Acupuncture in Adjunction to Corticosteroid Injection in Coccydynia Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Coccydynia is a painful disorder that usually resolves with conservative treatments. Corticosteroid injection is a common treatment. However, acupuncture has been considered an efficacious way of reducing chronic pain especially in musculoskeletal diseases. In this study we have assessed the efficacy of acupuncture in conjunction with corticosteroid injection in coccydynia treatment, and compared it with corticosteroid alone. Methods and Materials: Patients ages 18 to 75 with at least 2 months of pain, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of >= 4, and pain on intra-rectal examination of coccyx were considered eligible. Eligible individuals were randomized to take either corticosteroid (CS) or corticosteroid plus acupuncture (CSA). Acupuncture sessions were conducted 2 times per week over a 4weeks period. VAS scores for pain were measured before injections and 4 and 12 weeks after injections. Also Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ) was utilized at baseline and 4 weeks after injections. Results: The VAS scores decreased in CSA and CS groups respectively with no significant differences between the groups. DPQ scores improved in all patients but the CSA group showed better scores in daily and work/leisure activities axes. Conclusion: While no additional pain controlling effects was found with acupuncture, it was shown to be effective in enabling coccydynia patients to do daily and work/leisure activities.