What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is when thin needles are put into certain places on the body. Acupuncture has been an important part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In modern times, other acupuncture methods have been discovered. The most common of these is “electroacupuncture,” which is when mild electrical pulses are passed through the acupuncture needles into the body. Doctors who treat patients with acupuncture are more likely to use electroacupuncture than acupuncturists who are not doctors.

How does it work?

Doctors aren't sure how acupuncture works. The traditional explanation is that acupuncture restores the normal flow of energy in the body.

Why do people have acupuncture?

Acupuncture is most often used to treat low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and nerve pain.

Does it work?

Many people with a painful condition will feel somewhat or even completely better after acupuncture. Some people do not respond to acupuncture at all, and others do not respond well enough to make it worth the time and expense.

You may need several treatments before you know whether acupuncture will help. If it does help, you will have more treatments until the pain is better. At that point, treatments can be spaced further and further apart. You may need treatments every so often to keep the pain from coming back.

Is acupuncture painful? Is it safe?

Acupuncture needles are very thin and have no cutting edge. This makes them much less painful than needles used to give shots. Once acupuncture needles are in place, you may not feel them, or you might feel only a mild ache.

Acupuncture is safe. Complications are very rare. Some people have minor side effects, such as a headache or feeling tired. Sometimes symptoms get worse before they get better.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

• Web site: http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

• Web site: http://www.nccaom.org/find/index.html