Pain. 1976 Jun; 2(2): 149-59.

Observations on the analgesic effects of needle puncture (acupuncture).

Levine JD, Gormley J, Fields HL.

The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the analgesic effect of needle puncture in a small self-selected group of patients with chronic or acute pain, and to examine the factors which determine success or failure of this treatment modality. We have found that in chronic painful conditions, needle puncture may be very effective in producing at least transient analgesia. It also can produce permanent relief of acute (self-limited) pains. Needle puncture was not helpful in the management of pain resulting from nerve damage. High score on psychometric indicators of anxiety and depression is a significant predictor os successful needle puncture analgesia in patients with chronic pain. Comparison of our results to studies of counterirritation indicate that the analgesia produced by needle puncture involves a mechanism similar to that of counterirritation-induced analgesia.