Acupuncture
 

The term “acupuncture” literally means needle piercing. The procedure involves the insertion of very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific points of the body called acupoints. Sometimes, other tools are used in place of – or in addition to – the needles, such as lasers, ultrasonic waves and light waves. Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment.

Although acupuncture has been considered an unorthodox treatment by Western standards, it is widely used among Eastern societies. In fact, acupuncture has been a major part of human primary health care for the last 5,000 years in China. The treatment has been shown to cure a variety of health problems such as arthritis, stress, depression, fatigue, circulation and digestive problems.

There are many theories concerning why and how acupuncture works. Some scientists explain the immediate pain-relieving benefits of acupuncture as endorphins the body's own natural pain relievers. Others, who are more skeptical, point to the idea of “mind-over-matter” with acupuncture treatments.

While acupuncture has been enormously beneficial to many patients, it does have limitations. For example, the treatment cannot reverse damage that has already occurred to the body, nor can it reverse wasting of muscle.

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