Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• Abdominal cluster needling, acupoint, acupressure, acupuncture point stimulation, acustimulation, auricular acupuncture, auriculotherapy, back shu-points, Baihui, Bingfeng, BL58, BL67, body-acupuncture, brain-resuscitation acupuncture, centro-square needling, chi, chronopuncture, Chung Chi, Ciliao, classical balance method, computer-controlled electroacupuncture, conscious restoring resuscitation method, cranial needling, CV3, CV4, De Qi, Dicang, Diji, ear acupuncture, electroacupuncture, electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV), electroacupuncture-anesthesia-devise (EAAD), energy medicine, ethnic traditional Chinese medicine, eye acupuncture, eye needling, filiform needle acupuncture, French acupuncture, French energetic acupuncture, Ganshu, GB8, GB14, GB44, Guanyuan, GV20, GV21, H9, hand acupuncture, Han's acupoint nerve stimulator (HANS), Hegu, hot red needle therapy, HT7, intradermal acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, Japanese meridian, Jiache, Jiafeng, Jingmen, K1, K7, Kaiyin point No. 1, Korean acupuncture, Korean hand acupuncture, Kuan Yuan, laser acupuncture, laser acupuncture therapy, LI1, LI4, LI11, LI20, long needle retention, low level laser acupuncture, LU9, LU11, manual acupuncture, manual stimulation of needles, Matsumoto, medical acupuncture, meridian, motortherapy, moxibustion, myofascial acupuncture, Neiguan, nei-quan, neural therapy, otopuncture, P6 point, P9, PC6, Pishu, point injection, Qi, Qimen, reflexotherapy, Ren17, Ryodoraku, Sanyinjiao, scalp acupuncture, seed, sham acupuncture, sham laser acupuncture, Shaoze, shen-men, Shenshu, shonishin, Shu-Mu points, SI1, SI4, SJ5, somatic acupuncture, SP1, SP6, sphenopalatine ganglion, ST2, ST36, ST40, ST45, superficial dry needling, Taiyang, TB1, tendon muscle picking, thunder fire miraculous needling, "ti qi tiao xue, fu ben pei, yuan' acupuncture, Tongnao Huoluo acupuncture (TNHLA), tongue acupuncture, traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), transcutaneous nerve stimulation, trigger point acupuncture, triple needling, Tzu Liao, UB2, UB32, verum acupuncture, Vietnamese acupuncture, warm reinforcing needling, Weiwanxiashu of Gliguidon, Weizhong, Western acupuncture, wrist-ankle acupuncture, Xiajuxu, Xinshu, Yangbai, Yanglingquan, Zhangmen, Zhongji, Zhuya Tongfu (ZYTF), Zusanli points.
• Related techniques not discussed in this monograph: Acupressure, acustimulation, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ReliefBand®, shiatsu, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) .
• Note: In normal office practice, acupuncture is commonly used in combination with some of the above techniques. Studies that employ additional techniques are noted as such. However, the focus of this monograph is on acupuncture itself. Separate Natural Standard monographs for related modalities are available on www.naturalstandard.com.

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• The practice of acupuncture originated in China 5,000 years ago. Today, acupuncture is widely used throughout the world and is one of the main pillars of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture has gained popularity within Western medicine as well and is often referred to as medical acupuncture in that context. Aside from needles, other methods of stimulation are also considered forms of acupuncture. These include use of heat from the burning of herbs placed on acupuncture targets (moxibustion) and the placement of herbal pastes on specific points.
• Based on acupuncture's long history of use as well as the available research, both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified many conditions for which it may be recommended. There is reasonable scientific evidence supporting acupuncture for several indications, including various types of pain and several types of nausea and vomiting. A number of other indications have been investigated, but there is a lack adequate evidence to recommend for or against use at this time for those indications. In some cases, this is due to methodological challenges inherent to acupuncture trials, such as placebo control and blinding. Other challenges include the diversity of approaches, the practice of individualizing treatment for each patient, and differing skill levels among practitioners. However, the body of trial data for acupuncture continues to grow, with innovative approaches to these methodological quandaries.
• Adverse effects due to improper sterilization and disposing of needles can lead to infection or cross-transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. Mild side effects, including bleeding or bruising at needles sites, fainting, and nausea, may also occur. Complications, including bent or broken needles, typically occur due to improper technique or poor quality needles.

Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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