A Novel Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Vagal Nerve Hydrodissection With 5% Dextrose Without Local Anesthetic for Recalcitrant Chronic Multisite Pain and Autonomic Dysfunction.

Chronic pain is a complex condition that often poses diagnostic and management challenges due to its multifactorial etiology. This case report describes a 49-year-old pastor who presented with a three-year history of chronic pain affecting multiple sites, including the neck, bilateral shoulders, thoracic region, lower back, and bilateral knees. Additionally, he experienced shortness of breath on mild exertion, which adversely affected his ability to converse and speak publicly. The patient had a rapid resting heart rate of 100-120 beats per minute, occasional palpitations, and a 24-hour electrocardiogram that confirmed 15% premature ventricular complexes with bigeminy and trigeminy. He complained of limited appetite with early satiety, intermittent nausea, and regurgitation. Despite consultations with multiple specialists, no underlying causes were identified in the cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or psychological domains. Ultrasound-guided bilateral vagus nerve hydrodissection using 5% dextrose without local anesthetics was administered three times at monthly intervals, resulting in remarkable pain relief within three months and the effects persisted at the nine-month follow-up. Tachycardia was no longer perceived, resting heart rate slowed to 70-80 beats per minute, shortness of breath improved, and public speaking ability was restored. The patient's early satiety, nausea, and reflux complaints were resolved. This case report highlights the potential effectiveness of this novel intervention for chronic pain. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore the mechanism of action.

A Novel Treatment of Fascial Pain With Glucopuncture: Three Clinical Cases.

The fascial system (FS) represents a sophisticated and intricate network within the human body, comprising both superficial and deep fascial layers. Disruptions or dysfunctions within this system have been implicated in a variety of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders and pain syndromes. Specifically, fascial tightness has been associated with diminished range of motion and localized pain. Glucopuncture, a novel therapeutic approach, involves the administration of 5% dextrose injections directly into the fascial layers, such as the superficial fascia, to address these issues. This article presents a case series involving three patients who underwent palpation/ landmark-guided glucopuncture for the treatment of superficial fascial dysfunction. The first case involves a 45-year-old male with a nine-month history of left groin pain, who experienced significant pain relief following glucopuncture below the inguinal ligament, with complete resolution of symptoms within four weeks. The second case describes a 36-year-old female suffering from left arm and neck pain for two years, who reported gradual pain alleviation over six weeks after receiving multiple injections in the fasciae of the neck, scapula, and lateral aspect of the triceps muscle. The final case involves a 67-year-old female with a six-month history of low back and buttock pain, who showed improvement after four weeks following multiple injections in the fasciae of the low back, lumbar region, and buttocks. These cases highlight the potential of palpation-guided glucopuncture as a simple, cost-effective method for modulating regional pain caused by superficial fascial dysfunction. However, further research is necessary to fully ascertain the efficacy and safety of glucopuncture for treating fascial dysfunction.