How to treat intercostal neuralgia effectively

Intercostal neuralgia, also known as intercostal neuritis, is not a disease but a group of symptoms. This symptom mainly refers to the damage of the thoracic nerve roots due to various reasons. As for the treatment of intercostal neuralgia, symptomatic treatment is very important and some analgesics can be used.

1. Etiological treatment

If there is a tumor, surgical resection can be performed; if it is infectious, anti-infection treatment can be used; if it is a viral infection such as herpes zoster, intravenous drip of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or intramuscular injection of α-interferon can be used.

2. Symptomatic treatment

Analgesics or sedatives can be used; B vitamins and vasodilators such as dibazole, niacin and scopolamine; thoracic paravertebral nerve root block, thoracic paravertebral sympathetic ganglion block and intercostal nerve block, etc.

3. Daily care:

For the care of intercostal neuralgia, attention should be paid to the combination of work and rest, with quiet rest as the main and exercise as the supplement. Spicy, fatty and sweet foods should be avoided. Eat more vegetables, fruits, lean meat, soy products and other light and nutritious foods. Do not eat raw, cold, unclean and indigestible foods. Regardless of whether the pain in the ribs is caused by external or internal factors, the prognosis is generally good as long as it is treated and recuperated properly. However, flank pain can also develop into abdominal masses, liver abscesses, etc., which have a poor prognosis, so active treatment should be given to prevent the development of other symptoms.

4. Cupping

Ask the patient to lie on his back, and first select the auxiliary acupoints for acupuncture. Use the twisting needle method to pierce Neiguan. After there is a response, use the lifting and inserting method to increase the stimulation, so that the needle sensation radiates to the upper arm. At the same time, the patient takes a deep breath and deeply pierces Yanglingquan, straight to Yinlingquan. After the sensation is felt, use the twisting method to increase the amount of stimulation so that the needle sensation can be transmitted upwards and downwards. The needles were retained for 30 to 50 minutes, with acupuncture being performed every 5 minutes. Then, at the Ashi point, where the pain is most obvious, after routine disinfection, take a skin needle and tap the skin from light to heavy until the skin turns red. Use the flash fire method or fire throwing method to absorb it, or use a vacuum cupping device to suck it out. Leave the cupping for 10 to 15 minutes, and remove it when the skin bruises turn purple-red. Treatment is given every other day, 6 times constitute a course of treatment, and the interval between courses is 3 to 5 days.