One of the best ways to demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture is by looking not only at clinical results, but also at potential cost reduction compared to standard medical treatment.

• A study from Spain, published in the June 2007 issue of the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, showed there is a cost benefit to acupuncture treatment in terms of reduced use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications.
• A research team led by Jorge Vas, MD, examined the records for 5,981 patients who sought treatment during a nine-year period, in order to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture for non-oncological pain.
• In looking at the cost for medications consumed before and after acupuncture treatment, the researchers found the mean difference to be €7.1 (US $9.70) per week, per patient. The greatest cost saving was for patients with headaches, with a mean difference of €26.1 (US $35.70) per week, per patient. The smallest difference was for patients treated for neck pain, with a mean difference of €6.6 (US $9.02) per week, per patient.
• Among the 5,690 patients who completed treatment, the mean success rate was 79.7%, with the highest rates (93%) for patients with headache. The mean reduction in pain intensity amounted to a 67% fall from baseline levels. No severe adverse event was recorded.

In looking at the findings, the researchers concluded: "The favorable response rate obtained for most of the patients, the absence of severe adverse events and the reduction in the consumption of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs all suggest that our experience could profitably be extended to other primary health care clinics for the treatment of nonmalignant pain."

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