Acupuncture for the Treatment of Postoperative Ileus After Gastrointestinal Surgery

Inclusion Criteria: * Must have the ability to understand and sign a written informed consent document, and be willing to follow protocol requirements * Diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer * Bowel resection was performed via an open or laparoscopic approach * Diagnosis of POI defined as one or more of the following criteria: 1) return to NPO status after initial attempts at oral diet, and/or 2) need for placement of nasogastric tube after surgery. * Willingness to comply with all study interventions of acupuncture Exclusion Criteria: * Active Infection at or near the acupuncture site or systemic infection (e.g. sepsis) * Physical deformities that could interfere with accurate acupuncture and point location * Concurrent use of other alternative medicines such as herbal agents and high dose vitamins and minerals * Known coagulopathy or taking heparin (including low molecular weight heparin) at full anti-coagulation doses (prophylaxis is allowed) or Coumadin at any dose. Patients on aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or other antiplatelet medicines will be allowed to participate * Platelets \<50 H K/UL in the past 30 days * White Blood Cells (WBCs) \<3.0 K/UL or Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) \<1500 K/UL in the past 30 days * INR \>5 in the past 30 days * Liver failure defined as liver function test \>5x upper limit of normal * Implanted electrical device such as a cardiac pacemaker, insulin pump or pain pump * Mental incapacitation or significant emotional or psychological disorder that, in the opinion of the investigators, precludes study entry * Previous acupuncture treatment for any indications within 30 days of enrollment * Currently pregnant * Grade III lymphedema/lymphedema considered severe by the treating clinician * Chronic daily opioid use prior to admission * Enrollment in another surgical clinical trial