KLINISK NEUROAKUPUNKTUR

Peder Bo Christensen

Acupuncture as Treatment for Pericarditis: A Review of Evidence

Introduction:

Pericarditis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever. While conventional treatments such as medication and rest are often used to relieve pericarditis symptoms, alternative approaches like acupuncture have been investigated as a potential treatment. This article will examine the current evidence for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of pericarditis.

Evidence for Acupuncture Treatment of Pericarditis:

There is limited research in this area, but some studies suggest that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for relieving pericarditis symptoms. A study published in Acupuncture in Medicine in 2019 evaluated the effect of acupuncture in patients with chronic pericarditis and found that acupuncture treatment resulted in a significant reduction in pain and inflammation (Li et al., 2019).

Mechanisms Behind Acupuncture Treatment:

The precise mechanism by which acupuncture may affect pericarditis is not fully understood and requires further research. However, some studies suggest that acupuncture may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects that could potentially alleviate symptoms associated with pericarditis (Langevin et al., 2019).

Perspectives:

While more research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms of action and optimize treatment protocols, the existing evidence suggests that acupuncture may be a promising treatment option for relieving symptoms of pericarditis.

References:

Li, Z., Wang, L., & Cui, J. (2019). Effect of acupuncture therapy on chronic pericarditis. Acupuncture in Medicine, 37(1), 28-33.

Langevin, H. M., Schnyer, R., MacPherson, H., & Davis, R. (2019). Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. In Evidence-Based Acupuncture (pp. 71-83). Springer, Cham