Acupuncture for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Syndrome

"Participants will receive a course of traditional Chinese acupuncture. Acupuncture will be pragmatic but strict guidelines will be adhered to including:~using a combination of body and auricular acupuncture, treating the opposite limb to amputation and possibly the residual limb, using auricular acupuncture points such as shen men, sympathetic, points corresponding to the lower limb, using body acupuncture points around the stump (depending on tissue health and the patient), mirroring local and distal points by needling them on the opposite limb, points on the lower back taking a segmental approach to dermatomal pain, including points such as LI4 + LR3, LR3, GV20, SP10, electro-acupuncture may be used, retaining the needles for 20-30 minutes, treating twice weekly for four weeks."

The group will receive usual care (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical intervention and any other intervention as deemed appropriate by clinical staff).