Introduction: Current research suggests that more than 80 per cent of amputees suffer from phantom pain and phantom sensations post-amputation. Whilst the evidence for the use of acupuncture in this condition is limited, the results have been positive to date. This study was undertaken to investigate the use of acupuncture following upper limb amputation in a male patient suffering from debilitating phantom pain and other phantom phenomena, including the feeling that his phantom hand was clenched shut. Method: Three sessions of acupuncture at a specialised amputee therapy centre utilised points on the contralateral limb, combined with acupressure around the shoulder girdle of the amputated limb. Points utilised were on multiple channels, including the Lung, Large Intestine, Liver, Small Intestine, Heart, Pericardium and San Jiao (Triple Burner). Outcomes were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and subjective reports from the patient. Results: Initially the VAS was nine out of ten for pain. During the second session the patient reported that his phantom hand felt as if it had partially opened, and it remained open over the next few weeks. During the third session he reported that the hand had opened fully and was now completely flat. The VAS score was now four out of ten. Conclusions: Although there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of acupuncture in the treatment of phantom phenomena, this case study clearly highlights its potential benefits. Further work is needed to establish a larger body of evidence for this intervention to ensure that the management of this complex condition is optimised for the future.
For the cost of 5 articles (students) or 10 articles (practitioners) you can buy a year's access to the entire Journal of Chinese Medicine article archive.
Subscribe online now
SKU: JCM111-19
Availability: In stock
With this product, you earn 6 loyalty point(s).
-OR-
Orders shipped outside of Europe are eligible for VAT relief and will not be charged VAT.
This website requires cookies to provide all of its features. For more information on what data is contained in the cookies, please see our Privacy Policy page. To accept cookies from this site, please click the Allow button below.