Mainstream Media Acknowledges Acupuncture as Alternative to Opioids

Mainstream Media Acknowledges Acupuncture as Alternative to Opioids/

In the wake of the opioid crisis, acupuncture proves to be a welcome option for the avoidance of chemical dependency

A recent story on acupuncture and its welcome alternative to the nation’s growing opioid addiction was published recently by the Associated Press and carried on the front pages of notable news sites such as the DrudgeReport.

The mainstream media attention to this non-addictive remedy to chronic pain makes acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine acceptable to more and more people who may not have considered it before. According to the article quoting Dr. Mary Applegate, medical director for Ohio’s Medicaid department. “If it’s proven to be effective, we don’t want to have barriers in the way of what could work.”

For the full story, please see https://apnews.com/248ad68b545a4cc690883988965e9445/Stuck-in-an-opioids-crisis.

Knee Arthritis Finds Relief with Acupuncture

Knee Arthritis Finds Relief with Acupuncture

According to a story published by the Cleveland Clinic, knee arthritis sufferers are finding relief through acupuncture.

The story also points out how acupuncture can be a promising solution to another national ailment: opioids.

States author Jamie Starkey, “Across the country, doctors are striving to avoid prescribing medication, particularly opioids, for chronic pain. Research shows acupuncture to be a cost-effective way to treat pain with very little risk for the patient.

In fact, acupuncture is one of the treatments now recommended as a first line of defense against pain in national guidelines for physicians.”

The full study can be read at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/07/knee-arthritis-got-you-down-acupuncture-can-bring-relief/.

Reducing Nausea During Chemotherapy Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases

A study published by Oxford University Press found acupuncture combined with ondansetron treatment to be successful in reducing the nausea caused by chemotherapy treatment for rheumatoid sufferers. The study was conducted by A. Josefson, from the Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden.and M. Kreuter, and published in 2003.

For the complete report, please see https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/42/10/1149/1784503.

Treating Anxiety and Depression in Women

In June of 2013, the National Institute of Health published a review of the efficacy of acupuncture for treating anxiety and depression in women. The results were sufficient to recommend its use as a viable modality. The report, written by David P. Sniezek, DC, MD, MBA, FAAMA and Imran J. Siddiqui, MD, represents a milestone in acupuncture’s acceptance as a medicinal practice, especially in the application to pregnant women who prefer alternatives to medications.

The report, Acupuncture for Treating Anxiety and Depression in Women: A Clinical Systematic Review, can be accessed online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689180/.