Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which fine
needles are inserted into the skin at certain points on the body.
It is a complementary or alternative medicine (CAM). This means
that acupuncture is different in important ways from treatments that are part
of conventional western medicine. Unlike conventional treatments, the use of
acupuncture is not always based on scientific evidence.
Theory
Acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or 'life
force', flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is
known as Qi (pronounced 'chee'). Practitioners who adhere to traditional
beliefs about acupuncture believe that when Qi cannot flow freely through the
body, this can cause illness. They also believe that acupuncture can restore
the flow of Qi, and so restore health.
Uses
Practitioners – called acupuncturists – use acupuncture to treat
a wide range of health conditions. It is often used to treat pain conditions
such as headache, lower back pain and dental pain, but is also commonly used
against conditions ranging from infertility to anxiety and asthma. To
learn more, see Common uses of
acupuncture.
The availability of acupuncture on the NHS is limited (see box,
left). Most acupuncture patients pay for private treatment.
Does it work?
There is some evidence that acupuncture works for a small number
of conditions, including migraine and post-operative nausea. However, there is
little or no scientific evidence that acupuncture works for many of the
conditions for which it is often used. More scientific research is needed to
establish whether acupuncture is effective against these and other conditions.
There is no scientific evidence for the existence of Qi or
meridians. Some scientists and acupuncturists believe that acupuncture may
stimulate nerves and muscle tissue, and that this may be responsible for the
beneficial effects that have been observed in some scientific trials. More
research is needed before acupuncture’s method of action is fully understood.
For more information, see Evidence for
acupuncture. If you choose to have acupuncture, make sure that your
acupuncturist is fully qualified and practises the treatment under safe and
hygienic conditions.
Currently,
the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends
acupuncture as a treatment option only for lower back pain. Read the NICE 2009 guidelines
on l
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