Acupuncture for Treatment of Uncontrolled Pain: A Feasibility Study

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients, or the legal guardians of patients must have the ability to understand English, sign a written informed consent, and be willing to follow protocol requirements.
2. ECOG Performance Status of 0, 1, or 2.
3. Pain score >/= 4 on the on a 0-10 NRS pain scale after all efforts have been attempted in the PMC to control pain.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Local infection at or near the acupuncture site. (Although acupuncture is a minimally invasive procedure, patients will be excluded if there is an indication of infection.)
2. Deformities that could interfere with accurate acupuncture point location.
3. Known coagulopathy and taking any dose of warfarin (i.e., Coumadin) or heparin, including low molecular weight heparin (i.e., Lovenox). Patients may participate if they are taking Plavix, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
4. Mental incapacitation or significant emotional or psychological disorder that, in the opinion of the investigators, precludes study entry as these patients may not be able to cooperative with this slightly invasive procedure or with the data collection process.
5. Labs: platelets <100,000 and/or WBC < 3000 on most recent report. (Note: Whether or not lab work is drawn prior to beginning the acupuncture treatment will be left to the discretion of the referring physician. Patients with platelets <100,000 may participate with written approval from the attending physician.)
6. Planned changes in the pain medication regimen.
7. Women who are pregnant.