Study presents acupuncture as potential treatment for diabetic neuropathy

A recent review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences revealed the effectiveness of traditional Eastern acupuncture techniques in reducing the symptoms and severity of diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is the irreversible nerve damage caused by elevated glucose levels in the bloodstream. People with this condition may experience a range of symptoms, including mild numbness, organ failure or even fatality.

Nearly half of diabetic patients suffer from nerve damage in their limbs, and over 30 percent experience systemwide organ damage.

Recently, researchers Eunwoo Cho and Woojin Kim found that short-term acupuncture treatment can significantly reduce mechanical pain, which occurs in response to external stresses like pressure or movement.

According to the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian studies, acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicinal practice that uses needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points, which generates increased nerve activity and sensitivity.

Extended treatment trials in Cho and Kim’s study demonstrated a further reduction in pain levels and significant improvements in nerve health for patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Thus, acupuncture is emerging as a potentially effective treatment method for diabetic neuropathy, a condition for which an optimal treatment has yet to emerge.

Dr. Aiping Liu, a lead practitioner at Silicon Valley-based clinic Enmunity Acupuncture, says that diabetic neuropathy is a common complication she encounters in nearly 30% of patients. 

“When they come to us, many patients are already losing sight or feeling in their arms or legs,” Liu said. 

Liu and many other healthcare professionals recognize the promise of acupuncture for treating diabetic neuropathy. 

“Continued research could be the key to bringing acupuncture to the Western world, which would open the doors to many unexplored healthcare opportunities,” Liu said.

Due to acupuncture’s limited side effects, high versatility and compatibility with several conventional treatments and medications, it has significant potential to become a supplementary treatment option for various illnesses and may open doors for exploring new avenues to combat illnesses.

“The future of medicine is the Eastern and Western world working together, and this is a great first step towards that dream,” Liu said. “If we can fight something like diabetic neuropathy, who knows what might be next?”