We Partha’s alternative medical and research foundation conducted research studies in 124 patients from 2003 march. Parthasarathy Soliah and Shivkumar Ganapathy did this research; research topic was “Comparative studies of Pain management in Physiotherapy and acupuncture”. We had conducted research on following pain conditions, which are

1. Cervical Spondylosis
2. Osteo arthritis
3. Lumbar spondylosis
4. Frozen shoulder and calcaneal spur.

We segregated three groups from these one twenty four patients. One for Physiotherapy, other one for acupuncture and third one was physiotherapy and acupuncture combined treatment groups. Age group from 20-50 years. Male: female is 50: 50.

Cervical Spondylosis :

Total number of the patient was selected for treatment : 24 patients

Physiotherapy group : 8 patients.

Acupuncture group : 8 patients.

Combined group : 8 patients.

For physiotherapy patients we applied intermittent cervical traction, hot pack, IFT. We advised for home program also.

Prognosis :

At least a minimum three days took for the minimal difference of pain. After fourth or fifth day improvement was quiet well. Relapse of the pain was common in these groups

Acupuncture groups:

For acupuncture patients we needled in following points.

 Li4, UB11, GB34, Tw15, Tw14, GB20, GB21. This treatment has continued for at least a 15 days regular for half an hour.

Prognosis :

From first day onwards the patients could see the difference. The improvement was quiet well. Giddiness has reduced in many of the patients. But total relief was not achieved in these groups.

Combined Groups :

Here we applied both type of treatment. Patients shown the difference from first day onwards, the improvement was quiet well. Other symptoms of cervical spondylosis also reduced. Here the patients got the total relief. Here relapsing of pain was not common.

Osteo Arthritis of knee :

1. Total patients : 30
2. Physiotherapy group : 10
3. Acupuncture group : 10
4. Combined group : 10

Physiotherapy group :

                          We applied SWD, IFT, and Wax bath for these patients. We advised static quadriceps exercise.

Prognosis :

Prognosis was poor for first three days; application of SWD has aggravated pain in some cases, application of wax in acute cases given better results. Relapsing of pain was more common in these cases.

Acupuncture cases :

Following points were selected.

St35, St36, Ex32, Sp9, UB40, UB11, Li4, St44, GB34

Prognosis:

Prognosis was better from first day, but limitation in range of movement was seen.

Combined cases :

These group we applied both physiotherapy and acupuncture treatments. Improvement was better, relapsing of pain was not seen.

Lumbar spondylosis:

Total number of patient : 16

Physiotherapy cases: 7

Acupuncture cases: 5

Combined cases: 4

Physiotherapy cases :

We applied Intermittent pelvic traction, IFT and manipulation for these patients.

Prognosis :

From first day patients got seen the difference, but patients with sciatica improvement was poor. Aggravation of pain was seen in some cases.

Acupuncture cases :

We applied needing in following points UB24 to UB34, UB11, GB34, UB40, UB63.

Prognosis :

Improvements were best , but full recovery was not common.

Combined cases :

Application of both treatment modalities made the patients free from ailments, the aggravation of pain was not seen.

Peri arthritis of the shoulder joint :

Total number of patients : 40

Physiotherapy group : 14

Acupuncture group : 13

Combined group : 13

Physiotherapy group :

We applied SWD, IFT, Hot pack, and Wax bath.

Prognosis was much slow, even continuous three or four day’s treatment, not sufficient for these pain.

Acupuncture group :

We needled following points, Li15, Tw14, Si9, Li4, Li16, UB11, GB34, St38 on same side, GB41 on the other side.

Prognosis :

Pain was subsided from first day, full range of movement was not achieved.

Combined group :

Application of both modalities made the patient from pain and full range of movements.

Calcaneal spur :

Total number of patients : 14

Physiotherapy group: 5

Acupuncture group: 3

Combined group: 6

Physiotherapy group :

We applied ultrasound and wax bath, from first day onwards, pain was reduced, and relapsing of pain was common.

Acupuncture group :

We needled in following points :

UB60, K4, St4, St44, UB11, UB62, UB61, Sp3.

Prognosis was slow; we cannot see pain relief for first one week.

Combined group :

Application of combined modalities gave better results, relapsing of pain was not common.

Conclusion :

Irrespective of either system of treatment, combined approach will make the patient free from pain