Does Acupuncture Treatment Affect Utilization of Other Hospital Services at an Urban Safety-Net Hospital?

Background: Little is known regarding the interaction between acupuncture and biomedical healthcare among vulnerable patient populations. In particular, the association between acupuncture and total cost of healthcare has not been characterized.

Methods: Total hospital system visits and associated charges were retrospectively reviewed among patients who received acupuncture at a large safety-net hospital system from 2007 to 2014.

Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of refugees and survivors of torture: a review and proposal for action.

Survivors of torture and refugee trauma often have increased needs for mental and physical healthcare. This is due in part to the complex sequelae of trauma, including chronic pain, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatization. This article reviews the scientific medical literature for the efficacy and feasibility of some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities including meditation, Ayurveda, pranayama/yogic breathing, massage/body-work, dance/movement, spirituality, yoga, music, Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, qigong, t'ai chi, chiropractic, homeopathy, aromatherapy and Reiki specifically with respect to survivors of torture and refugee trauma.

On pins and needles? Pediatric pain patients' experience with acupuncture.

Introduction: Despite its increasing use as a complementary therapy to treat pain, acupuncture is rarely considered by pediatricians, in part due to perceptions that it will not be acceptable to pediatric patients. We wished to describe pediatric pain patients' experience with acupuncture treatment for chronic pain.

Design: Retrospective case series.