Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Systematic Review

Purpose: I wanted to determine if auricular acupuncture is an effective means of primary treatment for patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Method: I searched PubMed (2015-2020) and MEDLINE (2015-2020). Inclusion criteria were articles related to chronic headaches, chronic low back pain, and chronic neck pain. Exclusion criteria were articles related to acute pain, psychiatric diagnoses, and the use of auricular acupuncture in the emergency room. I accepted systematic reviews and randomized control trials (RCTs). Results: One hundred and eleven potentially relevant articles were initially identified; One hundred and five were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Six items met the inclusion criteria. Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of auricular acupuncture as the primary management of chronic noncancer pain. Further studies and reviews should be considered to determine the validity of its implementation amongst medical providers who manage patients with chronic noncancer pain