A study by Corti (2014) indicated that acupuncture is useful for alleviating chronic pain. This study reported a positive association between the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture and reduced chronic lower back pain. Acupuncture is getting acceptance from medical professionals as research indicates that acupuncture helps in the release of endogenous endorphins and enkephalins as a result of the pressure from the application of needles. Needles are inserted at areas of the body highly concentrated with “blood vessels, peripheral nerves, and lymphatic tissue, and which lay along meridians, or channels, in the entire body” (Corti, 2014). Every channel has its own function whose flow of bioelectrical energy is upset in the case of illness, environmental strain, surgery, or myofascial damage, and all these subsequently affect homeostasis. Acupuncture helps to restore the hemostatic process and encourages self-healing.
According to safety guidelines from the World Health Organization (1999) on the use of acupuncture, safety measures should be observed when carrying out acupuncture. These safety guidelines dictate that high standards of sterilization, cleanliness, and aseptic techniques should be observed at all times to ensure that there is zero possibility of cross-infection (p. 17). A meta-analysis by Madsen, Gotzsche & Hrobjartsson (2009) revealed contradictory results to some studies on the effect of acupuncture. However, it was also noted that the no acupuncture groups had increased the use of analgesic drugs, which is a probable reason for this conclusion (Madsen, Gotzsche & Hrobjartsson, 2009, p. 332). This meta-analysis, however, draws support from other review studies that showed similar results. Therefore, there is a need to conduct more precise studies on the effect of acupuncture. Contradictory results tend to interfere with the use of acupuncture in the delivery of health care because conclusive scientific evidence for integration into modern-day practice is lacking.
A study by Borup, Wurlitzer, Hedegaard, Kesmodel & Hvidman (2009) indicated that acupuncture produced positive results, and it did not affect the delivery outcome, by alleviating labor pain without the need for pharmacological and invasive methods such as pethidine, nitrous oxide, and sterile water papules. In this study, measures of safety were highly observed, and sterile acupuncture needles were used. Acupuncture was stimulated by hand and the duration of needling ranged from half an hour to one hour. Thirty-four points of acupuncture were identified for use. Special nursing was necessary after the acupuncture. The midwives engaged in the acupuncture treatment method were trained in acupuncture and were certified after 5 days, but this is not in line with the WHO guidelines (World Health Organization, 1999, p. 6). The use of supplemental pharmacology applying conventional analgesics was delayed and was only provided upon the patient’s request, but there were few requests and most patients appreciated the use of acupuncture. The real effect of acupuncture was felt after some time (Borup et al., 2009, p. 11).
A more recent meta-analysis by White & Foell (2013) indicated that acupuncture is effective for reducing chronic headaches and improvements in musculoskeletal conditions. However, this does not overrule the controversies surrounding the use of acupuncture. This meta-analysis indicated that the high scores of acupuncture effectiveness rest on patient satisfaction, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Thus, observing safety in the delivery of acupuncture is very imperative (White & Foell, 2013). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures safety is maintained during acupuncture by regulating the use of needles. Needles should only be used by licensed practitioners; hence, no individual can deliver acupuncture without adequate training. FDA dictates that the acupuncture needles should be manufactured and labeled as per the formulated reference standards such as sterility and non-toxicity. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NCCAM, (2012) reports that the few risks and complications arising from acupuncture are due to poorly sterilized needles and poor delivery of treatment. The NCCAM (2012, para 7) stipulates the use of new needles for every patient, and “the treatment site should be properly swabbed with a disinfectant before penetration of the needles”. Poor delivery of acupuncture is associated with punctured organs and comorbid infections; hence, the essence of expertise when using this mode of treatment. Borup et al. (2009) assert that education and experience are imperative for successful acupuncture results, which would be improved if a professional acupuncturist administered the treatment (p. 12).
There is also a lot of controversy between acupuncture and pharmacology. In my practice as a nurse, some people prefer acupuncture to drugs because they do not want to experience the toxicities and side effects of the drugs. As a result of such persistent requests, I have had to train in acupuncture as an alternative medication to pharmacology. Also, some physicians will make more acupuncture referrals compared to the administration of drugs. Most of the patients who present with pain leave better than when they had initially walked into the hospital, after acupuncture treatment. I have found myself alternating from injecting drugs to delivering acupuncture, but due to its time-consuming nature, I use the help of an assistant nurse since I can only give fewer drug injections.
References
Borup, L., Wurlitzer, W., Hedegaard, M., Kesmodel, U., & Hvidman, L. (2009). Acupuncture pain relief during delivery: A randomized controlled trail. Birth, 36(1), 5-12.
Corti, L. (2014). Non-Pharmaceutical Approaches to Pain Management. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine. Web.
Madsen, M., Gotzsche, P., & Hrobjartsson, A. (2009). Acupuncture treatment for pain: systematic review of randomised clinical trials with acupuncture, placebo acupuncture, and no acupuncture groups. British Medical Journal, 338(7690), 330-333.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2012). Acupuncture: An Introduction. Web.
White, A., & Foell, J. (2013). Acupuncture is Superior to Sham for Painful Conditions. Evid Based Med., 18(6), e56. Web.
World Health Organization. (1999). Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture. Web.