Treating Pain of Children

Anne C. Roark’s article, which documented the shocking abuse of children during surgery, brings to mind an alternative to drug-induced analgesia--acupuncture. In 1974, during a visit to China, I was witness to the routine use of acupuncture as an analgesic in a Peking hospital. Major surgery was performed on patients of all ages, including young children, while acupuncture was administered. Patients were fully awake and showed no sign of pain or major discomfort.

There was absolutely no mention of acupuncture in your article. Is it possible that our medical profession is totally ignorant of the value of acupuncture to relieve pain? Or are they mesmerized by the pharmaceutical industry and unwilling to pursue “foreign” and “unproven” methods? Even ancient proven healing practices are disdained by our high-tech arrogance. It’s time to challenge the medical status quo.

TANJA WINTER

La Jolla