Commentary on the use of acupuncture in chronic pediatric pain.

The use of acupuncture for pain in pediatrics is a long-standing practice in Eastern cultures. Despite growing interest in the West, there has been relatively little systematic research on acupuncture for chronic pediatric pain. In particular, there is a paucity of randomized clinical trials testing the efficacy of acupuncture for chronic pain problems in pediatric populations. This commentary briefly reviews the history of acupuncture for pain and includes a summary of extant findings regarding potential mechanisms of its analgesic effects. Key areas for future research to advance the application of acupuncture to chronic pediatric pain problems are outlined.