Urtication for Musculoskeletal Pain?

Abstract

Urtication refers to the deliberate stinging of the skin with nettles. Throughout history urtication has been used for a range of different purposes. This case describes an interesting clinical encounter in which a patient with recurring low back pain reports using urtication to help with pain control. Some recent research into this previously more widespread pain-relieving strategy is also discussed.

Urtication (flogging with stinging nettles) and flagellation (beating with rods) in the treatment of paralysis

“…However, whilst the plant is recognised as having anti-inflammatory properties, to this date the exact mode of action of the external application of nettles to the skin is unknown and scientific investigations are lacking. The only report on the use of urtication for musculoskeletal pain is by Alford L. (2000), a physiotherapist at the University of East Anglia, who described an isolated case but also reported on a double blind cross-over trial involving 27 patients of whom 17 would elect to use the stinging nettle in the future [16,17]. Alford freely conceded that the neuro-physiology underlying the reduction of symptoms is not fully understood although the hypothesis is of a centrally mediated process.…”

Urticaceae Juss.

“…Various plant parts such as the roots have been used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (Chrubasik et al 2007b); leaves for arthritis and urinary problems (Chrubasik et al 2007a); and the stinging hairs themselves directly applied for relief of musculoskeletal pain (Randall et al 2000;Alford 2008). Various plant parts such as the roots have been used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (Chrubasik et al 2007b); leaves for arthritis and urinary problems (Chrubasik et al 2007a); and the stinging hairs themselves directly applied for relief of musculoskeletal pain (Randall et al 2000;Alford 2008).…”