Acupuncture may be effective at reducing symptom intensity in people suffering from burning mouth syndrome (BMS). In a preliminary single-arm trial carried out in Brazil, eight patients received 11 weekly treatments with acupuncture. Body acupoints were chosen for their effect on TCM patterns related to BMS (tonifying Kidney, clearing heat from the Blood, regulating qi and Blood, eliminating Liver fire and regulating the Spleen and Stomach), and on reducing facial pain and muscle tension. Other points were added according to individual patient presentation. These were combined with auricular points, also chosen according to TCM principles (Shenmen, Heart, Kidney, Stomach, Spleen, Central Nervous System and Mouth). The results showed that the intensity of pain/burning decreased significantly after the first treatment (from 4.87 to 2.5 on a visual analogue scale), and continued to decrease after each subsequent treatment, dropping to almost zero in the majority of patients following the 11th treatment. Quality of life scores also showed post-treatment improvement and this was maintained at two-year follow-up.
Combined Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy in Burning Mouth Syndrome Treatment: A Preliminary Single-Arm Clinical Trial.
J Altern Complement Med. 2016 Sep 1.
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