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SAFETY CONCERNS AND ORGANIZATIONS
SAFETY CONCERNS
Clearly, potential for serious harm anytime the human body is penetrated with a sharp instrument is one of concern. However, a sterilized acupuncture needle in the hands of a properly trained professional will rarely do substantial damage. Probably the two most common adverse effects of acupuncture are slight bruising at the site of needle insertion and transient sensations of numbness and tingling. Infection from inadequately sterilized or improperly handled needle is a more serious complication. Most states that have adopted the NCCAOM examination, which also require acupuncturists to pass a separate course on the principles of infection control and the proper handling of equipment.
A few isolated cases of the hepatitis B virus via acupuncture needles have been reported. Apart from one unverified report originating in Europe, there have been no cases of the transmission of HIV infection through acupuncture.
SUMMARY
Acupuncture is especially attractive because it does not involve long term administration of medications. There is a potential for future studies using either acupuncture or auricular therapy, especially in the field of stimulant withdrawal. Finally, all published reports to date suggest that acupuncture (in all forms) is likely to be of optimal use when combined with additional treatments such as amino acid therapy (both oral and intravenous), psychotherapy, counseling, education, outreach to the family, and appropriate self help groups.
There are 1200 treatment programs in the US and abroad using acupuncture, and the number of drug treatment programs incorporating acupuncture is growing each year. Recovery from addiction is difficult and subject to relapse. People in recovery need more tools like acupuncture and auriculotherapy to improve the quality of recovery as well as to reduce the risk of relapse.
BOOKS & REFERENCES
Kaptchuk, T. The Web That Has No Weaver. New York, Congdon & Wood. 1983. A comprehensive explanation of the clinical world of Chinese Medicine. Micozzi, M. ed. Fundamentals of Complementary
Unschuld, P. Medicine In China. A History of Ideas. Berkeley University Of California Press. 1985. An outstanding history of the practice of Chinese medicine. Blum. K . et al. Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs. Reward deficiency Syndrome: A Biogenetic Model For The Diagnosis and treatment of Impulsive, Addictive & Compulsive Behaviors. 32: November Supplement 2000. San Francisco. A detailed article involving treatment and genetics of Addiction Medicine. Oleson, T., The Auriculotherapy Manual, 2"d edition, UCLA, 1998. Durijan, M. Ruben A., An Introduction to the physiology of Auricular Reflex Thearpy :International Meeting Of Acupuncture and Auriculomedicine, Madrid, Spain, 1980. United States Senate Subcommittee Minutes on Janet Reno/Jay Holder: Research on Ear Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy in Addiction Treatment, 103rd Congress, 1St session, Page 64, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 1993. Holder, J., Smith, M. State of the Art treatment: Acupuncture, National Consortium of TASC Programs (NCPT), 3`d National Conference on Drugs and Crime Bulletin, Austin, Texas, 1993. Nogier, P. Treatise of Auriculotherapy, Maisonneuve, France, 1972 (see Blum et al. J.Psychoactive Drugs). Blum,K., Cull, J., Braverman, E., Comings, D. Reward Deficiency Syndrome. American Scientist: 84 : 132=45,1996. Avants,G., MargolinA., Holford, T., Kosten,T. A randomized controlled trial of auricular acupuncture for cocaine dependence. Archives of Intemal Medicine 160: 230512, 2000.
ORGANIZATIONS
- American Association Of Oriental Medicine (AAOM)
433 Front St.
Catasauqua PA 18032
610-266-1433
- American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA)
5820 Wilshire Blvd suite 500
Los Angeles CA 90036
213-937-5514
- Accreditation Commission For Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
1010 Wayne Ave.
Suite 1270
Silver Spring Md. 20910
301-608-9680
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