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Acupuncture Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

According to Mayo Clinic, a number of studies have proven that acupuncture may be effective in alleviating symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis. Acupuncture is a process in which fine needles are inserted into the patient’s skin, bringing about the stimulation of the natural pain killers in the body.

  1. Need

    • According to Huang Quin Feng of the Shanghai School of Medicine, acupuncture is the better treatment because allopathic treatment does not permanently cure the problem. Symptoms may disappear for a while but tend to relapse.

    Uses

    • Acupuncture is used for mild and chronic ulcerative colitis. Acupuncture mainly focuses on symptomatic relief, and because the main cause is not known, specific therapies are not available.

    Treatment

    • The treatment involves placing needles at strategic points for 30 minutes. Sedative or tonic methods may be used, depending on the whether the ulcerative colitis is acute or chronic. A diet that does not contain dairy products and raw foods is recommended to avoid relapses.

    Limitations

    • Acupuncture has not been proven effective in severe ulcerative colitis and associated complications like toxic megacolon and toxic colitis. Complications like fulminating toxic colitis, free perforation and massive hemorrhage cannot be treated by acupuncture. In these cases, it becomes necessary to adopt the conventional medicine route.
      http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/aama_marf/journal/vol13_3/article1.html

    Risks and Side Effects

    • According to FDA regulation, the needles used in acupuncture should be sterile, nontoxic and labeled for single use. Complications result from use of unsterilized needles and in certain cases can cause punctured organs and infections.

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