Science Finds New Pain Killers in China’s Traditional Medicine

Chinese Medicine and the Challenge of Pain

Charles Buck

A big concern in medicine today is the problem of pain relief, especially the issues toxicity, addiction and low efficacy. Choices available to patients are limited and the usual mainstays for pain have not stood up well to the scrutiny of evidence-based medicine. We need new tools.

You may be aware of the value of acupuncture for pain control, this has become so well-established now that some hospital Emergency Rooms offer the treatment and the US Army now employs battlefield acupuncturists to treat pain from injuries. But, whilst acupuncture has emerged as a promising choice but it does not enjoy the convenience of oral medications.

Current pain Meds

Paracetemol (acetaminophen) turns out to be less effective and more risky that everyone imagined. Research shows that it provides adequate relief for around a quarter of people who take it. On top of that, it has a narrow therapeutic dose range — if you don’t take quite enough it does nothing and taking a bit too much risks liver damage. The fact that many over-the-counter products contain this drug makes it too easy to accidentally overdose and worrying numbers of people end up in hospital (or worse) this way.