Battlefield Acupuncture: Is It Ready for Widespread Dissemination?. Issue 1 (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Federman, Daniel G.; Gunderson, Craig G.
• Is Part Of: Southern medical journal. Volume 110:Issue 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: acupuncture -- alternative medicine, integrative medicine, meta-analysis, pain; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000584
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4348

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: The use of prescription opioids for chronic pain has increased markedly within the past few decades; thus, death rates associated with opioid overdoses have increased dramatically. Nonopioid pharmacologic therapies also are associated with adverse effects. Other pain-abatement modalities such as acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of several painful conditions. Battlefield acupuncture is being promulgated as a potential low-risk, nonpharmacological therapy for pain. In this narrative review we examine the published literature to support battlefield acupuncture. We conclude that the amount and quality of published research presently do not justify wide adoption of this practice by those strictly adherent to evidence-based medicine. Abstract : The use of prescription opioids for chronic pain has increased markedly within the past few decades, and concomitantly there have been dramatic increases in death rates associated with opioid overdoses. Nonopioid pharmacologic therapies also are associated with adverse effects. Other pain-abatement modalities such as acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of several painful conditions. Battlefield acupuncture is being promulgated as a potential low-risk, nonpharmacological therapy for pain.