HealthDay reports new HSS research presented at the 2021 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting by anesthesiologist Stephanie Cheng, MD, suggests that using acupuncture during the operation may help reduce that pain without raising the risk of addiction.

Dr. Cheng explained, “The opioid epidemic has been in the news and on our minds for years and has created an urgency for us to seek alternatives to postoperative pain, and acupuncture can be an attractive option.”

For the study, 41 people underwent knee replacement surgery using standard anesthesia protocol plus electroacupuncture, and found that in addition to reporting less pain, 65% of people who received acupuncture during their knee surgery took a low-dose opioid regimen of 15 pills or less or remained completely opioid-free for 30 days after their surgery. By contrast, just 9% of people who undergo knee replacement typically report such low usage.

“Patients are all interested when asked if they want to try acupuncture to help with pain. Ask your surgeon if he or she works with a trained medical acupuncturist,” Dr. Cheng added.

Read the full article at Healthday.com.

Additional coverage:

• Phillyvoice.com
• USnews.com
• Healio.com/news/orthopedics
• Rheumatologyadvisor.com
• Clinicalpainadvisor.com
• USA Today on November 7, 2021