Pam Ferguson, Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM), AOBTA & GSD-CI, LMT
| DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Chicago’s Angela Lorbeck, DACM, LAc, was one of many acupuncturists around the country horrified by a scene involving excessive needling during the March 18th episode of the popular NBC show “Chicago Med.”
For those who enjoy the show and range of unusual medical case studies, it was still a shock to watch a woman wheeled into the ER with dozens of needles sticking out of her back like a porcupine. She was in distress after apparently falling on her back (highly unlikely) following needling. We weren’t told if this was an awful result of dry needling, as no one accompanied the unfortunate Ms. Porcupine. ER staff fussed around her with opioids before planning to remove the embedded needles.
“What aired was not acupuncture,” said Dr. Lorbeck. “It was a sensationalized misrepresentation. Portrayals like this amplify fear, deepen misunderstanding, and deter patients from seeking care that could help them.” Dr Lorbeck initiated / supervised the inclusion of acupuncture (PCHS master’s and doctoral students) at Rush MD Anderson Chicago’s Cancer Integrative Medicine Program for years.
Afua Bromley, DACM, LAc, founder of Acupuncture St. Louis, and Universal Holistic Healthcare Services, was quick to note the unrealistic nature of “having a woman fall on her back with that many needles – all of them perpendicular – when anyone with proper training knows that is contraindicated because of the risk of pneumothorax.”
Austin, Texas-based Suzanne Rittenbury LAc, founder of Oak Hill Healing Arts, added, “Iatrogenic injury is MUCH more common through normal allopathic procedures than any of the tools of acupuncture. NBC and/or the producers of “Chicago Med” should issue an apology to the profession.”
Acupuncturist and bodyworker Alighta Averbukh, LAc, also of Austin, said, “It’s highly improbable for a qualified acupuncturist to use clusters of needles like that in a single session. It’s weird the show didn’t do due diligence on how acupuncture actually works.”
Victor Manuel, DOM, LAc, president of the Texas Acupuncture Association (TAAOM), agreed. “I’m surprised that the technical staff of “Chicago Med” would allow such an irresponsible representation of acupuncture on their show.”
It was blatantly clear to all of us that the producers of that offensive clip did not consult an experienced / licensed acupuncturist. Such sloppiness is all the more surprising for a show such as “Chicago Med,” as producers clearly consult medical experts for the most detailed and intricate of ER case studies, including appropriate interactions between medical staff, patients and families.
National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) CEO Mina Larson, MS, MBA, CAE, concluded: “It’s disappointing to see such dramatic misrepresentations, especially when they reinforce outdated myths and misconceptions about our profession. The image of a patient with dozens of needles embedded in her back, requiring emergency intervention, is not only inaccurate, but [also] perpetuates misunderstandings we have worked diligently to correct.”
Finally, the episode underlined the need for all of us to interact and speak out vigorously when popular TV shows present ridiculously misinformed clips of our medicine.
Editor’s Note: You can watch the “Chicago Med” episode, “The Cost of Living,” here. The acupuncture scene begins at the 1:45 mark.
