May 2017, the FDA endorsed acupuncture.
Partially in response to the opioid epidemic, the FDA supports1 non-pharmacological ways for doctors to treat pain, and not everyone is cheering about it.
To be objective, the FDA isn’t exactly known for their transparency2 and accuracy3, but considering the opioid epidemic4, it’s a another spotlight needed on the benefits and applications of alternative medicine.
The skeptics5 and critics were less than thrilled about the FDA’s position, particularly those in the western medical community who stand to lose profit6 margins from it. To be fair, not everyone in the medical community has snubbed their noses at acupuncture; there are special programs for MD’s to obtain a certificate in acupuncture, like this one a Tri-State college in NY. For just 300 hrs (compared to 45007 in NYS ), YOU TOO can be an acupuncturist. I guess it’s all a placebo effect, until you find out how to get paid from it.
In addition to educational institutions, these prominent hospitals have started integrating alternative medicine for their patients treatment, from acupuncture to herbal formulas.
- Cleveland Clinic, is among the first in the country to not only offer acupuncture but has their own herbal dispensary.
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia offer an acupuncture program, with a focus on children and young adults.
- Mount Sinai in New York City, has an pain management and integrative medicine department.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering, renounds for it’s cancer treatment, also has a department of integrative medicine.
- Columbia University in the City of New York in partnership with Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), offers acupuncture for their students.
References
1https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/NewsEvents/UCM557071.pdf
2https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2010/05/27/127209969/johnson-johnson
3https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/9/8007839/the-fda-doesnt-tell-you-when-it-finds-scientific-fraud
4https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/us/opioid-crisis-public-health-emergency.html
5https://www.acsh.org/news/2017/12/14/fda-endorsing-acupuncture-no-way-right-12284
6https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-11-06/how-doctors-are-getting-rich-on-urine-tests-for-opioid-patients
7http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/acu/acupunlic.htm
