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Here is an example of a protocol for Acupuncture treatment for phantom limb pain:
| Underlying pathology | * Qi and blood stagnation ( swelling and heamatoma) * Pathologies speicific to the individual ( as diagnosed during assesment) |
|---|---|
| Main treatment principles | *Massage and reduce pain *Move Qi and blood *Treat pathologies diagnosed during assesment which are specific to the individual. *Reduce stress and calm the mind if necessary |
| Style of acupuncture | * Combination of body and auricular acupuncture |
| Limbs needled | *Opposite limb to the amputation and possibly also the residual limb |
| Recommended auricular points | *Shenmen (to calm the mind and reduce pain) *Sympathetic ( to manage stress and anxiety) *Points corresponding to the lower limb |
| Recommended body acupuncture points | *Local points on the stump depending on the health of the tissue and the patients reaction *Mirroring local and distal points by needling them on the opposite limb *Points on the lower back taking a segmental approach to dermatomal pain *4 gates (Li4 and Lr3) or Lr 3 *GV20 ( to lift the spirit, decrease stress and improve sleep) * Sp10 |
| Try and obtain Deqi when needling | *Yes |
| Needle retention time | *20-30 min. |
| Needle manipulation during retention time | *Consensus not met |
| Use electro-acupuncture | *Consensus not met |
| Use of moxa, cupping or other adjunctive treatment | *Consensus not met |
| Treatment frequency | *Weekly or twice weekly and reduce frequency a symptoms abate |
| Total number of treatments | *At least six (approximately 10) |
From: BMJ