Health Brief

YEAR-LONG STUDY OF ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC PAIN SHOWS THAT DRAMATIC PAIN RELIEF OCCURS

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As reported on the Acupuncture Today website, a one-year study of Acupuncture treatment of 243 children shows that children receive substantial benefits from Acupuncture.

The study, published in October 2000, was conducted by the Pediatric Medical Acupuncture Service, a pain and symptom management program at Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

At the beginning of treatment, most children reported pain in the low back, hips, extremities, abdomen or head. At the beginning of treatment, their mean visual analogue score was 8.3 on a scale of one to ten (with ten being the worst). By the end of the six-week treatment period, mean pain scores were reduced to an average of 3.3, a drop of five points.

Researchers also noted that in addition to reduced pain levels, children reported "overall improvement of well-being," increased attendance at school and improved sleep patterns. Children also stated that they were more able to take part in extracurricular activities. No side effects or complications were reported.

Dr. Yuan-Chi Lin, the lead researcher, told Doctors Group News that "our experience strongly suggests that Acupuncture can be safely and successfully incorporated into a pediatric pain management practice."

Some children manifested a fear of needles in the initial stages of treatment, however, most fears were overcome with communication and positive reinforcement along with Acupuncture's ability to successful treat pain quickly.

"Our experience indicates that through careful explanation and demonstration, children are not afraid of Acupuncture and can tolerate treatments very well with minimal discomfort," Dr. Lin said. "When they experience the effects of the Acupuncture treatments, patients' and families' responses to them are very positive."

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SOURCE: http://wwwacupuncturetoday.com/archives2003/apr/04kids.html.