Opioids, such as Oxycodone to treat pain or Acupuncture…which will you choose?

“As addictions to, and deaths from prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone continue to rise, raising awareness on complementary and alternative pain therapies like acupuncture is more important than ever,” said Kory Ward-Cook, PhD, MT(ASCP), CAE, CEO of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Nearly 80% of people will experience back pain in their life according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke . The best treatment option for pain is acupuncture that is administered by a registered acupuncturist.

I am a member of two governing bodies, both the National Certification Commission . The mission of the NCCAOM is “To assure the safety and well-being of the public and to advance the professional practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine by establishing and promoting national evidence-based standards of competence and credentialing” I am licensed in BC through the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia . “Under the Health Professions Act, the College’s legal obligation is to protect the public and ensure the safety of patients.” This is important because there are other health care providers who are not licensed as acupuncturists and who are doing “dry-needling.” The results of lack of thorough training can result in aggravation of the condition and possible puncture to internal organs resulting in death.