSc, MAAC, MBAcC, BMAS, MATCM
Lianne worked closely with three osteopaths upon graduation in 2005, and also at a GP surgery and was the acupuncturist called upon to treat complex medical conditions, and stubborn musculoskeletal conditions that were non-responsive to usual care. Lianne has two well-established and busy Aquilia acupuncture clinics, one in Stamford, Lincolnshire, and the other in Baldock, Hertfordshire. Find out more here.
