中医外治法治疗慢性疼痛的优势与研究进展

Advantages and Research Progress of External Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Pain

摘要: 慢性疼痛是当今世界面临的重大健康挑战之一，一般持续时间超过3个月。据统计，全球慢性疼痛患病率高达20%~30%，严重影响患者的身心健康和生活质量。慢性疼痛不仅给患者带来身体上的痛苦，还会导致焦虑、抑郁等心理问题。传统的慢性疼痛治疗主要依赖药物治疗，包括非甾体抗炎药、阿片类镇痛药等，但长期使用这些药物往往会出现胃肠道刺激、肝肾功能损害、依赖性等不良反应。在此背景下，以针灸、中药外用为代表的中医外治法，凭借其非药物介入、不良反应较少的优点，在慢性疼痛的治疗中发挥了重要的作用。近年来，随着科技的发展，中医外治法取得了重要进展，激光针灸、智能针灸机器人逐步走入患者的视野之中。本研究通过分析近年来中医外治法治疗慢性疼痛的相关文献，全面阐述其理论基础、作用机制、临床优势和研究进展，为临床实践提供参考。

Abstract: Chronic pain is one of the major health challenges facing the world today, typically lasting for more than three months. According to statistics, the global prevalence of chronic pain ranges from 20%~30%, severely affecting patients’ physical and mental health and quality of life. Chronic pain not only causes physical suffering but also leads to psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. Traditional treatments for chronic pain primarily rely on medication, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid analgesics, but prolonged use of these medications often results in adverse effects such as gastrointestinal irritation, liver and kidney damage, and dependence. Against this backdrop, external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine, represented by acupuncture and herbal external applications, have played a significant role in treating chronic pain due to their non-pharmacological intervention and fewer side effects. In recent years, with technological advancements, external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine have made important progress, with laser acupuncture and intelligent acupuncture robots gradually entering patients’ awareness. This study comprehensively elaborates on the theoretical foundations, mechanisms, clinical advantages, and research progress of external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine in treating chronic pain by analyzing relevant literature from recent years, providing references for clinical practice.