Post-Surgical Acupuncture

Course overview

Within the current standard of care, patients will often have surgery and be referred to a physical therapist after a protocol period of time determined by their surgeon. However, a critical gap in this recovery protocol can be effectively addressed with acupuncture. Acupuncture efficacy and role in mitigating effects post-procedure such as anesthesia toxicity, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain/inflammation, and wound healing will be discussed. Goals and Objectives: Learn what current standard of care is for several common orthopedic and neurological procedures Understand best practices for approaching surgeons and ethically communicate the role acupuncture can play in the recovery process Gain confidence with managing risk in common situations experienced dealing with post-surgical patients Learn common post-surgical issues patients experience and how acupuncture can play a role in expediting their recovery Understand how to implement an appropriate treatment plan for a post-surgical patient Gain proficiency in addressing gaps in the standard of care with effective acupuncture for post-surgical patients After researching the effects of acupuncture for post-surgical patients during her doctorate, Dr. Nell Smircina, DAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM has built and scaled her practice with a focus on bridging gaps in care for post-surgical patients with acupuncture. Dr. Nell is a passionate practitioner, but also a dedicated advocate for improving healthcare for patients. She serves as the Vice Chair of Public Policy for the ASA, and as the Director of Development for the American Acupuncture Council.