Use of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Sinus and Nasal Symptoms: Results of a Practitioner Survey

Abstract

Background The use of complementary medicine is increasingly popular in the United States. The use of acupuncture and its efficacy in treating chronic sinus and nasal symptoms is not well studied. Methods Regional licensed acupuncturists (1516) were mailed our acupuncture and chronic sinus and nasal symptoms survey. Results Three hundred thirty-one surveys (22%) were returned. Ninety-nine percent of those who returned surveys reported treating patients with chronic sinus and nasal symptoms. On a five-point scale the mean perceived efficacy for the overall treatment of chronic sinus and nasal symptoms was 4.2. The mean cost of an acupuncture treatment course for chronic sinus and nasal symptoms was calculated to be $730.00. Conclusion Complementary medicine practitioners frequently use acupuncture in the treatment of patients with chronic sinus and nasal symptoms. Although practitioners report good efficacy using acupuncture to treat such patients, quantitative data are certainly needed to substantiate these self-reports.