Study: Electroacupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic pain

Glial cells are considered to be crucial components of the central nervous system. They do not conduct electrical impulses, such as with neurons, but instead act as a support system for and the insulation between them. Dysregulation among glial cells is noted to be the main factor in neuropathic pain and its associated complications.

A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests using repeated electroacupuncture (EA) treatment as a safe and alternative means to suppress glial activation and therefore reduce the likelihood and/or severity of chronic neuropathic pain.

• One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were grouped equally into four:
  • Sham group
  • Chronic constrictive injury (CCI) group (evidence of a neuropathic pain model)
  • Sham CCI + EA group
  • CCI + EA group
• EA was applied to ST36-GB34 points (bilateral Zusanli–Yanlingquan)
• Mechanical (both time and force responses) and thermal pain threshold were measured on the bilateral hind-paw of the rats.
• Researchers also measured the number of microgliacytes and activity of astrocytes in the dorsal horns of the lumbar spinal cord using immunofluorescence staining.
• Results showed that repeated EA significantly relieved pain threshold and decreased the number of microgliacytes.
• In order for the full effects of EA to be felt, researchers recommend at least two weeks’ worth of treatment.

It was concluded that repeated EA can relieve chronic neuropathic pain.

The full text of the study can be read at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Wang JY, Gao YH, Qiao LN, Zhang JL, Duan-mu CL, Yan YX, Chen SP, Liu JL. REPEATED ELECTROACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT ATTENUATED HYPERALGESIA THROUGH SUPPRESSION OF SPINAL GLIAL ACTIVATION IN CHRONIC NEUROPATHIC PAIN RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 21 February 2018;18(74), DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2134-8