Stephanie Cheng, MD, anesthesiologist at HSS, presented new research at the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) Annual Symposium suggesting acupuncture performed during total hip arthroplasty as part of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol may improve immediate postoperative pain and reduce early opioid use.

“This is something that is very, very safe,” Dr. Cheng, told Healio about results which were awarded first place in the AAMA annual research paper competition. “The safety profile is good. It is performed on the ear, it is away from the surgical site and you are not dealing with infection. Anything that can help us decrease opioid usage, increase patient satisfaction and decrease their length of stay is something that we should try.”

Read the full article at healio.com.