NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Acupuncture points

Acupuncture (from Lat. acus, "needle" (noun), and pungere, "prick" (verb) or in Standard Mandarin, zhēn jiǔ (針灸) is a broad term covering techniques for inserting and manipulating thin needles into "acupuncture points" on the body in order to restore health and well-being. In the West, it is associated with Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM along with herbal medicine and tui na. Other types of acupuncture, notably Japanese, Korean, and classical Chinese acupuncture, are practiced and taught throughout the world. Acupuncture's effects are a matter of active scientific research and debate. Most claims of acupuncture have not been proved to the scientific standards of evidence-based medicine (cf. Cochrane Collaboration). Acupuncture chart, Ming dynasty Source: Imagery From the History of Medicine This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... Acupuncture chart, Ming dynasty Source: Imagery From the History of Medicine This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... The MÃng Dynasty (Chinese: æ˜Žæœ; Hanyu Pinyin: ) was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. ... Standard Mandarin is the official Chinese spoken language used by the Peoples Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Malaysia and Singapore. ... Acupuncture points (also called acupoints or tsubo) are specific anatomical locations on the body that are believed to be therapeutically useful for acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture, or laser treatment. ... TCM shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... The term Herbalism refers to folk and traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. ... Tui na (æŽ¨æ‹ or æŽ¨æ‹¿, both pronounced tÅ«i nÃ¡), is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbalism and qigong. ... Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, recognizing that many long-established medical traditions are not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. ... The Cochrane Collaboration developed in response to Archie Cochranes call for systematic, up-to-date reviews (currently known as systematic reviews) of all relevant randomized clinical trials of health care. ...

History

Acupuncture originated in China then spread into Asia, spawning a variety of needling techniques, treatment styles, and theoretical frameworks.

In China, the practice of acupuncture can perhaps be traced as far back as the 1^st millennium BC, and archeological evidence has been identified with the period of the Han dynasty (from 202 BC to 220 AD). Forms of it are also described in the literature of traditional Korean medicine where it is called chimsul. It is also important in Kampo, the traditional medicine system of Japan. (2nd millennium BC â€“ 1st millennium BC â€“ 1st millennium â€“ other millennia) // Events The Iron Age spread to Western Europe Egypt declined as a major power The Tanakh was written Buddhism was founded by Siddharta Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha (6th century BC) Jainism was founded by Mahavira (6th century BC... The Han Dynasty (Traditional Chinese: æ¼¢æœ; Simplified Chinese: æ±‰æœ; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Han Chau; 206 BCâ€“AD 220) followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. ... Dionysius Exiguus invented Anno Domini years to date Easter. ... Dionysius Exiguus invented Anno Domini years to date Easter. ... Traditional Korean medicine (Hangul: í•œì˜í•™, Hanja: éŸ“é†«å¸) developed with the influence of Chinese medical techniques and procedures. ... KampÅ (or KanpÅ , æ¼¢æ–¹) medicine is the Japanese study and adaptation of Chinese medicine. ...

Recent examinations of Ötzi, a 5000-year-old mummy found in the Alps, have identified over fifty tattoos on his body, some of which are located on acupuncture points that would today be used to treat ailments Ötzi suffered from. Some scientists believe that this is evidence that practices similar to acupuncture were practiced elsewhere in Eurasia during the early bronze age[1], [2]. Ã–tzi the Iceman (also spelled Oetzi and known also as Frozen Fritz) is the modern nickname of a well-preserved natural mummy of a man from about 3300 BC, found in 1991 in a glacier of the Ã–tztaler Alps, near the border between Austria and Italy. ... A mummy is a corpse whose skin and dried flesh have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold or dryness, or airlessness. ... The West face of the Petit Dru above the Chamonix valley near the Mer de Glace. ... A tattoo is a design or marking made by the insertion of a pigment into punctures or cuts in the skin. ... Eurasia African-Eurasian aspect of Earth Eurasia is the landmass composed of Europe and Asia. ... The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ...

Acupuncture's origins in China are uncertain. The earliest Chinese medical texts (Ma-wang-tui graves 68 BC) do not mention acupuncture. The Chinese medical text that first describes acupuncture is The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (History of Acupuncture), which was compiled around 305-204 B.C. Some hieroglyphics have been found dating back to 1000 B.C. that may indicate an early use of acupuncture. Bian stones, sharp pointed stones used to treat diseases in ancient times, have also been discovered in ruins (History of Acupuncture in China); some scholars believe that the bloodletting for which these stones were likely used presages certain acupuncture techniques [3].

RC Crozier in the book Traditional medicine in modern China (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1968) says the early Chinese Communist Party expressed considerable antipathy towards TCM, ridiculing it as superstitious, irrational and backward, and claiming that it conflicted with the Party’s dedication to science as the way of progress. Acupuncture was included in this criticism. Reversing this position, Communist Party Chairman Mao later said that "Chinese medicine and pharmacology are a great treasure house and efforts should be made to explore them and raise them to a higher level"[4]. Barefoot doctors were trained to provide inexpensive health care in rural Chinese communities. After the Cultural Revolution, TCM instruction was incorporated into university medical curricula under the "Three Roads" policy, wherein TCM, biomedicine and a synthesis of the two would all be encouraged and permitted to develop. Mao could refer to: Mao Zedong, (Mao Tse-Tung in Wade-Giles) leader of the Communist Party of China from 1935 to 1976. ... Barefoot doctors were farmers who got basic medical training and worked in rural villages in China to bring health care to areas where urban-trained doctors would not settle. ... A poster during the Cultural Revolution. ...

Traditional theory

TCM is based on a different paradigm than scientific biomedicine. Acupuncture treats the human body as a whole that involves several "systems of function" that are in many cases associated with (but not identified on a one-to-one basis with) physical organs. Some systems of function, such as the "triple heater" (San Jiao, also called the "triple burner") have no corresponding physical organ. Disease is understood as a loss of homeostasis among the several systems of function, and treatment of disease is attempted by modifying the activity of one or more systems of function through the activity of needles, pressure, heat, etc. on sensitive parts of the body of small volume traditionally called "acupuncture points" in English, or "xue" (穴, cavities) in Chinese. This is referred to as treating "patterns of disharmony". Since the late 1800s, the word paradigm (IPA: ) has referred to a thought pattern in any scientific discipline or other epistemological context. ... The San Jiao (ä¸‰ç„¦) is a traditional Chinese medical (TCM) concept of a functional organ that is not found outside of TCM (see Zang Fu theory). ...

Treatment of acupuncture points may be performed along the twelve main or eight extra meridians, located throughout the body. Of the eight extra meridians, only two have acupuncture points of their own. The other six meridians are "activated" by using a master and couple point technique which involves needling the acupuncture points located on the twelve main meridians that correspond to the particular extra meridian. Ten of the main meridians are named after organs of the body (Heart, Liver, etc.), and the other two are named after so called body functions (Heart Protector or Pericardium, and San Jiao). The two most important of the eight "extra" meridians are situated on the midline of the anterior and posterior aspects of the trunk and head. The twelve primary meridians run vertically, bilaterally, and symmetrically and every channel corresponds to and connects internally with one of the twelve Zang Fu ("organs"). This means that there are six yin and six yang channels. There are three yin and three yang channels on each arm, and three yin and three yang on each leg. The concept of meridians (Chinese: jing-luo) arises from the techniques and doctrines of traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture and acupressure. ... The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels. ... To differentiate between western or eastern concepts of organs the first letter is capitalized (Liver, instead of liver, Spleen instead of spleen). ... Yin may refer to: Yin Dynasty, another name for the first historic Chinese nation and dynasty, the Shang. ... Yang is the one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy, it associates with the bright Sun, represents masculine nature. ... Yin may refer to: Yin Dynasty, another name for the first historic Chinese nation and dynasty, the Shang. ... Yang is the one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy, it associates with the bright Sun, represents masculine nature. ... Yin may refer to: Yin Dynasty, another name for the first historic Chinese nation and dynasty, the Shang. ... Yang is the one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy, it associates with the bright Sun, represents masculine nature. ...

The three yin channels of the hand (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart) begin on the chest and travel along the inner surface (mostly the anterior portion) of the arm to the hand. Yin may refer to: Yin Dynasty, another name for the first historic Chinese nation and dynasty, the Shang. ... The lungs flank the heart and great vessels in the chest cavity. ... The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels. ... The heart and lungs, from an older edition of Grays Anatomy. ...

The three yang channels of the hand (Large intestine, San Jiao, and Small intestine) begin on the hand and travel along the outer surface (mostly the posterior portion) of the arm to the head. Yang is the one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy, it associates with the bright Sun, represents masculine nature. ... In anatomy of the digestive system, the colon is the part of the intestine from the cecum to the rectum. ... The San Jiao (ä¸‰ç„¦) is a traditional Chinese medical (TCM) concept of a functional organ that is not found outside of TCM (see Zang Fu theory). ... Diagram showing the small intestine In biology the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and the large intestine (colon). ...

The three yang channels of the foot (Stomach, Gallbladder, and Bladder) begin on the face, in the region of the eye, and travels down the body and along the outer surface (mostly the anterior and lateral portion) of the leg to the foot. Yang is the one of the two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy, it associates with the bright Sun, represents masculine nature. ... The stomach (Gaster) In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek ÏƒÏ„ÏŒÎ¼Î±Ï‡Î¿Ï‚) is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract used to digest food. ... Gall bladder Digestive system diagram showing the bile duct The gallbladder (or cholecyst) is a pear-shaped organ that stores about 50 ml of bile (or gall) until the body needs it for digestion. ... The interior of bladder. ...

The three yin channels of the foot (Spleen, Liver, and Kidney) begin on the foot and travel along the inner surface (mostly posterior and medial portion) of the leg to the chest or flank. Yin may refer to: Yin Dynasty, another name for the first historic Chinese nation and dynasty, the Shang. ... The spleen is a ductless, vertebrate gland that is not necessary for life but is closely associated with the circulatory system, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and removal of other debris from the bloodstream, and also in holding a reservoir of blood. ... The liver is one of the largest internal organs of the human body. ... Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ...

The movement of qi through each of the twelve channels is comprised of an internal and an external pathway. The external pathway is what is normally shown on an acupuncture chart and it is relatively superficial. All the acupuncture points of a channel lie on its external pathway. The internal pathways are the deep course of the channel where it enters the body cavities and related Zang-Fu organs. The superficial pathways of the twelve channels describe three complete circuits of the body. Qi, also commonly spelled chi, chi or ki, is a fundamental concept of everyday Chinese culture, most often defined as air or breath (for example, a term meaning weather is tiÄn qi, or the breath of heaven) and, by extension, life force or spiritual energy that is part...

The distribution of qi through the meridians is said to be as follows: Lung channel of hand taiyin to Large Intestine channel of hand yangming to Stomach channel of foot yangming to Spleen channel of foot taiyin to Heart channel of hand shaoyin to Small Intestine channel of hand taiyang to Bladder channel of foot taiyang to Kidney channel of foot shaoyin to Pericardium channel of hand jueyin to San Jiao channel of hand shaoyang to Gallbladder channel of foot shaoyang to Liver channel of foot jueyin then back to the Lung channel of hand taiyin Qi, also commonly spelled chi, chi or ki, is a fundamental concept of everyday Chinese culture, most often defined as air or breath (for example, a term meaning weather is tiÄn qi, or the breath of heaven) and, by extension, life force or spiritual energy that is part... The San Jiao (ä¸‰ç„¦) is a traditional Chinese medical (TCM) concept of a functional organ that is not found outside of TCM (see Zang Fu theory). ... Shaoyang (simplified Chinese: é‚µé˜³; traditional Chinese: é‚µé™½; pinyin: ShÃ oyÃ¡ng) is a prefecture-level city in Hunan province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Shaoyang (simplified Chinese: é‚µé˜³; traditional Chinese: é‚µé™½; pinyin: ShÃ oyÃ¡ng) is a prefecture-level city in Hunan province of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

Traditional Chinese medical theory holds that acupuncture works by normalizing the balance of qi "vital energy" throughout the body. Pain or illnesses are treated by attempting to remedy local or systemic accumulations or deficiencies of qi. Pain is considered to indicate blockage or stagnation of the flow of qi, and an axiom of the medical literature of acupuncture is "no pain, no blockage; no blockage, no pain". Qi, also commonly spelled chi, chi or ki, is a fundamental concept of everyday Chinese culture, most often defined as air or breath (for example, a term meaning weather is tiÄn qi, or the breath of heaven) and, by extension, life force or spiritual energy that is part...

Many patients claim to experience the sensations of stimulus known in Chinese as "deqi" (得氣 "obtaining the qi"). This kind of sensation was historically considered to be evidence of effectively locating the desired point. There are some electronic devices now available which will make a noise when what they have been programmed to describe as the "correct" acupuncture point is pressed.

The acupuncturist will decide which points to treat by thoroughly questioning the patient, and utilizing the diagnostic skills of traditional Chinese medicine which include observation of the left and right radial pulses at three levels of imposed pressure and analysis of the tongue coating, color and the absence or presence of teeth marks around the edge. An Acupuncturist is a person who practices acupuncture professionally. ... TCM shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ...

There are also theories being developed to explain effects observed for acupuncture within the orthodox Western medical paradigm.

Because the theories of TCM are not based on science, TCM has been called pseudoscience (needs reference). Ted Kaptchuk, author of the popular introductory text "The Web That Has No Weaver", refers to TCM's conceptual framework as "prescientific" (1983). Phrenology is regarded today as being a classic example of pseudoscience. ...

According to the NIH consensus statement on acupuncture [5]: NIH can refer to: National Institutes of Health Norwegian School of Sports Sciences: (Norges idrettshÃ¸gskole - NIH) Not Invented Here This is a disambiguation page â€” a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Qi, also commonly spelled chi, chi or ki, is a fundamental concept of everyday Chinese culture, most often defined as air or breath (for example, a term meaning weather is tiÄn qi, or the breath of heaven) and, by extension, life force or spiritual energy that is part...

TCM perspective on treatment of biomedical disease

Although TCM is based on the treatment of "patterns of disharmony" rather than biomedical diagnoses, practitioners familiar with both systems have commented on relationships between the two. A given TCM pattern of disharmony may be reflected in a certain range of biomedical diagnoses: thus, the pattern called Deficiency of Spleen Qi could manifest as chronic fatigue, diarrhea or uterine prolapse. Likewise, a population of patients with a given biomedical diagnosis may have varying TCM patterns. These observations are encapsulated in the TCM aphorism "One disease, many patterns; one pattern, many diseases". (Kaptchuk, 1982)

In 1979, an interregional seminar in Beijing sponsored by World Health Organization drew up the following provisional list of diseases that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment. The compilers of the list stated that "(t)he list is 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" [6]. (helpÂ· info) (IPA peiË© tÉ•ÉªÅ‹Ë¦), a city in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... WHO emblem The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, acting as a coordinating authority on international public health, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ...

This list is based on TCM and not on science. Since 1979, large, randomized controlled studies have for the most part failed to demonstrate acupuncture's efficacy for these conditions. Thus, this list is not a scientific endorsement of efficacy, but rather reflects of the clinical experience of TCM practitioners. These indications are still taught in TCM curricula in China, the United States, Great Britain and elsewhere. Classically, "(i)n clinical practice, acupuncture treatment is typically highly-individualized and based on philosophical constructs, and subjective and intuitive impressions" and not on controlled scientific research [7].

Legal and political status

In the USA, acupuncture is practiced by a variety of healthcare providers. Practitioners who specialize in acupuncture and TCM are usually referred to as "licensed acupuncturists", or L.Ac.'s. Other healthcare providers such as physicians, dentists and chiropractors sometimes also practice acupuncture. L.Ac's generally receive from 2500 to 4000 hours of training in TCM theory, acupuncture, basic biosciences, and sometimes 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 in 1994 tried acupuncture. 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 [8].

In Australia, the legalities of practicing acupuncture also vary by state. In 2000, an independent government agency was established to oversee the practice of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture in the state of Victoria. The Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria [9] aims to protect the public, ensuring that only appropriately experienced or qualified practitioners are registered to practice Chinese Medicine. The legislation put in place stipulates that only practitioners who are state registered may use the following titles: Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Registered Acupuncturist, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner, and Registered Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner.

In the United Kingdom, British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) members observe the Code of Safe Practice with standards of hygiene and sterilisation of equipment. Members use single-use pre-sterilised disposable needles. Similar standards apply in most jurisdictions in the United States and Australia.

In Ontario, Canada bill #50 defines "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM) and includes standards for accreditation. It may become law. Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English (French has some legal status) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation - House seat - Senate seats 106 24 Area Total â€¢ Land â€¢ Water (% of total) Ranked...

In the province of British Columbia the TCM practitioners and Acupuncturists Bylaws were approved by the provincial government on April 12, 2001. The governing body, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia provides professional licensing. Acupuncturists began lobbying the B.C. government in the 1970s for regulation of the profession which was achieved in 2003. Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages none stated in law; English is de facto Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation - House seat - Senate seats 36 6 Area Total â€¢ Land â€¢ Water (% of total) Ranked 5th 944,735...

Clinical practice

Most modern acupuncturists use disposable stainless steel needles of fine diameter (0.007" to 0.020", 0.18mm to 0.51 mm), sterilized with ethylene oxide or by autoclave. The upper third of these needles is wound with a thicker wire (typically bronze) to stiffen the needle, provide a handle for the acupuncturist to grasp while inserting the needle, and also provide a surface to which dried mugwort will more easily adhere. The size and type of needle used, and the depth of insertion, depend on the acupuncture style being practiced. In metallurgy, stainless steel (inox) is defined as a ferrous alloy with a minimum of 10. ... For the geometric term, see diameter. ... The chemical compound ethylene oxide is an important industrial chemical used as an intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol and other chemicals, and as a sterilant for foodstuffs and medical supplies. ... Front loading autoclaves are common Image:Autoclave cassette. ...

Warming an acupuncture point, typically by moxibustion (the burning of mugwort), is a different treatment than acupuncture itself and is often, but not exclusively, used as a supplementing treatment. The Chinese term zhēn jǐu (針灸), commonly used to refer to acupuncture, comes from zhen meaning "needle", and jiu meaning "moxibustion". Moxibustion is still used in the 21^st century to varying degrees among the schools of traditional Chinese medicine. For example, one well known technique is to insert the needle at the desired acupuncture point, attach dried mugwort to the external end of an acupuncture needle, and then ignite the mugwort. The mugwort will then smolder for several minutes (depending on the amount adhered to the needle) and conduct heat through the needle to the tissue surrounding the needle in the patient's body. Moxibustion Moxibustion (Chinese: ç¸; pinyin: jiÅ) is an oriental medicine therapy utilizing moxa, or mugwort herb. ... Binomial name Artemisia vulgaris L. Mugwort or Common Wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris) is a species from the daisy family Asteraceae. ... The 21st century is the century that began on 1 January 2001 and will last to 31 December 2100. ...

An example of acupuncture treatment

In western medicine, vascular headaches (the kind that are accompanied by throbbing veins in the temples) are typically treated with analgesics such as aspirin and/or by the use of agents such as niacin that dilate the affected blood vessels in the scalp, but in acupuncture a common treatment for such headaches is to stimulate the sensitive points that are located roughly in the center of the webs between the thumbs and the palms of the patient, the hé gǔ points. These points are described by acupuncture theory as "targeting the face and head" and are considered to be the most important point when treating disorders affecting the face and head. The patient reclines, and the points on each hand are first sterilized with alcohol, and then thin, disposable needles are inserted to a depth of approximately 3-5 mm until a characteristic "twinge" is felt by the patient, often accompanied by a slight twitching of the muscle between the thumb and hand. Most patients report a pleasurable "tingling" sensation and feeling of relaxation while the needles are in place. The needles are retained for 15-20 minutes while the patient rests, and then are removed. Download high resolution version (2067x1627, 324 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2067x1627, 324 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

In the clinical practice of acupuncturists, patients frequently report one or more of certain kinds of sensation that are associated with this treatment, sensations that are stronger than those that would be felt by a patient not suffering from a vascular headache: (1) Extreme sensitivity to pain at the points in the webs of the thumbs. (2) In bad headaches, a feeling of nausea that persists for roughly the same period as the stimulation being administered to the webs of the thumbs. (3) Simultaneous relief of the headache. (See Zhen Jiu Xue, p. 177f et passim.)

The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization dedicated to evidence-based medicine, concluded from peer-reviewed research that "(o)verall, the existing evidence supports the value of acupuncture for the treatment of idiopathic headaches. However, the quality and amount of evidence are not fully convincing. There is an urgent need for well-planned, large-scale studies to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions." [10]. The Cochrane Collaboration developed in response to Archie Cochranes call for systematic, up-to-date reviews (currently known as systematic reviews) of all relevant randomized clinical trials of health care. ... Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, recognizing that many long-established medical traditions are not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. ... Peer review (known as refereeing in some academic fields) is a scholarly process used in the publication of manuscripts and in the awarding of funding for research. ...

Scientific research

Evidence-based medicine

There is scientific agreement that an evidence-based medicine (EBM) framework should be used to assess health outcomes and that systematic reviews with strict protocols are essential. Organisations such as the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier publish such reviews. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, recognizing that many long-established medical traditions are not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. ... The Cochrane Collaboration developed in response to Archie Cochranes call for systematic, up-to-date reviews (currently known as systematic reviews) of all relevant randomized clinical trials of health care. ... Bandolier is an independent online electronic journal about evidence-based healthcare, written by Oxford scientists. ...

For the following conditions, the Cochrane Collaboration concluded there is insufficient evidence that acupuncture is beneficial, often because of the paucity and poor quality of the research and that further research would be needed to support claims for efficacy: The Cochrane Collaboration developed in response to Archie Cochranes call for systematic, up-to-date reviews (currently known as systematic reviews) of all relevant randomized clinical trials of health care. ...

In one area a Cochrane Collaboration review says the P6 acupoint "seems to reduce the risk of nausea but not vomiting" [11]. Another review disagrees [12]. The Cochrane Collaboration developed in response to Archie Cochranes call for systematic, up-to-date reviews (currently known as systematic reviews) of all relevant randomized clinical trials of health care. ...

Bandolier at Oxford University states "There is no evidence from high quality trials that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of migraine and other forms of headache. The trials showing a significant benefit of acupuncture were of dubious methodological quality. Overall, the trials were of poor methodological quality." They also reported [13] "There were no high quality trials of acupuncture for stroke that showed that it was beneficial."

In practice, EBM does not demand that doctors ignore research outside its "top-tier" criteria [14].

NIH consensus statement

In 1997, the NIH issued a consensus statement on acupuncture that concluded that 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for medical research. ... Medical consensus is a public statement on a particular aspect of medical knowledge available at the time it was written, and that is generally agreed upon as the evidence-based, state-of-the-art (or state-of-science) knowledge by a representative group of experts in that area. ...

The statement was not a policy statement of the NIH [16] but rather the assessment of a panel whose impartiality has been questioned by members of the NCAHF [17]. The NCAHF has itself been accused of bias against Complementary and alternative medicine, e.g. by members of the chiropractic profession[18]. The National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) is a voluntary private nonprofit health agency that focuses on health misinformation, fraud, and quackery related to public health problems. ... The National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) is a voluntary private nonprofit health agency that focuses on health misinformation, fraud, and quackery related to public health problems. ... Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a diverse set of medical and health care systems, practices, and products encompassing both complementary medicine and alternative medicine. ... Chiropractic, or chiropractic care, is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. ...

Further, Oral medication A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. ... The human musculoskeletal system is the musculoskeletal system that gives us the ability to move. ... Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a debilitating chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by diffuse and or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms. ... Tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis -- lat. ... A steroid is a lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings. ...

The NIH consensus statement summarizes: Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances to treat disease. ...

A note on scientific methodology and acupuncture

One of the major criticisms of studies which purport to find that acupuncture is anything more than a placebo is that most such studies are not (in the view of critics) properly conducted. Many are not double blinded and are not randomised. However, double-blinding is not a trivial issue in acupuncture: since acupuncture is a procedure and not a pill, it is difficult to design studies in which the person providing treatment is blinded as to the treatment being given. The same problem arises in double-blinding procedures used in biomedicine, including virtually all surgical procedures, dentistry, physical therapy, etc.; the NIH Consensus Statement notes such issues with regard to sham acupuncture, a technique often used in studies purporting to be double-blinded. See also Criticism of evidence-based medicine. Tonelli, a prominent critic of EBM, argues that complementary and alternative medicine can never be EBM-based [20]. This page is a candidate to be copied to Wiktionary using the Transwiki process. ... Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, recognizing that many long-established medical traditions are not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. ... Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a diverse set of medical and health care systems, practices, and products encompassing both complementary medicine and alternative medicine. ...

Risks

Because acupuncture needles penetrate the skin, many forms of acupuncture are invasive procedures, and therefore not without risk. However, injuries are rare among patients treated by trained practitioners. Forms of acupuncture such as the Japanese Tōyōhari and Shōnishin often use non-invasive techniques, in which specially-designed needles are rubbed or pressed against the skin. These methods are common in Japanese pediatric use The term invasive in Medicine has two meanings: A medical procedure which penetrates or breaks the skin or a body cavity, i. ... The term non-invasive in medicine has two meanings: A medical procedure which does not penetrate or break the skin or a body cavity, i. ...

Hematoma may result from accidental puncture of any circulatory structure. Nerve injury can result from the accidental puncture of any nerve. Brain damage or stroke is possible with very deep needling at the base of the skull. Also rare but possible is pneumothorax from deep needling into the lung, and kidney damage from deep needling in the low back. Needling over an occult sternal foramen (an undetectable hole in the breastbone which can occur in up to 10% of people) may result in a potentially fatal haemopericardium. Hematoma on an elbow, nine days after a blood sample was taken Hematoma on a forearm, one day after repeated shocks A hematoma, or haematoma, is a collection of blood, generally the result of hemorrhage. ... The circulatory system or cardiovascular system is the organ system which circulates blood around the body of most animals. ... Nerves (yellow) Nerves redirects here. ... Brain damage or brain injury is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. ... A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted. ... In medicine (pulmonology), a pneumothorax or collapsed lung is a medical emergency caused by the collapse of the lung within the chest cavity. ... The lungs flank the heart and great vessels in the chest cavity. ... Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed The kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. ...

Certain acupuncture points have been shown to stimulate the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and oxytocin; these points are contraindicated for use on pregnant women to avoid inducing abortion or harming the fetus.

Sometimes, when treating pain or using acupuncture as an anesthetic, a mild electrical current is applied to the needles. This stimulates the nerve cells in the area of the needles so that they become depleted of the chemicals needed to transmit signals. Prolonged stimulation of nerve cells in this way can cause irreversible damage ^{[citation needed]}.

The NIH consensus panel said: "Adverse side effects of acupuncture are extremely low and often lower than conventional treatments. [21].

Needles that are not properly sterilized can transfer diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Most acupuncturists in the USA use sterile one-time-use needles (rather than resterilizing needles after use). In 1996, the FDA 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 [22] [23]. Human immunodeficiency virus, commonly known by the initialism HIV, formerly known as HTLV-III and lymphadenopathy-associated virus, is a retrovirus that primarily infects vital components of the human immune system such as CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. ... Hepatitis is a gastroenterological disease, featuring inflammation of the liver. ... The United States Food and Drug Administration is the government agency responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics and blood products in the United States. ...

Contents