Acupuncture \Ac`u*punc"ture\ ([a^]k`[-u]*p[u^][ng]k"t[-u]r or
[a^]k"[-u]*p[u^][ng]k`ch[-u]r), n. [L. acus needle + punctura
a pricking, fr. pungere to prick: cf. F. acuponcture.]
Pricking with a needle; a needle prick. Specifically (Med.):
The insertion of needles into the living tissues for remedial
purposes, such as to relieve pain. It was first recorded as
being practised in China, and the technique is believed to be
over 2,000 years old. AS
[1913 Webster]
Acupuncture
(An NIH Consensus Statement prepared by a nonadvocate,
non-Federal panel of experts)
November 3-5, 1997
Vol. 15, No. 5
Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely
practiced in the United States. While there have been
many studies of its potential usefulness, many of these
studies provide equivocal results because of design,
sample size, and other factors. The issue is further
complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of
appropriate controls, such as placebos and sham
acupuncture groups. However, promising results have
emerged, for example, showing efficacy of acupuncture
in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and
vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are
other situations such as addiction, stroke
rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis
elbow, fibromyalgia, myofacial pain, osteoarthritis,
low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where
acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an
acceptable alternative or be included in a
comprehensive management program. Further research is
likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture
interventions will be useful.
--taken from:
http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/107/107_intro.htm
[PJC]
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