Collateral meridian acupressure therapy effectively relieves postregional anesthesia/analgesia backache

South Med J. 2009 Nov;102(11):1179-82. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181b48351.

Abstract

Epidural and spinal aesthesia may cause backache. In fact, the overall incidence of postneuraxial block backache is 9% to 50% and the incidence of back pain on the third postoperative day ranges from 5.91% to 22% after spinal anesthesia. Five patients suffering from postneuraxial block backache after regional anesthesia or analgesia are reported. Despite administering conventional treatment modalities including bed rest, cold/warm packing, physical therapy, and medications with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), strong analgesics, and opioids, the backache persisted and disturbed the patients' daily life. Surprisingly, utilization of a new acupressure technique, collateral meridian acupressure therapy (CMAT), relieved the backache dramatically.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acupressure*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Analgesia, Obstetrical / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, Spinal / adverse effects
  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Back Pain / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meridians
  • Pregnancy
  • Young Adult