Acupuncture helps Diabetic Neuropathy RESEARCH
- August 03, 2010
- Acupuncture,Pain Relief,Research Articles
In a study carried out at the University of Manchester, UK, forty-six diabetic patients with chronic painful peripheral neuropathy were treated with acupuncture to determine its efficacy and long-term effectiveness.
Patients initially received up to six courses of classical acupuncture over a period of 10 weeks, using traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture points.
Of forty-four patients who completed the study, 34 (77%) showed significant improvement in their primary and/or secondary symptoms. These patients were followed up for a period of up to a year, with 67% able to stop or reduce their medications significantly. During the follow-up period only eight (24%) patients required further acupuncture treatment. Although 34 patients noted significant improvement in their symptoms, only seven reported complete disappearance of symptoms.
The data suggested that acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy for the long-term management of painful diabetic neuropathy. (Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 39(2):115-21 1998 Feb).
