Ear Acupuncture for Acute Sore Throat in Patients Unable to Take Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs)

Ear Acupuncture for Acute Sore Throat in Patients Unable to Take Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs)

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of ear acupuncture alone in subjects with a contraindication to anti-inflammatory medications in the reduction of pain and hours lost from work in acute sore throat.

Inclusion:

• Male and female subjects (DoD beneficiaries), 18 years or older, with upper respiratory complaints and their primary symptom being acute sore throat.
• Minimum pain score of 5 points on a 11 point scale (0-10 with 10 being the worst pain)

The above with any one of the following:

• Allergy to Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)
• History of significant gastrointestinal bleed
• Previous documented history of stage 2 kidney disease or worse
• History of gastric bypass surgery
• Chronic oral steroids use

Exclusion:

• Absence of one or more ears
• Known Pregnancy
• Known Peritonsillar abscess (PTA)
• Throat, mouth or esophageal cancer
• Active cellulitis of ear
• Ear anatomy precluding identification of acupuncture landmarks
• Use of Hearing Aids that preclude the use of ear acupuncture
• Non-English speaking