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Acupuncture for chronic primary pain – are UK guidelines now consistent with other countries?

Authors :
Birch, Stephen
Bovey, Mark
Robinson, Nicola
Source :
European Journal of Integrative Medicine; Jan2021, Vol. 41, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Chronic pain was reclassified by the World Health Organisation in 2019 into primary and secondary chronic pain. Clinical guidelines on chronic primary pain recently issued in the UK for consultation by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have included acupuncture as a primary treatment. The aim of this article was to explore the evidence in support of this recommendation and gauge whether NICE is in line with international guidelines. UK clinical guideline recommendations on the use of acupuncture for chronic pain were compared with selected key national and international guidelines to identify whether acupuncture was included and whether it was recommended. By recommending acupuncture as a potential treatment for chronic primary pain, NICE is now in line with clinical guideline recommendations from within the UK nations (Scotland, Wales) and other countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Austria as well as organizations such as the British Pain Society and the European Pain Federation The problems of drug dependency especially overuse of opioids and their associated unwanted side effects suggest that non-pharmacological methods that can deal with chronic pain are imperative. Acupuncture provides a bone fide choice particularly as its evidence of effectiveness continues to grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
18763820
Volume :
41
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
European Journal of Integrative Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
148433022
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101257