Acupuncture's Role In Solving The Opioid Epidemic:

Dec. 5, 2017 - PRLog -- The United States is facing a national opioid epidemic, and medical systems are in need of non-pharmacologic strategies that can be employed to decrease the public's opioid dependence. Numerous federal regulatory agencies have advised or mandated that healthcare systems and providers offer non-pharmacologic treatment options and acupuncture stands as the most evidence-based, immediately available choice to fulfill these calls.

The attached white paper, done via collaboration among leading national acupuncture associations, illustrates acupuncture's emergence as a powerful, evidence-based, safe, cost-effective, and available treatment for the management of numerous types of pain. The mechanisms of action for acupuncture have been described and are understandable from biomedical and physiological perspectives.

The following are the main points discussed in the paper, supported by cited research:

"Acupuncture is an effective, safe, and cost effective treatment for numerous types of acute and chronic pain. Acupuncture should be recommended as a first line treatment for pain before opioids are prescribed, and may reduce opioid use."

"Acupuncture's analgesic mechanisms have been extensively researched and acupuncture can increase the production and release of endogenous opioids in animals and humans."

"Acupuncture is a useful adjunctive therapy in opiate dependency and rehabilitation."

"Acupuncture has been recommended as a first line non-pharmacologic therapy by the FDA, as well as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in coping with the opioid crisis. The Joint Commission has also mandated that hospitals provide non-pharmacologic pain treatment modalities."

The Tennessee Acupuncture Council represents licensed acupuncturists in TN and works to provide advocacy and resources for practitioners of acupuncture and to further the integrity of our profession.

Our Vice President, Sarah Prater, L.Ac. has the following words: "Tennessee is facing a severe opioid epidemic that is affecting the welfare of too many of our neighbors. We strive to see acupuncture utilized in its fullest capacity to aid in combating this crisis."

Please see the attached white paper, or download a copy, at the American Society of Acupuncturist's webpage: http://www.asacu.org/resources/publications/