Occlusive needles, a term that is a regular feature in my office. Whenever a patient walks into the clinic with chronic pain or acute injury, closed needles are often mentioned as a potential solution. In my many years of medical practice, occlusive needles have been both highly regarded as "good medicine" and "poison". Which side is closer to the truth? Let me share a true story to demystify the closed needle. Last fall, Mr. Li suffered a serious waist injury due to an accidental fall. After initial imaging, although there were no fractures, the soft tissue damage was quite severe. Mr. Li struggled to sleep every day due to severe pain, and regular painkillers were a drop in the bucket for him. After repeated outpatient discussions, we decided to perform a closed needle treatment for his lower back. The occlusive needle is performed precisely and carefully, and we use local anesthetics and hormones with the aim of reducing inflammation and blocking the transmission of pain signals. Mr. Lee felt significant relief within a few hours of the injection – the first pain-free he felt in weeks. However, the effect of the occlusive needle is not permanent. For Mr. Lee, this relief lasted for about three months. During this time, we also arranged physiotherapy and lifestyle adjustments to assist in recovery.
Pros and cons of closed needles
Advantages: Occlusive needles provide rapid pain relief, which is especially important for patients with chronic pain. It allows patients to return to their daily activities in a shorter period of time and improves their quality of life. Point-of-care therapy: By injecting the drug directly into the pain point or inflammatory area, the occlusive needle can exert a more precise effect, avoiding the possible side effects of systemic drug therapy. Long-lasting treatment results: While the duration of the effects varies from person to person, occlusive needles can often provide relief for weeks or even months. Risks of possible side effects: including local infection, pain at the injection site, muscle atrophy or tendon damage, etc. Incorrect injection techniques or improper drug dose control can both increase the risk of side effects. Individual differences in effect: The efficacy of occlusive needles is not the same for every patient, and some patients may not experience the expected pain relief, or the effect may last much shorter than expected. May lead to dependence: frequent use of closed needle therapy, especially if the cause is not thoroughly addressed, may lead to dependence on closed needles, neglecting to seek a more fundamental treatment.
Proper use of the closure needle
1. Identify indications
Physician's evaluation: A thorough evaluation by a medical professional should confirm the suitability of occlusive needle therapy before considering occlusive acupuncture. Indications include, but are not limited to, chronic pain, acute neuralgia, etc.
Correct diagnosis: Occlusive needles are not suitable for all types of pain and must be based on the correct etiological diagnosis.
2. Choose the right medication
Types of drugs: Commonly used drugs include local anesthetics, corticosteroids, etc., and specific drugs should be selected according to the condition and the doctor's recommendation.
Dosage control: The dosage of the drug should be strictly followed by the doctor's instructions, excessive or improper use may lead to serious side effects.
3. Injection techniques
Professional procedure: Closed needle injections should be performed by a trained physician to ensure accurate injection and reduce damage to surrounding tissues.
Aseptic operation: The injection process must be carried out under sterile conditions to prevent infection.
4. Observation and tracking
Pain recording: Patients should record changes in pain after the injection so that the doctor can evaluate the effect of the treatment.
Regular check-ups: After the injection, you should visit the doctor regularly to adjust the treatment plan according to the condition.
5. Understand the potential risks
Short-term side effects: may include pain at the injection site, redness and swelling, infection, etc.
Long-term risks: Frequent use of occlusive needles may lead to tissue damage or drug dependence.
6. Avoid abuse
Non-preferred treatment: occlusive needles should be used as adjunctive therapy when other treatments have not been effective, and should not be used as a first choice for long-term pain management. Patient education: Clinicians should clearly explain to patients the role, risks, and frequency of use of closed needles to avoid unrealistic dependence on them. With the above steps, occlusive needles can be used as an effective treatment tool to help patients reduce pain. However, it must be used with caution under the guidance of a medical professional to ensure safety and efficacy.
Frequency and long-term effects of occlusive needle use
The use of frequency occlusive needles is often used to treat chronic pain, especially in the setting of spine and joint pain. The frequency of use depends on the patient's specific condition and pain level. In general, the effects of occlusive needles can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. In some cases, your doctor may recommend repeating injections at intervals, usually a few weeks to a few months, to maintain pain control. However, doctors closely monitor the patient's reaction and physical condition to avoid over-reliance or potential side effects. Long-term effectsAlthough occlusive needles have brought significant pain relief to many patients, there may be some risks and side effects associated with long-term use of occlusive needles. Long-term or frequent use of occlusive needles may cause the following problems: Tissue damage: Long-term injections may cause localized tissue damage or scarring. Drug tolerance: Prolonged drug exposure may cause the patient to become tolerant to the drug, resulting in a gradual decrease in the drug's effectiveness. Hormonal effects: Occlusive needles often contain steroids, and long-term injections may affect hormonal balance, causing weight gain, increased blood sugar, or decreased bone density. Risk of infection: There is a potential risk of infection with any injection, and although the probability of occurrence is low, repeated injections may increase the risk of infection. Therefore, occlusive needles should be used under strict guidance from a doctor, and patients should be evaluated regularly to ensure that the treatment is both safe and effective. At the same time, explore other pain management approaches, such as physiotherapy, lifestyle modification, and behavioral therapy, as part of a comprehensive pain management program to reduce reliance on closed needles.