Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting small needles into various points, "acupoints", in the body to stimulate nerve impulses.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture is based on the idea of 'qi' (vital energy) which is said to travel around the body along 'meridians' which the acupuncture points affect.

Western acupuncture uses the same needling technique, but is based on affecting nerve impulses and the central nervous system, and can also include the use of herbs, electricity, magnets and lasers.

Follow the links below to find information relating to acupuncture.

Updated November 2007

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Related HealthInsite Topics

Systematic Reviews of Acupuncture Treatments
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to systematic reviews of the evidence for the effectiveness of treatments using acupuncture.

9 Resources Found
Results 1 to 9 displayed.

Title:   Acupuncture
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine. Needles are inserted into specific points on the skin, or other techniques are used on acupuncture points. Studies show acupuncture is effective at treating disorders including digestive, emotional, gyaecological and respiratory conditions.
Date:   May 2007

Title:   Acupuncture - safety and legal issues
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Acupuncture is effective and safe if performed by a skilled practitioner. An unskilled person may cause problems including allergic reactions, infection and injury. When choosing a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), check their qualifications and association membership.
Date:   Jun 2007

Title:   Acupuncture
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing that was developed as part of the traditional medicine of China, Japan and other Eastern countries.
Date:   Aug 2006

Title:   Acupuncture needles
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Apart from the most common filiform needle there are a number of specialised acupuncture needles with specific uses.
Date:   Nov 2002

Title:   Pain management
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for longer than three months. At any given time, around one third of Australians are in pain. Management strategies for chronic pain include medications, and therapies such as acupuncture.
Date:   Jul 2007

Title:   Arthritis: physical therapies
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Physical therapies, such as physiotherapy and acupuncture, are offered as ways to relieve arthritis pain.
Date:   Aug 2006

Title:   Cancer pain management
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   The pain of cancer is usually constant. The foundation of pain management is regular medication, including paracetamol, non-opioid (aspirin-like medications and others) and opioid drugs. Relaxation therapies - such as meditation, massage and yoga - may be helpful to relieve pain-related stress.
Date:   Sep 2007

Title:   Natural therapies
Publisher:   InfraPsych
Description:   Often referred to as 'complementary' or 'alternative' medicine, natural therapy is a popular system of health care used separately to, or in conjunction with, conventional medicine.
Date:   Jun 2008

Title:   Acute pain management: scientific evidence
Publisher:   National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Description:   This publication summarises the evidence currently available to assist health professionals in the management of acute pain. The field of acute pain medicine is a rapidly changing one.
Date:   Jun 2005
Results 1 to 9 displayed.