Eye acupuncture according to Boel (after Prof. Dr. John Boel from Aulum in Denmark) is a therapeutic procedure of complementary medicine, which can be used, among other things, for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this eye acupuncture procedure, defined trigger points are stimulated primarily on the forehead, hands and feet, and knees by inserting a needle. Boel’s eye acupuncture contains parts from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as from the Japanese ECIWO method and Korean acupuncture. Furthermore, influences of acupuncture methods from Sri Lanka can be recognized. Depending on the respective indication, the various methods are combined with each other in a meaningful way as parts of eye acupuncture according to Boel in order to improve the chance of healing.
Indications (areas of application)
- Macular degeneration – macular degeneration is usually an age-related disease process (AMD) that affects the retina (retina) and is associated with an increasing loss of function of the retinal cells.
- Glaucoma – as glaucoma (glaucoma) is a number of etiologically different diseases that have as a common feature a characteristic damage to the optic nerve with corresponding visual field defects.
- Thrombosis of the eye or ocular infarction.
- Retinitis pigmentosa – retinitis pigmentosa is hereditary (congenital), progressive (progressive) changes in the receptors and retinal pigment epithelium (layer of the retina) associated with night blindness, visual field defects and marked reduction in visual acuity.
- Diabetic eye changes – diabetic retinopathy is due to microangiopathy (pathological change in small vessels). In addition, cells such as pericytes die and there is a thickening of the basement membrane (layer of the retina). Furthermore, a loss of the vascular endothelium (inner layer of the vessel) occurs, which leads to premature aging of the vessels.
- Blindness due to brain damage
- Presbyopia and hyperopia
- Myopia in children and adolescents up to the age of 20 years.
Contraindications
Relative contraindications
- Coagulation disorders – in the presence of coagulation disorders, acupuncture can be performed, but only with special caution. However, since the depth of puncture is small, the risk of severe bleeding is almost negligible.
- Severe heart disease – the therapy may result in a sudden drop in blood pressure, which may lead to loss of consciousness.
- Pregnancy – in various publications has already been discussed to what extent acupuncture can lead to premature labor. Due to this, various acupuncture points should not be needled during pregnancy.
Before therapy
Eye acupuncture according to Boel can not replace the conventional medical procedures of ophthalmology! On the basis of this, the procedure is to be considered exclusively as a complementary method for the treatment of the indicated indications. Before eye acupuncture, an ophthalmological examination is strongly recommended, since emergencies and many acute and chronic diseases can be successfully treated by conventional medicine. Especially in cases of retinal detachment and hemorrhage, the use of laser therapy is indispensable! Therapists who do not refer to conventional medical procedures are acting negligently.
The procedure
The basic scheme according to Boel and Dahlgren includes basic acupuncture with two acupuncture sessions daily. The respective sessions are spaced at least half an hour apart. The experience of the therapists has shown that a second session can increase the success of the procedure. In addition to twice daily sessions, the duration of treatment also influences the success of the procedure – sessions should initially be conducted for two weeks without interruption, if possible. After the first two weeks, an assessment is performed to determine the extent to which the procedure has improved the symptomatology and may improve it further. The success of the procedure varies depending on the patient and the therapist.Approximately two to five percent of patients treated with Boel acupuncture show complete healing after the first session. However, ten percent of patients show failure of acupuncture according to Boel. The success of therapy is significantly influenced by personal sensitivity to acupuncture. The proportion of treatments with a satisfactory effect of the procedure also depends on the respective indication. However, qualitatively sufficient studies are lacking for the assessment of long-term results.
After therapy
In the context of eye acupuncture according to Boel, an assessment of the treatment is made during the therapy. In the case of a single therapy failure of acupuncture, this does not mean that the patient can basically not benefit from the procedure. Furthermore, different methods of treating the particular condition should be considered.
Possible complications
- Infections – in rare cases, a skin infection may develop as a result of the puncture. However, as a result of using disposable products, the risk is much lower.
- Paralysis – temporary paralysis symptoms are possible as a result of acupuncture.
- Cardiovascular complications – blood pressure drops and tachycardia (heart rate over 100 beats per minute) may occur due to acupuncture.
- Bleeding – concurrent anticoagulation (anticoagulation) or a hereditary coagulation disorder (congenital bleeding tendency) increases the risk of this complication.
