Advances in Heath and Disease, Volume 35

• This book compiles eight chapters, each presenting a unique perspective on issues relating to health and disease.
• Chapter 1 describes the use of the newly invented technique called acupuncture point injection therapy, which combines acupuncture and medicine, for treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Chapter 2 reviews recent updates on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of iron deficiency anemia. Chapter 3 reviews and explores the effects of the Mediterranean diet on age-related cognitive decline and the development of neurocognitive disorders. Chapter 4 discusses the incidence and prognostic significance of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia, summarizes the possible underlying mechanisms, and considers future directions of research. Chapter 5 examines the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment of colorectal polyps, which are the most common benign tumors of the large intestine. Chapter 6 covers the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatments available for Tourette’s Syndrome. Chapter 7 focuses on the link between type 2 diabetes mellitus and cognitive functioning and increase patients’ quality of life. Lastly, Chapter 8 reviews the clinicopathologic manifestations of neurosarcoidosis, including pathologic differential diagnostic considerations.

Chapter1

Use of acupuncture point injection of placental extract on pain control and mobility recovery in complex regional pain syndrome

Kyeong Mee Park¹, Tae Hwan Cho¹

¹Cho Orthopaedic & Oriental Clinic, Seoul 06979, South Korea

• Injection therapy of corticosteroid (CS) and local anaesthetic (LA) has been used for almost 70 years in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. There is a wealth of evidence for its efficacy but side effects from injection therapy with CS and/or LA are uncommon. Its local side effects ranges from post-injection flare of pain, subcutaneous atrophy, skin depigmentation, bleeding or bruise, tendon rupture and atrophy to delayed soft tissue healing. Systemic side effects of injection therapy of CS and LA include deterioration of diabetic glycemic control, elevation of systolic blood pressure, and suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
• Patients of musculoskeletal disorders, if they are indeed suffering from life-style diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, long for an effective therapy without side effects. Dr. Cho and I have used acupuncture point injection (API) of placental extract for treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Injection of placental extract to acupuncture points satisfied the two requirements, efficacy and safety in patients suffering from musculoskeletal diseases. In Chapter 1, I present the effectiveness of API of placental extract in the control of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
• CRPS is a neuropathic disorder characterized by spontaneous and induced pain disproportionate in relation to the initial event. It is accompanied by a great variety of autonomic and motor disturbances, resulting in a large diversity of clinical presentations.
• Accumulating evidence shows that reciprocal interaction of immobilization and inflammation conducts a definite role in the progress of CRPS. The treatment goal of CRPS, thus, may well focus on not only pain control but also mobility recovery.
• To rehabilitate the CRPS patients suffering from chronic pain and restricted mobility, we injected placental extract to the acupuncture points localized on the joint, agonistic muscles acting in concert with the joint, and facet joints affecting the innervation of the joint.
• Results of three cases studies demonstrated that the API of placental extract restored the normal range of motion as well as relieved pain in CRPS patients suffering from pain and restricted mobility. It is recommendable to use API of placental extract for rehabilitation of CRPS patients with immobilized joints.