Acupuncture  

Acupuncture is a technique of inswerting and manipulation filiform needles into "acupucnture points" on the body with the aim of

restroing health and well-being, e.g. treating pain, diseases Acupuncture is thought to have originated in China and different types of acupuncture (Japanese, Korean, and Chinese acupuncture) are practiced and taught throughout the world.

  Scientists are studying the mechanisms and efficacy of acupuncture. Researchers using the protocols of evidence-based medicine have found good evidence that acupuncture is effective in treating nausea and chronic low back pain and moderate evidence for neck pain and headache. The WHO, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Medical Association (AMA) and various government reports have also studied and commented on the efficacy of acupuncture. There is general agreement that acupuncture is at least safe when administered by well-trained practitioners, and that further research is warranted. Though occasionally charged as pseudoscience, Dr. William F. Williams, author of Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience, notes that acupuncture --"once rejected as 'oriental fakery' -- is now (if grudgingly) recognized as engaged in something quite real."

According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (2004), acupuncture may be considered as a complementary therapy for the conditions in the list below. The conditions labeled with * are also included in the World Health Organization list of acupuncture indications. These cases, however, are based on clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled clinical research: furthermore, the inclusion of specific diseases are not meant to indicate the extent of acupuncture's efficacy in treating them.

• Abdominal distention/flatulence*
• Acute and chronic pain control*
• Allergic sinusitis *
• Anesthesia for high-risk patients or patients with previous adverse responses to anesthetics
• Anorexia
• Anxiety, fright, panic*
• Arthritis/arthrosis *
• Atypical chest pain (negative workup)
• Bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome*
• Certain functional gastrointestinal disorders (nausea and vomiting, esophageal spasm, hyperacidity, irritable bowel) *
• Cervical and lumbar spine syndromes*
• Constipation, diarrhea *
• Cough with contraindications for narcotics
• Drug detoxification *
• Dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain *
• Frozen shoulder *
• Headache (migraine and tension-type), vertigo (Meniere disease), tinnitus *
• Idiopathic palpitations, sinus tachycardia
• In fractures, assisting in pain control, edema, and enhancing healing process
• Muscle spasms, tremors, tics, contractures*
• Neuralgias (trigeminal, herpes zoster, postherpetic pain, other)
• Paresthesias *
• Persistent hiccups*
• Phantom pain
• Plantar fasciitis*
• Post-traumatic and post-operative ileus *
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Selected dermatoses (urticaria, pruritus, eczema, psoriasis)
• Sequelae of stroke syndrome (aphasia, hemiplegia) *
• Seventh nerve palsy
• Severe hyperthermia
• Sprains and contusions
• Temporo-mandibular joint derangement, bruxism *
• Urinary incontinence, retention (neurogenic, spastic, adverse drug effect) *

In the USA, acupuncture is practiced by a variety of healthcare providers. Practitioners who specialize in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are usually referred to as "licensed acupuncturists", or L.Ac.'s. Other healthcare providers such as physicians, dentists and chiropractors sometimes also practice acupuncture, though they may often receive less training than L.Ac.'s. L.Ac.'s generally receive from 2500 to 4000 hours of training in Chinese medical theory, acupuncture, and basic biosciences. Some also receive training in Chinese herbology and/or bodywork. The amount of training required for healthcare providers who are not L.Ac.'s varies from none to a few hundred hours, and in Hawaii the practice of acupuncture requires full training as a licensed acupuncturist. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine tests practitioners to ensure they are knowledgeable about Chinese medicine and appropriate sterile technique. Many states require this test for licensing, but each state has its own laws and requirements. In some states, acupuncturists are required to work with an M.D. in a subservient relationship, even if the M.D. has no training in acupuncture.

Acupuncture is becoming accepted by the general public and by doctors. Over fifteen million Americans tried acupuncture in 1994. A poll of American doctors in 2005 showed that 60% believe acupuncture was at least somewhat effective, with the percentage increasing to 75% if acupuncture is considered as a complement to conventional treatment.

In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration changed the status of acupuncture needles from Class III to Class II medical devices, meaning that needles are regarded as safe and effective when used appropriately by licensed practitioners