Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chronic pain is one of the fastest growing health problems in the United States with an estimated one third of Americans suffering from pain at an annual cost of $80 billion to $100 billion (Eshkevari, 2003). It is also one of the most challenging conditions clinicians face and the most common reason patients seek alternative care. Acupuncture, of all alternative therapies, has considerable potential in the treatment and management of chronic pain. Much of the evidence on acupuncture is relevant and convincing, and suggests that in some cases it may be useful on its own while in others it may be part of an integrative approach to pain management. The integrative model may offer the most potential benefit to the patient. This chapter reviews and summarizes the scientific basis and clinical evidence for acupuncture and related traditional Chinese medicine modalities in the treatment and management of chronic and acute pain. It also discusses safety and the most common therapeutic course for conditions treatable by these therapies.