Can Battlefield Acupuncture Improve Colonoscopy Experience?

Abstract

Background: Currently, patients undergoing colonoscopy receive sedation, but pain management with acupuncture could be a safer alternative. Cases: This article describes 3 cases for which Battlefield Acupuncture was applied during colonoscopy to avoid using opioids for sedation. One case was a patient with a life-threating morphine allergy, and 2 other cases avoided sedation completely. Results: Pain was reduced in all 3 cases to allow completion of colonoscopies without sedation. In Case 2, the patient also gained relief of preexisting mild joint pain. Conclusions: More data are needed, so potentially more patients can indeed avoid morphine/benzodiazepam-based sedation by use of acupuncture to make colonoscopies safer and more pleasant.

• Authors: Mohamed M Abdelfatah, Michelle C Beacham, Michael Freedman, Hans L Tillmann
• Journal: Medical acupuncture (Med Acupunct) Vol. 30 Issue 5 Pg. 279-281 (Oct 01 2018) ISSN: 1933-6586 [Print] United States
• PMID: 30377464 (Publication Type: Journal Article)