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. © 2008 by American Academy of Pain Medicine.