Most will choose conventional methods of relief. Too often this means medication. For those with severe, chronic pain, surgery may be considered. Medication has side-effects and surgery is costly, risky, and relief may still not be guaranteed. On the other hand, fifteen million acupuncture treatments are performed safely each year in America alone and the number is growing rapidly.
Anecdotal evidence indicates a high degree of patient satisfaction.
Scientific research indicates that acupuncture must be considered a serious alternative or complement to conventional pain management. Pacific Symposium 99 will explore the role of herbal medicine, body therapy, as well as acupuncture with the goal of hastening the day when acupuncture will be considered an integral part of conventional pain management and treatment. Pacific Symposium 99 will host the finest international faculty of Oriental medicine and present an innovative curriculum. It will be highly relevant to anyone interested in improving their treatment of pain with the techniques of Oriental medicine. Pacific Symposium will also be of interest to medical professionals who are not acupuncturists but are interested in referring to or employing acupuncturists in their medical practice.