Raenara Acupuncture in Kansas City, MO

Physician Referrals | Integrative Clinical Partnership

Evidence-Based Acupuncture at Raenara: Bridging Pharmacology and Neuromodulation

As the healthcare landscape shifts toward non-pharmacological interventions for chronic pain and symptom management, Raenara provides a sophisticated clinical bridge. Founded by Suzzette Griffith, L.Ac., Pharm.D., with dual certifications as a Licensed Acupuncturist and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), our practice is uniquely equipped to collaborate with physicians.

We understand the complexities of polypharmacy, drug-herb interactions, and the physiological mechanisms of the nervous system. Our goal is to serve as a high-level referral resource for your patients who require safe, natural, and clinically validated alternatives or adjuncts to their current medical regimen.

Clinical Evidence & Indications

The efficacy of acupuncture is no longer a matter of anecdote. Robust meta-analyses and systematic reviews, including those cited by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), confirm its utility across several key domains:

1. Chronic Pain Management

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is a reasonable referral option for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

• The Evidence: A landmark individual patient data meta-analysis of nearly 20,000 patients found that acupuncture is superior to both sham and no-acupuncture controls for back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headache.
• Source: Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Pain (2018).

2. Migraine & Tension-Type Headache Prophylaxis

For patients experiencing "pill fatigue" or medication-overuse headaches, acupuncture offers a powerful prophylactic alternative.

• The Evidence: Cochrane Reviews conclude that acupuncture reduces the frequency of episodic migraines and is at least as effective as prophylactic drug treatment with fewer reported side effects.
• Source: Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016).

3. Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Acupuncture serves as a vital non-surgical intervention for patients with KOA who have contraindications to NSAIDs or long-term steroid use.

• The Evidence: Research indicates that acupuncture significantly improves physical function and provides clinically relevant pain relief compared to usual care.
• Source: Berman BM, et al. Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Annals of Internal Medicine (2004).

4. Oncology Support: CINV & Pain

We provide supportive care for oncology patients to improve quality of life and adherence to primary treatments.

• The Evidence: Acupuncture is recognized as a safe medical procedure to help control chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and cancer-related pain.
• Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) - Acupuncture PDQ® (2024).

5. Chronic Low Back Pain (LBP)

Acupuncture is now recognized as a primary non-pharmacological intervention for non-radicular low back pain, particularly when avoiding the risks of long-term NSAID or opioid use.

• The Evidence: The American College of Physicians (ACP) clinical practice guidelines strongly recommend acupuncture as a first-line therapy for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain.
• Source: Qaseem A, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine (2017).

6. Allergic Rhinitis

For patients seeking to reduce reliance on antihistamines or intranasal corticosteroids, acupuncture offers significant symptomatic relief with a superior safety profile.

• The Evidence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of nearly 2,400 patients demonstrated that acupuncture significantly lowered Total Nasal Symptom Scores and decreased the need for rescue medication.
• Source: Feng S, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy (2015).

7. Postoperative Pain & Opioid Sparing

In the era of the opioid crisis, acupuncture serves as a vital tool in "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery" (ERAS) protocols, reducing the total morphine equivalent dose required post-procedure.

• The Evidence: Research indicates that patients receiving acupuncture as an adjunct to standard postoperative care experience lower pain intensity and a significant reduction in opioid consumption on day one post-surgery.
• Source: Wu MS, et al. The Efficacy of Acupuncture in Post-Operative Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE (2016).

8. Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms (Hot Flashes)

Acupuncture is a clinically viable alternative for women who are not candidates for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or who prefer a non-hormonal approach to menopausal symptoms.

• The Evidence: Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture provides a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of hot flashes, often with effects persisting for months after the conclusion of treatment.
• Source: Chiu HY, et al. Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause (2015).

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Safety and Professional Standards at Raenara

At Raenara, we adhere to the highest clinical safety standards:

• Sterile Technique: We use only single-use, sterile, filiform needles.
• Minimal Adverse Events: According to the NCCIH, serious complications from acupuncture are extremely rare when performed by qualified practitioners. Minor side effects are limited to occasional localized bruising or soreness.
• Pharmacological Oversight: With a Pharm.D. on staff, we proactively monitor for potential interactions if herbal medicine is discussed, ensuring that our treatments never compromise your primary medical plan.

Collaborative Care: How to Refer

We believe in the "Continuum of Care." When you refer a patient to Raenara, we provide:

Initial Assessment Reports: Outlining the patient’s TCM diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.
Progress Tracking: Regular updates on pain scores and functional improvements.
Open Dialogue: Direct communication regarding medication adjustments or red-flag symptoms.

To refer a patient or request a clinical briefing for your practice:

Phone: 816-209-8319
Raenara is committed to the highest standards of integrative medicine. We look forward to supporting your patients' journeys toward optimal health.