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Acupuncture to treat pain

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Acupuncture as a natural painkiller

Chronic pain is a major healthcare and social problem affecting more than 30% of the population worldwide. Conventional drugs can quickly alleviate the pain, but the side effects cannot be ignored.


Acupuncture, as a component of traditional Chinese medicine, has been extensively used in the treatment of pain for more than 3000 years, and hundreds of clinical and experimental studies were published during the last decades. Recent evidence proved that acupuncture is effective in treating multiple chronic pain conditions, has no adverse effects and the effect persists over time. It is also recommended by the WHO as an effective, cost-effective treatment for pain without side effects.

Pain conditions and chronic pain related symptoms Acupuncture is a very effective form of treatment for many types of pain, ranging from acute and chronic lower back pain, knee osteoarthritis, migraine and tension headache, neck and shoulder pain, as well as post-operative pain, cancer related pain and childbirth pain.

Acupuncture also yields results in the treatment of fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as contributing significantly to the fight against opiate addiction.

Many people with chronic pain report problems sleeping, fatigue and anxiety, which can be treated with acupuncture.
Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and stiffness and is often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disorders, cognitive dysfunction, headache, asthenia, mood and sleep disorders. Fibromyalgia can cause chronic widespread pain and seriously affect the life quality of patient. Fibromyalgia is most common in women between ages 20 and 55 years old.

Acupuncture can greatly reduce the pain related to fibromyalgia as well as the related symptoms like fatigue, anxiety and sleeping disorder.

Opioid addiction for the treatment of chronic pain

Over the past 15 years opioid overdose and dependence has become an increasing health problem. Switzerland being the 7th largest consumer in the world. Therefore, there is a need for non-pharmacologic and non-addictive strategies for pain management and decrease of opioid dependence.

Acupuncture is a safe alternative to opioid use. In addition, pairing acupuncture treatments with drug treatment for chronic pain greatly increases the beneficial effect, reducing the risk of developing a dependence to the drugs.

Migraine

Migraine is a debilitating condition characterized by recurrent headache, often accompanied by photophobia, phonophobia, or nausea. The standard pharmacotherapies treatments are often accompanied with undesirable adverse effects.

Acupuncture can reduce the frequency of seizures and reduce their intensity, consequently decreasing the use of medication. Acupuncture is very effective and has no side effects.

Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is a peripheral neuropathy that can generate tingling, numbness and pain in the hand and arm. It is due to compression of the median nerve that runs down the arm and reaches the fingers by passing inside a narrow channel (the carpal tunnel) present at the level of the wrist.

Acupuncture is scientifically proven to help relieve its symptoms.
TREATING PAIN WITH ACUPUNCTURE

How does it work?

Acupuncture is increasingly used as an integrative therapy for pain. It is well-tolerated with little risk of serious adverse effects. Acupuncture produces both a local effect (anti-inflammatory, increase of local blood flow, pain receptor inhibitor, etc.) and a central effect (regulation of various neurotransmitters and hormones). Acupuncture activates the release of endorphins, the body’s own opioids, to help reduce the sensation of pain acting as a natural painkiller. 

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Appointment

You can book an appointment online or by calling one of our Sinomedica centers.

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Anamnesis and diagnosis

Your doctor will review your medical history, assess your situation and provide a medical diagnosis.

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Treatment plan

A treatment plan will be adapted to your specific needs, in order to maximize the benefits of the therapy.

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Treatment and monitoring

Every step of your personalized treatment will be monitored to ensure maximum benefits and results.

Testimonials

Woman (age 65)

After more than 10 years of various attempts, no one could find the cause of my persistent and very annoying thigh pain. After two months of acupuncture instead, the pain began to subside and by the third month it was completely gone. It didn't seem real to me that I could go back to doing the simplest things like walking without pain. I continued with maintenance sessions, and after 3 years I continue to have no pain.

Woman (age 63)

After an initial operation on my right hip, I underwent a series of other operations always on the same leg, after which the pains became chronic. I was skeptical, not believing that acupuncture could help, but I had to change my mind: after several sessions my life improved by 80%! Try it to believe!

Woman (age 55)

After an MRI, I was diagnosed with early osteoarthritis. After 8 weeks of acupuncture I began to see improvement; today the pain is not gone, but it is completely bearable! Acupuncture has been decisive for me in many ways and I will continue to undergo monthly sessions; it is money well spent!

Woman (age 71)

I started acupuncture sessions for severe knee and sciatic nerve pain. After two and a half months I have no more pain! Thank you very much!

Woman (age 79)

At first I was just curious. Over time, my curiosity turned into confidence in the treatment, as in 5 months my back stopped hurting and I lost 14 kg!
Thanks to acupuncture and my willpower, I sleep more peacefully, resumed my activities with more energy and zest for life!

Treatment duration

For the maximum benefit of the treatment’s effect, it is key to follow our design and ensure regularity of medical sessions. Based on clinical experience and scientific evidence, medical acupuncture is delivering long-term benefits triggered by treatment cumulative effect. It has been demonstrated that patients following treatment guidelines reach their optimal treatment results over time. 

Risks

Thousands of years of acupuncture practice, scientific evidence, patients and medical practitioners confirm that there are no side effects related to medical acupuncture. Very seldom there may be negligible and temporary mild soreness or bruising. With the use of disposable sterile needles there is no risk of diseases transmission nor infection.

Prices and costs

First session

Anamnesis, diagnosis and acupuncture treatment
between 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
Costs*: CHF 170 / CHF 160 in Ticino

*Administrative fee of CHF 10 included. 

Follow-up sessions

Medical assessment and acupuncture treatment
Between 45 minutes to 60 minutes.
Costs*: CHF 150 / CHF 130 in Ticino

*Administrative fee of CHF 10 included.

  Health insurance

Reimbursement for medical acupuncture depends on your complementary insurance policy. Financial coverage is specific to your policy, therefore please check in advance with your insurance what the coverage conditions are.

UNIQUE MEDICAL APPROACH

Scientific and medical foundations

 

Sinomedica's unique medical acupuncture treatment approach is built on a wealth of knowledge which combines acupuncture and conventional medicine with the latest scientific findings to deliver effective patient-centered medical care.

Our highly qualified specialists, graduates in both Chinese and conventional medicine, practice the unique Sinomedica approach to deliver effective and innovative medical acupuncture.


Our expertise is based on over:
5,400 controlled studies
40,000 scientific publications
2,200 systematic reviews
1,350 meta-analyses
CLARIFY YOUR DOUBTS

Want to learn more about the topic?

Sinomedica specialists have gathered their knowledge based on experience and scientific studies to answer your questions even before you ask them.