Electroacupuncture for the treatment of calcific tendonitis. A pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 3 January 2018 Source:Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Georgios Papadopoulos, Alexandros Mavrodontidis, Antonia Liarmakopoulou, Petros Tzimas P, Georgios Angelidakis, Panagiotis Koulouvaris, Anastasios Petrou Current treatment for calcific tendonitis consists of arm rest, anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections. If unsuccessful, a lot of clinicians suggest several physiotherapy modalities, such as shockwave therapy and electrotherapy. The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture, as a substitute for failed medical treatment in calcific tendonitis. In a pilot study, we prospectively followed ten patients, treated with electroacupuncture for calcific tendonitis, that failed to respond to medical treatment. Its efficacy was assessed by evaluating the level of pain, the Beck Depression Inventory, the range of active elbow mobility and by repeated radiological evaluation of the course of calcific deposits. All clinical and radiological observations were recorded before and within 6 months after the onset of treatment. After electroacupuncture treatment (2 Hz, 180 mA for 30-60 sec at GB21, GB34, LI4, LI 14, LI15, TW5, TW14, Chien Chien SI9, SI12, S37, S38) the Visual Analogue Score decreased notably and the range of motion returned to normal. Radiological evaluation demonstrated almost complete absorption of calcific deposits within 6 months, post treatment. We conclud...
Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research