Acupuncture has a long history in human medicine. Its use can be traced back to ancient time. The rise in opioids use and because of its addictive effects, the medical community is looking into alternate therapy for opioids and acupuncture is on top of the list (MacPherson et al., 2016). In 1998 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health came into existence within National Institutes of Health to conduct research for acupuncture effectiveness (MacPherson et al., 2016). Research had shown that acupuncture release endorphins which have morphine-like analgesic effects (MacPherson et al., 2016). Opioids are often used in postoperative pain management and they also interfere with rehabilitation due to their sedative effects. Furthermore, physical therapy is a cornerstone in the rehabilitation of orthopedic surgeries (Crespin et al., 2015).
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The use of acupuncture postoperative can reduce the use of opioids. A study conducted in a hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota with patients who had total knee or hip surgeries were given an option of receiving acupuncture (Crespin et al., 2015). The majority of patients post acupunctures reported lower pain scale and those who received acupuncture the second postoperative day reported much lower pain (Crespin et al., 2015). acupuncture not only reduce the use of opioids but help alleviate postoperative side effects such as sedation, nausea, vomiting and dizziness (Crespin et al., 2015). The study also revealed acupuncture lower the patient pain level to the point where they do not have to receive intravenous narcotics (Crespin et al., 2015). The use of acupuncture is proven to reduce the use of opioids in a postoperative patient then it is obvious if acupuncture can help in acute pain, it can be very beneficial in chronic
The use of acupuncture postoperative can reduce the use of opioids. A study conducted in a hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota with patients who had total knee or hip surgeries were given an option of receiving acupuncture (Crespin et al., 2015). The majority of patients post acupunctures reported lower pain scale and those who received acupuncture the second postoperative day reported much lower pain (Crespin et al., 2015). acupuncture not only reduce the use of opioids but help alleviate postoperative side effects such as sedation, nausea, vomiting and dizziness (Crespin et al., 2015). The study also revealed acupuncture lower the patient pain level to the point where they do not have to receive intravenous narcotics (Crespin et al., 2015). The use of acupuncture is proven to reduce the use of opioids in a postoperative patient then it is obvious if acupuncture can help in acute pain, it can be very beneficial in chronic