Chronic pain patients often face dwindling options as medications become harder to access and non‑drug treatments remain costly or inconsistent. According to HSS anesthesiologist Stephanie Cheng, MD, acupuncture is an effective, low‑risk intervention that too often goes underused.

Large studies show acupuncture can reduce pain, improve recovery, and even lessen reliance on opioids—yet insurance restrictions and low reimbursement rates continue to limit access. Medicare’s narrow coverage, in particular, excludes most licensed acupuncturists from billing, keeping utilization low despite demonstrated benefits.

At HSS, Dr. Cheng and colleagues have seen a sharp rise in demand. Intraoperative acupuncture for joint replacement patients has quadrupled since 2021, with many patients seeking it to reduce postoperative pain and minimize need for pain medications.

Dr. Cheng notes that offering acupuncture earlier in the pain journey—and broadening insurance coverage—could help more patients access effective, non‑drug relief.

Read the full article at medpagetoday.com.