Acupuncture's impact and potential dangers when dealing with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and progressive disease that affects the central nervous system. While there is no cure for MS, various treatments are available to manage its symptoms. One such treatment that has gained attention is acupuncture, a form of East Asian medicine based on the body's life force or energy flow, known as qi, which moves through pathways in the body called meridians.
However, it's important to note that there is currently limited direct scientific evidence specifically supporting the use of acupuncture for managing symptoms in people with MS. Most research on acupuncture’s neurological effects relates to other conditions such as cognitive impairment after cancer treatment or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, rather than MS explicitly.
Some relevant points from available research include:
- Acupuncture has shown efficacy in enhancing cognitive function and alleviating peripheral neuropathy symptoms in other neurological or systemic diseases. Since MS can involve neuropathic pain and cognitive dysfunction, these findings are suggestive but not conclusive for MS.
- Clinical trials investigating acupuncture combined with other therapies (e.g., repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) for neurological conditions are ongoing, aiming to clarify mechanisms involved in brain functional reorganization. However, these are not MS-specific trials.
- Preliminary evidence supports acupuncture for sleep quality and daytime function improvement in other chronic neurological conditions, which are relevant for MS patients who often suffer from fatigue and sleep disturbances. However, these results have not been extended conclusively to MS.
No high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically evaluating acupuncture's effect on MS symptoms like spasticity, fatigue, or neuropathic pain were found in the reviewed sources.
In summary, while acupuncture shows promise in managing certain neurological symptoms related to cognition and neuropathy, robust scientific evidence for its efficacy and safety specifically in MS symptom management remains insufficient and requires further dedicated clinical trials.
If you want to explore acupuncture for MS symptoms, it is advisable to consult healthcare providers experienced in integrative neurology, as existing evidence is preliminary and indirect. It's also crucial to be aware that, when performed by a licensed professional using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is generally considered safe. However, complications such as diseases from unsterile needles, infection in people with damaged heart valves, and bleeding and bruising in people who take blood-thinning medications can occur in rare cases.
Some studies suggest that acupuncture may improve both incontinence and bladder urgency in people with MS, but the effect varies depending on the acupuncturist. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
In conclusion, while acupuncture may offer some benefits for managing certain symptoms in people with MS, the current evidence is limited. As research continues, it's hoped that more definitive answers will emerge regarding its potential role in managing MS symptoms. In the meantime, it's essential to consult with healthcare providers who are knowledgeable about integrative neurology to make informed decisions about treatment options.
[1] Xu, J., et al. (2017). Acupuncture for the treatment of cancer-related cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 143(12), 2499-2509.
[2] Chen, Y., et al. (2019). Acupuncture for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 37(29), 3339-3347.
[3] Han, J., et al. (2017). Acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke, 48(10), 2444-2453.
[4] Peng, J., et al. (2018). Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic neurological diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology, 90(15), e1351-e1360.
[5] Kim, Y., et al. (2017). Acupuncture for the treatment of sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 33, 100-109.
- The current scientific evidence does not provide conclusive support for using acupuncture to manage symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), as most research on this treatment is related to other conditions like cognitive impairment or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
- While acupuncture has shown potential in improving cognitive function and alleviating neuropathy symptoms in other neurological or systemic diseases, its efficacy for MS is not yet definitively proven, as there are no high-quality randomized controlled trials specifically evaluating acupuncture's effect on MS symptoms like spasticity, fatigue, or neuropathic pain.
- Current research suggests that acupuncture could possibly improve sleep quality and daytime function in people with chronic neurological conditions, which may be relevant for MS patients who often experience fatigue and sleep disturbances, however, these findings have not been extended conclusively to MS.
- There are ongoing clinical trials investigating acupuncture combined with other therapies for neurological conditions, aiming to clarify mechanisms involved in brain functional reorganization, but these are not MS-specific trials.
- Some preliminary studies suggest that acupuncture may improve incontinence and bladder urgency in people with MS, but further research is necessary to confirm these findings and establish acupuncture as a viable treatment for MS management.
