Gold Tipped Needles causing abcesses

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Hi Attilio,

 

> Please note that i have just uploaded this important article into

> adverse effects of 'gold tipped' acupuncture where the tip is

> intentionally broken off into the abdomen. In this report it caused

> abdominal abscesses. Never heard of it myself, have others? Is it

> being practised in the west, as i sure hope not.

 

Different forms of AP therapy using implants are used, even in the

west. I have not heard of implanting gold-tipped AP needles in

abdominal points. IMO, that would be risky indeed, whereas gold

bead implants would be much less risky.

 

Acupoint implants have been SEMIPERMANENT (such as micro-

arrowheads or special ear needles for earpoints, catgut for body

points), or PERMANENT. The most common permanent implants

include 24-carat jewellers gold wire, platinum wire, orthopaedic

suture wire, etc. The wire is is cut into 2-4mm lengths and crimped

(bent over on itself) in a pliers or forceps to remove the risk of

migration from the implanted site(s). The sterilised (autoclaved)

gold beads, or crimped implants, are inserted into 16-gauge

needles (as guide cannulas) before implantation at the selected

points. Implantation in animals is done under short-acting general

anaesthesia. Implantation in humans might be done under local

anaesthesia.

 

A Japanese report some years ago reported damage due to

migration of permanently implanted snipped-off AP needles in the

neck of a human patient. One of these needles entered the spinal

cord serious neurological deficits that did not respond to surgical

removal of the foreign bodies.

 

Gold bead or gold wire acupoint implants are used very commonly

in dogs for hip dysplasia or chronic arthroses. Erhard Schulze

(Germany), has treated nearly 3300 dogs with gold bead AP implants. He has

claimed remarkable success, with little risk of adverse reactions. His website [

http://www.ta-schulze.de ].describes the procedure. Use Google or Babelfish to

translate the page.

 

Many other vets, for example Terry Durkes (USA) and Are Thoresen (Norway),

have used gold implants in animals and claimed excellent results. Terry and

Erhardt use gold implants mainly near the hip joint (esp near GB30). Are told

me that gold wire at LV03 gives great success in hip dysplasia without the

need for local implants near GB30. He has also used gold implants in humans.

 

I have heard of rare cases of migration of the implants into the acetabulum,

causing severe arthralgia and requiring surgical removal.

 

> What's the theory behind it?

 

Different western users of acupoint implants have different theories. IMO, the

presence of implants (foreign bodies) at acupoints changes the electrical

conductivity at the points. They induce a permanent mild acupoint stimulus.

Implant proponents say that the method is preferable in CHRONIC problems

that otherwise would require multiple AP sessions to heal.

 

Although I used gold bead, gold wire and orthopaedic wire acupoint implants in

some dogs many years ago, I do not use implantation today. I (and many other

vets) find that simple needling at intervals gives adequate results, even in hip

dysplasia cases with marked radiological hip lesions.

 

> Does anyone want to write a letter to the New England Journal and

> explain that it isn't widely practiced and condemn it?

 

IMO, it would be useful if an MD on the list would reply to the NEJM article. I

am prepared to coauthor a letter if an MD will be senior author.

 

I would condemn that PARTICULAR use of implants (and indeed, any form of

needle implant that might allow migration from the site). However, I would NOT

ban implantation AP outright.

 

Many different implants are used in medicine. They include electronic ID tags,

pacemakers, orthopaedic wire, screws, plates, electrodes for direct stimulation

of the spinal cord, etc.

 

All permanent implants carry some risk of infection or local trauma, migration

into nerve or blood vessels, etc. But, considering the number of implanted

devices, the risk seems to be minimal if one uses common sense and does the

procedure properly.

 

 

Best regards,

 

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