Expert: Coninyah B. Dew - 8/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have burning in the toes of both feet and piraformis pain in my right buttock. Also recently after being fitted for orthotics within 2 weeks of wearing them, I developed pain in my left ankle. Are these all related? I recently had parathyroid surgery but these issues existed before the surgery. Can Acupuncture resolve/cure any of these conditions and over what span of time. I was also told by my
surgeon that the parathyroid tumor was at least 5 years old. I have had burning in the toes since this past April and Piraformis issues for over 2 years.

ANSWER: Hello Gary,

Thank you for your question. I want to first start by saying acupuncture can be very supportive in helping you to relieve your pain symptoms. The question that comes up for me in not knowing your full medical history is do you have a structural imbalance of the spine and pelvis. Also do you have a history of vascular insufficiency or diabetes? If the answer is yes to these questions, correcting the structural imbalance will help quicken the rate of healing. Acupuncture can help in relieving the muscular tension that is contributing to the piriformis pain you are experiencing as well. Acupuncture can also increase vascular flow to the toes and lower extremities to relieve pain. You should notice a significant improvement in symptoms with your first treatment. Continued treatment however would be necessary to reach a stabilizing stage. Again not knowing your full history, I am unable to say how long treatments should last in order to stabilize your condition. I would recommend that you do visit a nationally certified acupuncturist for a consultation. I hope this has been helpful and I do wish you the very best. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have.

Best Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you.  I have hypoglycemia, but have not been diagnosed with diabetes. I have a tight right hip, but no pelvis or spine issues, other than a longer right leg than left. I have had 2 acupuncture treatments so far, 2 days apart with no reduction in the toes burning yet. Should I have experienced something yet? I am also taking 8 different herbal remedies to support my adrenals and endocrine system.  
No lasting change in the piraformis yet, but I am having chinese structural work done next week. Do you have any further comments regarding the acupuncture for the toes? How many treatments should i do before I know it may not be the answer?

Thank you so very much!

Answer
Hello Gary,

Thank you for providing additional information. In terms of your first question, I am concluding that you have received some relief for the pain you are experiencing in the piriformis. If this is the case, regular treatment should continue until you have reached a sustained level of pain relief. Again not knowing how the difference in lengths of your legs is affecting your core structure, I am hesitant to say complete pain relief can be achieved. I would recommend having the conversation with your acupuncturist about what to expect based on your level of responsiveness to your initial treatments. In reference to your second question, treating using the Ba Feng points may prove to beneficial along with the Foot Motor Sensory Lines for relieving the burning sensation you are experiencing in your toes. In reference to your third question, I would recommend continuing treatment for a minimum of 8 sessions. At that point you and your acupuncturist should have a good idea of your responsiveness to therapy. If after that point you have not noticed a change in your condition, I would recommend you ask for a full reevaluation of your acupuncturist and potentially referral to an acupuncturist who has more experience with treating your conditions. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices