Acupuncture is used to treat pain from chronic and acute conditions. It is a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Today, acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures. Although it originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, it did not gain widespread recognition in the United Stated until the 1970s.

TCM is a system of medicine in which the body is seen as a balance of two opposing forces – yin and yang. The balance between yin (the cold, slow or passive principle) and yang (the hot, excited or active principle) controls the flow of qi (pronounced “chee” and sometimes spelled “chi”). Qi is the vital energy or life force responsible for a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. When the internal balance of yin and yang is disrupted, the imbalance leads to blockage of qi. According to Chinese theory, blockage of qi results in illness or pain.  

Qi flows through energy pathways (meridians) in the body. There are about 12 main meridians and eight secondary meridians in the body. Each meridian is believed to correspond to one specific organ or group of organs.

The theory behind acupuncture is that stimulating specific points along the meridians where the energy pathway is close to the skin can correct the flow of qi. Ultimately this restores health and relieves pain, according to adherents. It is believed that there are more than 200 of these acupuncture points on the body.

There are a number of techniques used to stimulate acupuncture points. The most commonly used form of acupuncture involves the placement of hair-thin, solid, metallic needles at specific locations on the skin. Acupuncture points can also be stimulated with pressure (acupressure), laser, ultrasound, heat (thermotherapy) or electricity.

In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed professionals. Although the use of acupuncture needles has gained approval in the United States and studies have documented the procedure’s effects, researchers have been unable to explain the effectiveness of acupuncture within the framework of conventional medicine. Theories include:

• Stimulation of the central nervous system. Acupuncture may stimulate the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to release neurotransmitters and neurohormones. These substances activate the body’s natural healing process.
  
  
• Release of natural opioids. Acupuncture may trigger the release of endorphins, a chemical component of the body’s natural pain control system. It may also cause the release of immune system cells at specific areas of the body.
  
  
• Changes in body function. Changes occurring in the central nervous system as the result of acupuncture may alter the regulation of blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature.

Many studies on acupuncture have been done. They are often hampered by study size and design but have shown promising results in treating conditions such as postoperative dental pain and nausea and vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Several studies have indicated that, along with traditional acupuncture, “sham” or “minimal” acupuncture (superficial insertion of needles at non-acupuncture points) can be effective in easing conditions such as tension headaches and migraines. Some research suggests that a positive response to sham acupuncture may be a placebo effect, meaning patients feel better because they want to believe the treatment has helped them.

According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, the most recently available to include information about acupuncture, about 8.2 million American adults have had acupuncture. Of these patients, about 2.1 million had used acupuncture in the previous year. The U.S. government does not yet offer more recent statistics on use of acupuncture but notes that interest is growing. A number of variations on acupuncture have been performed within the United States even though the scientific rationale behind the practice still needs to be established.

Acupuncture may be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with pain medication or other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy or manipulation therapy. Patients interested in pursuing acupuncture as a treatment option are encouraged to discuss the method with their physician. Physicians will evaluate the patient’s medical history and current condition to determine whether acupuncture is a suitable form of treatment.