Christoph Berwanger
Hardtstr. 31, 34596 Bad Zwesten, Germany
The term “meralgia paraesthetica” is used for a type of neuralgia affecting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which is precipitated by compression of the nerve in the vicinity of the inguinal ligament. The clinical symptoms are burning pain and paraesthesiae in the outer surface of the thigh. In addition attacks of dysaesthesia may also arise. Although the clinical picture frequently goes into spontaneous remission, the treatment otherwise required. NSAR, local infiltrations or surgical neurolysis still gives unsatisfactory results.
Questions:
1.) Can the symptoms of meralgia be influenced by YNSA?
2.) Is there a simultaneous improvement in the neurophysiological parameters (SEP of the lateral cutaneous nerve)?
Methods:
Two patients with unilateral meralgia causing unmistakable symptoms were examined by comparing SEP of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve on both sides before and after YNSA treatment.
Results:
After two sessions of YNSA (one needle ipsilaterally) each patient reported definite clinical improvement. The cortical latencies of the SEP showed clear acceleration.
Conclusions:
1.) YNSA can have an effect on the clinical symptoms of meralgia and is a possible alternative treatment for this condition.
2.) The ipsilateral needling is interesting: this is at odds with neurological thinking.
3.) Neurophysiological parameters should be ascertained more frequently to support subjective improvements with acupuncture treatments.