A large volume of my patients come for Acupuncture to relief Pain.
Acupuncture alone is very effective, but sometimes if you add a simple formula with an herb like Corydalis (Yan Hu Suo), it is even better.
Regarded as one of the best pain relieving herb in the Chinese materica medica. It is commonly used for headaches, menstrual cramps, backaches and chronic pain. There are
different types of pain in Chinese Medicine. Corydalis is best used for long-term stagnation with disturbance of blood vessels (e.g., chronic inflammation) or traumatic injury caused blood stasis pain. Its distinguishing feature is pin-prick (or stabbing) pain with a fixed location.
Recent research shows no addictive properties in corydalis and no tolerance building to corydalis. Experts say corydalis can be used to treat long term pain without carrying the same risk of addiction of prescription medication.
Corydalis rhizoma is rich in a broad spectrum of highly valued alkaloids. 22 chemical compounds have been isolated and identified in corydalis. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22737858