Acupuncture a good alternative for pain

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Posted on 16/05/2019 in Current Affairs

Regularly in the news, there is an explosive increase in the use of heavy painkillers. Doctors and other experts say that the prescribing of addictive, opioid painkillers is getting out of hand in the Netherlands. In six years, the number of oxycodone users, a morphine-like heavy painkiller, tripled to 439 thousand per year. Addicts describe withdrawal symptoms reminiscent of heroin. See source Volkskrant. [1]

What is oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a stronger, synthetic variant of morphine (an opioid). The medication suppresses pain signals in the brain. The tablets or capsules are available by prescription under the names oxycontin, oxynorm, and oxycodone. The most common side effects include drowsiness, constipation, and headaches. Confusion, depression, and respiratory problems are also relatively common.

Opioid Crisis in America
Recently, many stories, especially from America, have surfaced about the highly addictive nature of oxycodone and other strong painkillers. A phenomenon referred to in the media as the 'opioid crisis.' The US now has many people addicted to heavy painkillers. In recent years, there have also been many deaths due to opioid addiction, both from pain medication and heroin.

America Uses Acupuncture to Combat Pain and Medication Addiction
For a long time, Americans viewed acupuncture with suspicion. However, after several studies, acupuncture is increasingly being used as a pain management alternative to heavy pain medication. This has led to a surge in demand for acupuncture when Providence VA Hospital offered acupuncture treatments to people with chronic pain issues. This information is detailed in the article by U.S.News. [2]

Also an Increase in the Netherlands
'The increase in the use of oxycodone in the Netherlands is mainly due to the increased focus on treating pain,' says Professor of Anesthesiology Albert Dahan of the LUMC. 'When doctors inquire more about pain, the pressure to do something about it also increases. Many doctors actually do not believe that oxycodone can be so addictive.'

Acupuncture as Support for Chronic Pain and Cancer Pain
The Dutch Knowledge Centre Acupuncture published an article in June 2018 about two important reviews. These reviews support previous research findings on the relief acupuncture can provide for various types of pain. See below for the links to the Knowledge Centre.

Acupuncture is natural and safe
Acupuncture is a natural and safe way to alleviate all kinds of complaints. It is painless and has no side effects. An acupuncturist works on the premise that physical and mental complaints arise from a disruption in your energy balance. During the treatment, he or she places very thin needles at certain points in your body. This regulates your energy flow and restores your energy balance. Your complaints decrease significantly or even disappear completely.

Want to learn more about acupuncture?
And curious if acupuncture can help you with chronic pain? Look at the top of the page for 'find an acupuncturist' to find a well-trained NVA acupuncturist.

Source [1] Volkskrant dated 21-07-2018  [2] U.S. News dated 20-02-2018