Knives and needles If you go in for surgery, you're going to come out with more than just an incision: You're bound to leave the hospital with a prescription for some sort of painkiller. It's a sticky situation because, obviously, no one wants to be in pain. But, then again, these sorts of drugs can cause a vast array of problems, not the least of which is the threat of addiction. Painkillers can negatively affect your health well before that threat can become a reality, though. In fact, they can put you at risk before you've even been discharged, since some of the side effects associated with painkillers can interfere with your recovery and lengthen the amount of time you have to spend in the hospital following surgery. But researchers at Duke University Medical Center may have found a solution to this catch- 22 -- acupuncture. The researchers analyzed results from 15 other clinical trials on acupuncture and found that patients who undergo acupuncture before and after surgery experience less pain than patients in the control groups. Less pain means less need for potent painkillers -- and less risk of the side effects associated with them. And that means a more effective, swifter recovery and less time spent in a hospital bed. While there's no specific scientific evidence regarding how acupuncture alleviates pain, researchers think that it may stimulate the release of endorphins in the body. These natural hormones are the body's own painkillers, and increasing the amount flowing through your body naturally is a much safer method of pain relief than taking any sort of patent medication -- even over-the-counter varieties. Even if acupuncture doesn't completely eliminate your need for other pain-relieving medications or supplements, reducing the amount you take is certainly a step in the right direction. Acupuncture is gaining more and more acceptance among mainstream medical practitioners and some insurance plans even cover it (at least partially) for certain uses. To locate an acupuncturist in your area, contact the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at (866)455-7999 or visit their website, www.aaaomonline.org. Source:
"Acupuncture reduces pain, need for opioids after surgery," Science Daily (www.sciencedaily.com), 10/18/07 | 
