Meet Dr Ian Relf, Medical Acupuncturist at the ONJ Centre.

Did you know a new, non-invasive, medical laser acupuncture treatment can reduce neuropathic pain by 70 per cent?

This new treatment was recently published in a world-first research paper in Clinical Breast Cancer and is set to change the treatment of neuropathic pain. Our patients at the ONJ Centre are lucky enough to be able to access this treatment as part of our wellness services.

Neuropathic pain, or nerve pain, is a side effect of cancer treatment that affects 40 per cent of cancer patients. It feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation, and can be difficult to treat. Sometimes neuropathic pain may lessen over time, or even go away, but often it becomes a chronic condition.

“It’s ironic that the same treatment that extends the lives of cancer patients can also cause such pain that it makes life difficult to live. Patients who experience neuropathic pain are not able to do simple things like hug their friends and family, or wear fitted clothing as sometimes the touch or sensation can result in pain. It impacts their quality of life, sleep, moods, and cognitive processes,” explains Dr Relf.

Driven by a desire to alleviate this pain, Dr Relf searched for different nerve connections in the treatment of neuropathic pain using laser. After years of research, he has developed a non-invasive laser treatment that has shown promising results.

Trialled with 30 breast cancer patients with severe post-surgical neuropathic pain, this novel laser acupuncture treatment reduced pain by more than 70 per cent.

The new laser acupuncture treatment is non-invasive. It uses low-level red and near infrared light to stimulate acupuncture points to reduce pain. Different acupuncture points activate different parts of the spinal cord and the pain system. Activating the points sends a nerve signal to the spinal cord which dampens the pain signals going up to the brain, and settles the pain system from overreacting to pain. Different points have different effects on various aspects of the pain system.

“Research has shown that pain reduction using medical acupuncture is an evidence-based treatment," says Dr Relf.

Patients also reported pain reductions within 48 hours of treatment. The treatment continued to be effective even while they continued to receive their cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Repeated treatments further reduced pain. These findings show that this may be a viable treatment for breast cancer patients who are left with severe neuropathic pain after surgery.

Dr Relf’s passion for helping people in pain is evident in his dedication to his work. He adds, "Being able to do something that is really effective for people in pain, being able to help get rid of the pain – that's what makes me want to go to work every day.”

Dr Relf's pioneering research not only shines a spotlight on his remarkable contributions to the field of medical acupuncture but also offers hope to countless individuals suffering from neuropathic pain. His work exemplifies the innovative spirit and dedication to patient care that defines the ONJ Centre.

All the wellness programs, including acupuncture, are offered for free to patients undergoing cancer treatment at the ONJ Centre.

Join Olivia’s Walk for Wellness on Sunday 6 October and help us raise funds to support ONJ Centre's life-changing wellness programs for people with cancer.