SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Minnesota hospitals are blazing a trail when it comes to integrative medicine. Only two hospitals in the nation offer acupuncture in the emergency room.
St. Francis Regional Medical Center started practicing the traditional Chinese medicine in its emergency room in April, following Abbott Northwestern’s lead.
A recent study by the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing found that ER patients who receive acupuncture experience significant reductions in pain and anxiety.
St. Francis is using acupuncture to treat symptoms such as migraines, nausea, anxiety and pain.
”We find out what it is that patients need that works along with Western medicine,” said Kristianne Schultz, Licensed Acupuncturist at St. Francis.
St. Francis officials say they hope acupuncture will replace opioid prescriptions for many patients. They say 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.