Part-Time Acupuncture in a Busy Family Practice

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture may provide benefits for patients with a variety of problems seen in a typical family practice. Objectives: To study the effectiveness of acupuncture as an alternative modality of care in family practice. Design and Setting: A retrospective survey of the first 100 patients treated in a family practice in Jackson, Michigan (December 2007–December 2009). Intervention: A combination of local, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, energetic, auricular, and scalp treatments as appropriate to the presenting problem. Results: Among the 86 patients responding to the survey, 107 problems were addressed. Seventy-six of these were significantly improved, yielding a “success rate” of 71%; 67.5% of patients reported significant reduction of at least one problem. Only 3 patients had significant discomfort with the procedure. There was one complication of mild needle shock. A total of 72 (83%) patients said they would return, if necessary, for acupuncture in the future, 10 (12%) “might” return, and 4 (4.6%) would not return. Eighty-four (97.7%) would refer family and friends for acupuncture. Conclusions: Acupuncture performed on a limited part-time time basis in a busy family practice was perceived by the majority of patients to be of significant value.