Muscle Channel Technique for Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy

Abstract

Background: Muscle Channel Technique (MCT) is a proprietary acupuncture technique that is a useful tool for pain management and injury healing. Objective: To describe the application of MCT in a patient with peripheral sensory neuropathy. Design, Setting, and Patient: A 49-year-old man with peripheral sensory neuropathy secondary to hepatitis C and HIV. He rated his pain as 7-8 on an 11-point scale.Intervention: Bilaterally-placed Access Point needles were threaded subcutaneously toward the foot. Bilaterally-placed Anchor Point needles were needled perpendicularly to the skin to a depth of 1 cm. De Qi was obtained prior to electrical stimulation for a total of 15 minutes between same meridian points (including points on the SP, LR, GB, and BL meridians). Main Outcome Measure: Pain as measured on an 11-point comparative scale. Results: The patient's pain decreased to a score of 2 on the comparative pain scale. Conclusions: MCT was helpful in reducing pain and paresthesia symptoms of peripheral sensory neuropathy in this patient with hepatitis C and HIV. Clinical trials are needed to determine the appropriate interval of treatment for maximal therapeutic gain, and longer-term studies should determine the overall length of benefit expected from MCT.