Acupuncture Effective For Pain Management In Children After Tonsillectomy

Children Pain Relief

 

An interesting study came out Raddy’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego this week.  This study, published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolargngology, shows that acupuncture is an effective alternative for drug-free pain management for children after a tonsillectomy, the surgical procedure in which a person’s tonsils are removed.

This study is particularly important in light of the FDA’s decision to ban codeine use after tonsillectomies in February 2013, given its risk of death in children. Before this codeine was one of the most often drugs prescribed in children after tonsillectomies.

Watch Dr. James Ochi, the head of this study, talk about it in his own words below, in an interview with KPBS San Diego:

It is particularly interesting to note how Dr. Ochi describes he calmed down kids for this procedure. Not every acupuncturist is properly trained to deal with children, even if they are good at acupuncture. Dr. Mansouri has an extensive background teaching and dealing with kids, which helps her ensure children relax during acupuncture treatment.

Albino Alligator Gets Acupuncture!

Here’s a sight you don’t see everyday in Irvine:

Alligator Acupuncture

The Associated Press recently published a story about Bino, an albino alligator that lives in the Sao Paulo Aquarium in Brazil, who had the misfortune of being born with scoliosis. As if being an albino alligator was not rare enough, Bino now has the honor of being the first recorded alligator to undergo acupuncture. The treatment appears to be helping relieve his pain and keep his vital functions going. While veterinarians do have to tape Bino’s mouth shut out of caution, they report he relaxes after the needles are inserted and doesn’t move around at all. Watch the raw video below yourself:

While Dr. Mansouri Acupuncture certainly does not offer services on non-humans (definitely not alligators!), veterinary acupuncture (also called ‘pet acupuncture’) is a growing field, particularly with common domestic animals like dogs and cats. Organizations like the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture have reported rapid increases in membership in recent years. And specialized clinics for Veterinary Acupuncture, such as CAALA are opening all around the country.

After its success treating humans, dogs, cats, and now alligators, who knows what will be next. What do you think?

Read more information about this story here.