The Canadian Journal of Diagnosis / March 200482

“Promising results have emerged, showingefficacy of acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy[-related] nausea and vomiting, and post-dental surgery pain.” This statement was issued in 1997 by an inde-pendent panel of experts at the U.S. National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference. The panel also felt that acupunc-ture may be effective for other conditions, including addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis (OA), lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.1 Nausea and vomiting Vicker’s systematic review found 33 controlled trials in which the acupuncture point, P6, was stimulated for treatment of nausea and/or vom-iting associated with chemotherapy, pregnancy, and surgery.2 P6 acupuncture was administered under anesthesia, and was equal or inferior to the control arm in all four trials. However, in 27 of the remaining 29 trials, acupuncture was sta-tistically superior. Mike’s case Mike, a 35-year-old tennis player, was experiencing lateral epicondyle pain for approximately three months. His initial treatment consisted of naproxen (500 mg twice daily, for two weeks), and conventional physical therapy for two months. These treatments were unsuccessful in alleviating his pain. Mike was then referred for cortisone injections. The diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis was confirmed on examination. The patient was given the option of cortisone injections or acupuncture. After potential adverse effects were discussed, he expressed concerns with the cortisone injections, and opted for acupuncture. Treatment consisted of five electroacupuncture sessions within three weeks (once or twice weekly). After the treatments, Mike’s epicondylar pain abated, and he was able to play tennis at the same level prior to pain onset. He has yet to seek further treatment