Acupuncture for functional abdominal pain syndrome: a case report
10.3777/jjsam.60.744
- VernacularTitle:機能性腹痛症候群に対する鍼治療の１症例
- Author:
Takumi KAYO
;
Masao SUZUKI
;
Taro TAKEDA
;
Fumihiko FUKUDA
;
Naoto ISHIZAKI
;
Hiroshi KITAKOJI
;
Hisato KATO
;
Yoshiharu YAMAMURA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Functional abdominal pain syndrome;
Functional gastrointestinal disorders;
acupuncture
- From:Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
2010;60(4):744-751
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
[Background]Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) represents a chronic pain disorder localized in the abdomen and the symptoms largely are unrelated to food intake and defecation, which differ from other painful functional gastrointestinal disorders.
We report a case of FAPS whose symptom was successfully improved by acupuncture.
[Case Report]A 75-year-old female had been hospitalized at Meiji University of Integrative Medicine Hospital because of left lower abdominal pain from which she had repeatedly suffered for more than 2 years. Despite strict medication, her symptom had not been improved. After admission to the hospital, according to recommendation by her physician, acupuncture treatment was started. The patient received TCM-based acupuncture treatments five times a week over 13weeks. Primary acupuncture points used for the patient were LV3(Taichong), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), ST36 (Zusanli) and PC6 (Neiguan). Evaluation of the left lower abdominal pain was carried out with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was used to evaluate QOL related to the digestive symptoms. VAS for the left lower abdominal pain showed a remarkable decrease immediately after the initial acupuncture session. The symptom disappeared within 4 weeks after commencement of the treatment and never appeared during her hospitalization. GSRS was also improved and it was maintained during hospitalization.
[Conclusion]We suggested that acupuncture treatment might be one of the useful, non-pharmacological alternatives for symptoms of FAPS.
