Acupuncture treats phantom limb pain
Updated: Aug 28
Why is pain still felt when the physical body part is no longer there?
The reason is because our body is an energy matrix composing of many layers, and our physical body actually has an energetic layer called the etheric body which closely wraps the physical body as if we have a wet suit on. According to acupuncture healing principles, the human body and its functions are governed by the energy system that resides in the etheric energetic body. The etheric energetic body is where acupuncture does the work, not on the physical body. Although a physical body part is absent, its energetic counterpart and the energy channels connecting to and regulating that body part are still alive and present; this connection continues to facilitate the body's sensory ability and functions (although not 100 per cent, but to whatever degree possible) as if a missing body part is still there. The recognition of the relationship between the etheric energetic body and the physical body of the human system allows acupuncture to heal "mysterious" disorders such as phantom limb pain.
Note that acupuncture treatment for missing limbs applies the same to missing organs whether due to congenital defect or surgical removal.
How acupuncture treats phantom limb pain
Throughout the thousands of years history of acupuncture, it has treated all types of pain. According to acupuncture healing principles, pain is a consequence of obstruction to the energy and blood flow due to many different causes such as impact from physical trauma, overexertion, surgery, prolonged illness, significant inflammation, edema, invasion of evils such as wind, cold, heat, damp, deficiencies, degeneration of the body. Pain can manifest anywhere along numerous energy channels in the body and is not confined only to the local area(s) where the impact occurred. Once the obstructions in the body are removed, energy and blood can free flow again, thus pain ceases to exist.
In acupuncture treatment for phantom limbs, we diagnosis and treat just the same as if the missing body part is still present.
Case study
A female patient, 80 years old, came to us for help with phantom limb pain. She had amputation above the knees in both legs due to diabetes. After the amputation, which was done two years prior to her acupuncture treatment at our clinic, the excruciating and unrelenting pain remained in her phantom feet. She had been on massive doses of pain medications, nonetheless the constant daily pain was so unbearable that she had to reach out to acupuncture in hope for some relief.
In this case, we diagnosed and treated her as if she still has two complete legs although both of her legs were amputated above the knees.
We prescribed six weekly acupuncture sessions plus Chinese herbal medicine. After the first week, the pain in her left phantom foot went away, but pain in right phantom foot remained. After the third week, pain in the right phantom foot was noticeably less. By the sixth session, pain was gone in both phantom feet. Sometimes the pain was felt in her right little phantom toe but was mild and short-lived.
April Bui, LAC is a Texas licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine herbalist, Usui Reiki Master, Holy Fire Reiki Master and Instructor, and owner of Dharma Reiki & Acupuncture clinic. April has been in practice for more than 18 years as an acupuncturist and more than 25 years as a Reiki practitioner. April is passionate about helping people, healing, and teaching. She devotes much focus to her clinical practice as well as training future Reiki healers. April is available for in-person consultation; you will get an in-depth assessment and a personalized treatment plan for your conditions. Schedule your free consultation with April today.
