Expert: Tamsen Staniford, L.Ac. - 1/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: How do I get relief from chronic pain, so severe it prevents me from sleeping. It began in late summer of 2000 after a biopsy  was performed removing a chunk of the ceral nerve from between the outside ankle bone of the right foot and the achilles tendon. My initial complaints back then to the neurologist who ordered the procedure, in search of disease (the biopsy results came back negative), were basically denied as to being related to the procedure and that it was the not the cause of the pain. On several consequential visits to other neurologist, podiatrist and physical therapists over the years, (7-8 neurologists in total) have more or less confirmed that there is now a neuroma as a result of the biopsy and that it is the likely cause of the pain. The pain seems to be weather related. Some have recommended another surgical procedure, but never without risks and or undesirable consequences. Living in the Boston area I was able to get treatments from Pathways for years through the AIDS CARE PROJECT. Unfortunately there was no relief to be had there for this specific pain. I had tremendous success with accupuncture and herbs for acute adult onset of asthma in the early 1980's when I was living and attending college in San Francisco, California. Now, a few days away from turning 60, I am sleep deprived and in dire need of relief from this pain. I continue to practice meditation daily, do yoga, work out at the gym, eat healthy with a great deal of consciousness and having learned many things from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic and others. I maintain an up beat attitude but need relief from this pain and normal sleep. Can you help? My gratitude will be profound.
Sincerely, Eustathios Stratis(Stathi for short for my first name)

ANSWER: Stathi,

It sounds like you're doing everything right to keep yourself healthy; which makes it even more unfair that pain from that neuroma is causing you so many problems.

Nerve conditions are some of the hardest to treat with any type of medicine.  I believe your best option is working with an acupuncturist experienced in treating neuromas that will work with you to figure out a financially feasible treatment schedule.  If acupuncture is going to help this condition, it may take a long time.  You have to be prepared that it may not work at all, or may not have the effects you desire.  Talk honestly with the acupuncturist about how much you can afford and how much time and money you are willing to invest to see if it will help you.

Most importantly, never give up.  If one medical or wellness modality doesn't help, keep trying new ones.  If one acupuncturist isn't getting results, consult a new one.  Faith that you can heal is the number one influence on being able to heal.


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

QUESTION: Can anyone make some suggestions as to practitioners I can try here in the Boston area?

Answer
I have two options to help you find a practitioner: first off, please visit http://www.aomsm.org/findprac.php which is the website for the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts.  This website allows you to find an acupuncturist near you that is licensed in that state and a member of that state organization.  You would have to call around to ask each practitioner's level of experience with your condition, but I'm sure they would be more than happy to answer any questions for you.

Second,  I will put a request out to my alumni to see if there is anyone practicing in the Boston area with that experience and will post a follow-up here if I get any responses.

**UPDATE**
Here is the contact information I received for a few practitioners in the Boston area:
-Stas Gavronsky  23 Pleasant Street, Newton Centre, MA 02459 (617) 630-8508
-Allison Blaisdell, Lic.Ac. 617.792.2913
-Pathways to Wellness:  http://www.pathwaysboston.org/
-New England School of Acupuncture:   http://www.nesa.edu/ )