Acupuncture Significantly Reduces Post-Surgical Pain

In a study analyzing 15 clinical trials, scientists at Duke University concluded that acupuncture greatly reduced post-surgical pain, thereby reducing the need for post-operative painkillers. Patients who received acupuncture in these studies experienced 1.5 times less nausea and 1.6 times less dizziness, as well as 3.5 times less urinary retention than patients in the studies who had not received acupuncture.

Dr. Tong-Joo Gan, vice chairman of Duke's anesthesiology department, said in a telephone interview, "Western doctors are typically not trained (in acupuncture) and they really are not familiar with how it works. I think practitioners such as surgeons and anesthesiologists need to have an open mind."

The Reuters article is available here.