* 固醇类激素Corticosteroids are often administered as an injection at the site of musculoskeletal injuries. They exert powerful anti-inflammatory effects. They can also be taken orally to relieve pain from, for example, arthritis.
针灸没法完全取代，特别是急性期炎症性疼痛，需要这些药帮助。

* 对乙酰氨基酚（扑热息痛）Acetaminophen increases the body's pain threshold, but it has little effect on inflammation.
针灸可以代替这类药物

*鸦片类止痛药Opioids, also known as narcotic analgesics, modify pain messages in the brain.
针灸可以部分代替，需要早些介入治疗。

*肌肉松弛剂Muscle relaxants reduce pain from tense muscle groups, most likely through sedative action in the central nervous system.
针灸可以替代

*抗焦虑药Anti-anxiety drugs work on pain in three ways: they reduce anxiety, they relax muscles, and they help patients cope with discomfort.
针灸效果优于这些药物效果

*抗抑郁药Some antidepressants, particularly the tricyclics, may reduce pain transmission through the spinal cord.
针灸可以部分代替，但对于有自杀倾向的，一定针与西药并用。

*抗癫痫类药Some anticonvulsant drugs also relieve the pain of neuropathies, possibly by stabilizing nerve cells.
针灸可以代替这些药物，比如neurotin, lyrica, tegretol

对于炎症性疼痛和感染性疼痛，针灸止痛作用的局限性。需要配合中药抗菌消炎(激素和抗菌素)来治本。Mycobacteria infection cause the back pain.
仔细看来我们针灸有无之地是很宽广的。

注：本文内容摘自全美各中医药学会交流群赵软金教授的微信讲座