- finger pressure, which is known as acupressure or, in Japan, shiatsu.
- small heated cups placed on the points (“cupping”).
- electroacupuncture, which uses electrically stimulated needles.
- “moxibustion” in which smoldering fibers of an herb (Asian mugwort or “moxa”) are placed on the points, or used to heat needles after insertion.
Studies in MS
Few clinical studies have been conducted to assess acupuncture effectiveness in people with MS. One preliminary study was recently conducted in Canada to evaluate whether acupuncture might improve bladder function in people with MS. This well designed but small study (involving 41 people) suggested that bladder urgency and incontinence might be improved through the use of acupuncture. However, the effect varied depending on the particular acupuncturist performing the procedure. Several other reported trials of acupuncture in MS involved very small numbers of people and were not well designed. It is difficult to draw any conclusions based on those studies. Two large surveys—one in the United States and one in Canada—have been conducted involving people with MS and acupuncture. Although the results of surveys are not as convincing as those from clinical trials, they are an important method for generating ideas for further research. The preliminary findings of both studies are similar. In each, 20–25% of the respondents who said they have MS had tried acupuncture, and 10–15% of those who tried it indicated that they planned to continue using it. In both surveys, pain, spasticity, and numbness or tingling were among the symptoms most frequently reported to be improved. Other symptoms that were frequently reported to be improved by acupuncture included fatigue, depression, anxiety, and bowel or bladder function.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.nationalmssociety.org/)
