Dear Editor,
It is commonly accepted that acupuncture can relieve mild-to-moderate pain. It is difficult to believe that acupuncture can significantly reduce severe pain resulting from a perforated stomach ulcer. I describe such a case below.
Around 11:20 pm, on July 9, 2010, I (a 69-year-old acupuncturist) was awakened by intense pain—“a tearing of my stomach.” I was home alone, sleeping, when this pain awoke me. I was unable to call for help, as there was no telephone in the bedroom. When I attempted to get out of bed, I fell to the floor, because the pain was so intense. Fortunately, I was able to reach the acupuncture needles located close to my bedside. I inserted three surgical, stainless steel needles (0.25×40 mm-Helio Medical Supplies, Inc.) deeply (approximately 25 mm) to acupoint Neiguan (PC 6) in my left arm, according to the classical method of Traditional Chinese Medicine. With hand manipulations, I lifted and thrust the needles swiftly while twisting them clockwise and counterclockwise, continually for 5 minutes. Then, the pain was greatly reduced. With the three needles retained at acupoint Neiguan (PC 6), I got up immediately, located the telephone in the other room, and called 911 for immediate assistance. The pain continued to be relieved for 3 hours or more.
Upon admission to the Richmond Kaiser emergency department, in Richmond, California, my vital signs were as follows: blood pressure, 99/48 mm Hg; pulse, 66; temperature 98.6°F; and laboratory results, hemoglobin/hematocrit 13.0/37.8. An abdominal X-ray revealed that pneumoperitoneum was present, suggesting a perforated gastric ulcer. Surgery was performed at once, revealing a 1-cm defect ulcer just proximal to the pylorus. After surgical repair of the ulcer, I have fully recovered.
The above outcome suggests that further investigation of acupuncture anesthesia and its impact on severe pain is warranted.
