Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group Meeting via Zoom, July 18, 2020
Purpose of Meeting: To provide information and support to our members, with particular focus on “Acupuncture as A Treatment Option for Peripheral Neuropathy”
Steve Klitzman introduced our presenter, Bill Reddy, licensed acupuncturist, ihpc.org, who spoke on the history and training in the U.S. on acupuncture and use of acupuncture in the treatment of PN. A particular emphasis was on “Acupuncture for Chemo-induced PN”, but also discussed PN brought on by diabetes. Contact: William.Reddy@Inova.org; 571-472-1680. Any specific questions can be sent to his email for response.
Background on Bill Reddy:
* First acupuncturist to meet with support group
* Background includes both Traditional Chinese Medicine and western medicine and 20 years experience as an acupuncturist. He currently practices at Inova Fairfax hospital where he treats cancer patients who suffer from peripheral neuropathy.
* Has held a variety of elected positions from President of the Acupuncture Society of Virginia, to Director of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (the “AMA” of acupuncture in the country), is the author of more than 150 publications, and serves on the editorial boards of 4 national peer-reviewed medical journals.
He covered a number of areas where acupuncture can help and some areas that it cannot. His full presentation to include slides which he commented on is on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQgaX6KrvDI&feature=youtu.be
Some general comments about acupuncture:
Small disposable needles that don’t hurt. Randomized Control Trial (RCT) Normal treatment cycle: Twice a week for three weeks then once a week
Bruce Malkin: complimented presentation as best he had heard and shared his one unsuccessful experience. He also asked about reflexology and Bill responded that it came from China also but he was not trained in it.
Rebecca Hoptop: shared about getting elderly dogs treatment that was very successful.
Bill Reddy: Neuropathic numbness is harder to treat than neuropathic pain. The longer it has been persisted, the harder it is to treat. Acupuncture can provide some palliative care for Parkinson’s, maybe reducing medications and increasing functionality. He explained Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which is a brain implant designed to release dopamine and relieve the symptoms.
Medicare doesn’t cover treatment except for lower back pain. VA provides some care with marginally trained practitioners. Disc herniation pain can be helped some and many surgeries don’t help even when repeated. Some opoid medications stop acupuncture effectiveness and actually increase nerves sensitivity as well as addiction.
Neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation (very costly) or hypnosis can be good for chronic pain. FDA and HHS have included acupuncture in recommended treatments for pain management. Top 5 hospital systems and 60% of oncology centers use acupuncture. He recommended Perque https://www.perque.com/ for supplements like sublingual B12. Krill oil is the best one to take (and with meals).
He recommends magnesium transdermally as a spray which can be. purchased from Dr. Shealy or Amazon. He recommends detoxes once a year or after chemotherapy ends, as well as acupuncture.
There is a direct connection between the amounts of glycosates being sprayed on weeds and food supply and autoimmune disorders. He is concerned about the ribonucleic acid (RNA) vaccines since they change the DNA in our bodies, normal vaccines just create antibodies. l-glutomine helps heal the space in between your cells in small intestines (leaky gut). The Chinese use acupuncture with exercise to optimize athletic performance. He invited anyone who is experiencing pain get in touch with him.
Provider Directory
Terry Orlando is looking at preparing a list of practitioners for PN just for our group and Steve confirmed they are working to include ratings from the Washingtonian.
Rebecca Hotop: Brief report on Finances
Checked with Bank of America about setting up an organizational checking account to replace Steve’s personal account and relieve him of this task but they require a minimum amount of $3000 for free checking otherwise is $15/month. Mark recommended looking at a local bank and negotiating with them so he will be willing to give it a try in conjunction with Rebecca.
Network Organization: Critical need for volunteers as Responders, Writer/Editor of monthly bulletin, Outreach/PR Coordinator, Working group on Finances (donations?, fundraising)
Bruce Malkin On New Business
Americans Disability Act improvements group might be a good place to link up for our lobbyist to get congressional support. He has sent an email and awaits their response.
Informal meeting in August led by Bruce and Dave Matz but I am not taking notes.
Limit: Meeting agenda to last from 2-4, but participants are welcome to continue discussion, share information, or socialize beyond 4pm
*Bill Reddy recommended the following articles for reading:
Acupuncture for Chemo-induced PN:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28150504/?from_term=+neuropathy+acupuncture&from_pos=3
Additional 8 week study with 87 cancer patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30905173/?from_term=+neuropathy+acupuncture&from_pos=8
This study focuses on lower extremities:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30900484/?from_term=neuropathy+acupuncture&from_page=2&from_pos=4
and this one is related to painful neuropathy in diabetic patients:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24657491/
PN support group and network team:
David Bush
Mike Foxworth
Pat Gualteri – 703-256-7325
Rebecca Hoptop
Steve Klitzman – 301-312-6557
Terry Orlando
Rodney Smith
Judson Vaughn
Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group of Metro DC
Website: www.dcpnsupport.org
Facebook group: On Your Feet
For more details about using Zoom, visit https://pnsnetwork.org/about-PN/op-stuff