Ear Acupuncture for Acute Sore Throat.
Ear Acupuncture for Acute Sore Throat.
The purpose of this study is to compare ear acupuncture plus standard of care versus standard
 therapy (anti-inflammatory medications) in the reduction of pain, reduction in oral anti
 inflammatory medication use, 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 an 11 point scale (0-10 with 10 being the worst
 pain)

 Exclusion:

 -  History of significant gastrointestinal bleed

 -  Previous documented history of stage 2 kidney disease or worse

 -  Known Pregnancy

 -  History of gastric bypass surgery

 -  Known Peritonsillar abscess (PTA)

 -  Throat, mouth or esophageal cancer

 -  Chronic oral steroids use

 -  Absence of one or more ears

 -  Active cellulitis of ear

 -  Ear anatomy precluding identification of acupuncture landmarks

 -  Non-English speaking

 -  Use of Hearing Aids that preclude the use of ear acupuncture

 -  Allergy to Ibuprofen