Battlefield Acupuncture in Addition to Standard Physical Therapy after Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial — APTA CSM 2023

Crowell M, Pitt W, Mason J, Posner M, Cameron K, and Goss D

Abstract selected for a podium presentation at 2023 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, California

Shoulder instability is common in active young athletes and military personnel, often requiring shoulder stabilization surgery. Acute post-operative pain is usually managed with opioid pain medications, which have adverse effects that reduce military readiness. Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) has demonstrated promise as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for acute post-operative pain. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the effectiveness of BFA on post-surgical pain and opioid medication usage.