Reviewed by Janet D. Pearl, MD, MSc
Acupuncture is a holistic method of care that is known to improve the flow of energy across the inflamed tissues to enhance the pace of healing. Acupuncture began before 2500 BC in China and is now used all over the world to treat disease and pain, to improve general health, and even as an anesthetic. This is traditionally achieved by the careful insertion of very fine needles at well-defined pressure points. The overall purpose of the treatment is to bring the (female principle) and (male principle) back into balance with one another. It is believed that acupuncture promotes natural healing and regenerative potential of the inflamed tissues.
An acupuncturist should conduct detailed history and examination to identify the exact site of tissue inflammation via careful examination and tests in order to improve the quality of results. Acupuncture therapy for Morton neuroma often involves a combination of holistic practices such as:
Unfortunately, there have been no clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of any of these holistic approaches in Morton’s neuroma.
There is a misconception among general population that acupuncture is a painful and risky procedure that always involves needling of inflamed tissues. In reality, acupuncture is a fairly sophisticated and calculated procedure that involves stimulation or activation of natural healing pathways. It is speculated that acupuncture works via:
To sum up, natural and holistic methods of care like acupuncture are a viable alternative to more traditional treatments but their effectiveness in Morton’s neuroma has not been proven. In general, acupuncture provides symptomatic relief from pain symptoms, while improving the overall health of the inflamed tissues by facilitating healing and tissue regeneration.
