Commentary on the use of acupuncture in chronic pediatric pain.
The use of acupuncture for pain in pediatrics is a long-standing practice in Eastern cultures. Despite growing interest in the West, there has been relatively little systematic research on acupuncture for chronic pediatric pain. In particular, there is a paucity of randomized clinical trials testing the efficacy of acupuncture for chronic pain problems in pediatric populations. This commentary briefly reviews the history of acupuncture for pain and includes a summary of extant findings regarding potential mechanisms of its analgesic effects. Key areas for future research to advance the application of acupuncture to chronic pediatric pain problems are outlined.
Waterhouse
Michael
M
Pediatric Pain Program, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752, USA.
Tsao
Jennie C I
JC
Zeltzer
Lonnie K
LK
D026881:Acupuncture / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010372:Pediatrics; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome