A new study shows that veterans who have acupuncture before surgery reported less need for opioids for pain.<br />The pilot study was presented Monday at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 meeting.<br />According to UPI, 6% of patients given opioids after surgery become dependent on them.<br />The study reports that veterans are twice as likely to die from accidental opioid overdoses than civilians.<br />Researchers cite this as being a crucial reason to have multiple options for treating pain.<br />The study found that acupuncture is a safe, cost-effective alternative to opioids in some cases.
