Expert: Tamsen Staniford, L.Ac. - 3/4/2009

Question
My mother has peripheral neuropathy and RA in her hands and feet.  Do you think she would benefit from the acupuncture treatment for the neuropathy or could it possibly end up causing more pain from the RA.  She had in the past tried the Anodyne treatment and said it made her hands hurt more.

Answer
A dual diagnosis can always complicate matters; however, acupuncture can help both of your mother's conditions.  Acupuncture increases circulation and decreases inflammation.  It also prompts the body to release natural pain killers.  While I do not believe acupuncture can cure either condition, it should provide much relief for both.
Acupuncture treatment also looks beyond the signs and symptoms that your mother is experiencing.  Treatment focuses on the whole person, including the underlying factors that contribute to the disease process.  Because of this, acupuncture can help slow the progress of disease in many cases.  
One important thing to remember is that while acupuncture is highly likely to give your mother relief, her everyday influences such as food, exercise and overall mood have the greatest impact.  For example, if she is eating well and exercising moderately and consistently, the acupuncture will produce better results.  However, if the acupuncture is working against a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and stress, it will not work as well.
I would suggest finding an acupuncturist you trust, either by recommendation, through the national certification website (www.nccaom.org) or your state's acupuncture licensing board.  They will be able to perform a full examination and diagnosis and give you both a better idea of how well acupuncture can help in her particular situation.