“Is acupuncture a better alternative to opioids?”
After back surgery I was prescribed opioid pain killers to help me cope with the pain. But I know how easy it is to get too dependent on them, so I'd rather not take them at all. Do you think I should try alternative treatments, like acupuncture, to help me with the post-op pain?
21 Answers
Yes
Go to www.pekingacupuncture.com. There are many written as well as video testimonials for you to see.
Acupuncturists have been treating pain for 1,000's of years with success. The opioid treatment is the newer, experimental method of treating pain.
Yes. Acupuncture is now recognized in the medical field as a formal form of pain management, and a great alternative to opioids. It can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and increase mood and morale during your healing process.
Opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, fentanyl, tramadol, morphine, and heroin. The current opioid crisis is officially the deadliest drug crisis in American history (Katz, 2017). Opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, fentanyl, tramadol, morphine, and heroin. In August 2018, the NIDA reported that there were more than 72,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2017.
Acupuncture is very good for pain control. In a recent update of patient data meta-analysis published in the May 2018 of the Journal of Pain,(www.jpain.org) researchers with the Acupuncture Trialists' Collaboration concluded that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, that the effects of acupuncture persist over time.
Acupuncture is very good for pain control. In a recent update of patient data meta-analysis published in the May 2018 of the Journal of Pain,(www.jpain.org) researchers with the Acupuncture Trialists' Collaboration concluded that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, that the effects of acupuncture persist over time.
Acupuncture can relieve pain efficiently.
Yes. Acupuncture works for pain control.
David
David
Absolutely a better alternative. And no addictive qualities.
Glenn R. Williams, D.C., L.Ac.
Glenn R. Williams, D.C., L.Ac.
Yes, acupuncture is a better alternative to opioids.
I would absolutely try acupuncture for pain management. Surgeons and PT are refering patients more frequently to alternative pain management therapies after surgery because definitively opioid dependency is a primary concern. That being said you should always listen to your surgeons advise and always consult with him/she when making changes with your medication.
Hope you feel better soon!!
Hope you feel better soon!!
Acupuncture is very effective in treating all types of pain and is definitely worth a try. There are even studies that prove that acupuncture works better than opioids in certain circumstances.
Acupuncture is probably the best alternative therapy to opioids. I will leave references of some research papers below this answer.
The joint commission has stated in 2018 that all accredited hospitals in the USA (about 85% of hospitals in the country) must have a non-pharmacological option for pain for patients. This includes acupuncture. Hospitals, clinics, specifically pain clinics and even physical therapy are utilizing the practice of acupuncture to help relieve pain!
Pre-op or Post-op, acupuncture is an excellent treatment therapy for helping one relax before a surgery, and also manage their pain post-surgically. Acupuncture also helps with any inflammation that may occur post-surgically.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27475042/?fbclid=IwAR3MMpe7Pg_wj5k-Dvu1Elhqy_aPliOB3iU4gUPtYC9zf9vVbCBixraTjRw
[Acupuncture v. Intravenous Morphine in the Management of Pain in the ED]
The joint commission has stated in 2018 that all accredited hospitals in the USA (about 85% of hospitals in the country) must have a non-pharmacological option for pain for patients. This includes acupuncture. Hospitals, clinics, specifically pain clinics and even physical therapy are utilizing the practice of acupuncture to help relieve pain!
Pre-op or Post-op, acupuncture is an excellent treatment therapy for helping one relax before a surgery, and also manage their pain post-surgically. Acupuncture also helps with any inflammation that may occur post-surgically.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27475042/?fbclid=IwAR3MMpe7Pg_wj5k-Dvu1Elhqy_aPliOB3iU4gUPtYC9zf9vVbCBixraTjRw
[Acupuncture v. Intravenous Morphine in the Management of Pain in the ED]
There are many publications on this topic. Acupuncture is sufficient for the post-op pain 1-2 days after the surgery. I did a few patients right after the patients were put out the operation room. The result is amazingly fast. Acupuncture is also a quick tool to reduce nausea after surgery.
When I had my tooth extracted because it was broken, they not only had to take out my tooth but also cut up my gum to put in some bone powder to allow my jaw to grow for when they were going to put in an implant. They gave me a prescription for pain, but I never used it because I was able to treat myself and have other practitioners I know also treat the issue.
So, yes, acupuncture is a very viable alternative to opioids, but you may need to go more than once and depending on your issue, you may need to return periodically. In some cases though, you may only need a few treatments - it all depends on how the surgery went, how your body reacts to treatments and the lifestyle you have (work, exercise, activities, etc).
It is important to go soon though, because the longer the pain lingers the more difficult it is to treat in any manner. In addition to needles, the practitioner may also have some salves, liniments or patches made from herbs or even an herbal formula to take to help as well. If it's herbal pills, they are not addictive like opioids and you should be able to use those without being dependent.
They could also do what is called 'gua sha' (which is a scraping technique - think of it like getting a massage with a spoon or other blunt tool. Or they may do some cupping; both cupping and gua sha help the blood flow, which will relieve pain and assist in healing. They may also do some moxibustion, which is the burning of an herb on the needle or with a cigar looking thing that warms the body so again the blood can flow and healing can improve.
We have many tools on hand to help relieve you of your pains and acupuncture is very effective when you see a licensed practitioner.
Good luck.
So, yes, acupuncture is a very viable alternative to opioids, but you may need to go more than once and depending on your issue, you may need to return periodically. In some cases though, you may only need a few treatments - it all depends on how the surgery went, how your body reacts to treatments and the lifestyle you have (work, exercise, activities, etc).
It is important to go soon though, because the longer the pain lingers the more difficult it is to treat in any manner. In addition to needles, the practitioner may also have some salves, liniments or patches made from herbs or even an herbal formula to take to help as well. If it's herbal pills, they are not addictive like opioids and you should be able to use those without being dependent.
They could also do what is called 'gua sha' (which is a scraping technique - think of it like getting a massage with a spoon or other blunt tool. Or they may do some cupping; both cupping and gua sha help the blood flow, which will relieve pain and assist in healing. They may also do some moxibustion, which is the burning of an herb on the needle or with a cigar looking thing that warms the body so again the blood can flow and healing can improve.
We have many tools on hand to help relieve you of your pains and acupuncture is very effective when you see a licensed practitioner.
Good luck.
Absolutely! There is a hospital that has now officially incorporated acupuncture into their Emergency room to give alternatives to patients unwilling to depend on opioids. Acupuncture was first introduced to the West as a natural anesthesia.
Absolutely!!! Most of my practice for the last 2 years has come from doctors' referrals because of the war on opioids. Acupuncture can be as, or even more effective for post surgical pain, so I would suggest you set up appointments for as soon as you are ambulatory after your surgery. Call before hand, though, as they may not be able to get you in right away, and you want to get a treatment as soon after your surgery as you are able. Set up several - a couple times a week for at least a couple weeks right away. You can always cancel them if you don't need them.
Oh the answer here is a resounding "yes." Acupuncture can be so strong in pain reduction that it is indicated (and frequently used I might add) to induce an anesthetic effect during surgery, in lieu of anesthesia. This is more commonly performed in Asia, but it is a growing field in the US as well, because research supports it and insurance companies are beginning to cover it.
Always a good choice. It is good to help with pain, but also healing and balancing the body. Highly recommend it for you!
It's a great alternative for post-op pain. Look for an acupuncturist in your town.
An updated meta-analysis (data from 39 different trials) published in the Journal of Pain that included almost 21,000 patients concluded that “acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, that the effects of acupuncture persist over time, and that the benefits of acupuncture cannot be explained away solely by the placebo effect”.
The mechanisms of pain relief with acupuncture continued to be studied and I have seen many people experience significant pain relief by using acupuncture.
The mechanisms of pain relief with acupuncture continued to be studied and I have seen many people experience significant pain relief by using acupuncture.
This is one of the few cases where I can be relatively definite: yes, acupuncture would be a much better choice for managing your post-op pain. I'm surprised your surgeon/physician didn't recommend it.
For the best results, please make sure you see an NCCAOM board certified acupuncturist. To find one close to you, go to NCCAOM.org and click their "Find a Practitioner" link.
For the best results, please make sure you see an NCCAOM board certified acupuncturist. To find one close to you, go to NCCAOM.org and click their "Find a Practitioner" link.
