What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the process of inserting small needles at precise acupuncture points to promote healing. A 2007 National Health Interview Survey reported that 1.4 percent of Americans had used acupuncture treatments in the past year.

History

• Acupuncture has been performed for thousands of years. According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture helps adjust and stabilize the flow of qi, or energy, throughout the body. Disruptions of qi contribute to disease.

Scientific Perspective

• According to current medical science, acupuncture works by triggering the release of chemicals that can affect your experience of pain.

Benefits

• Acupuncture is commonly used to manage pain. People seek acupuncture to relieve back pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, joint pain, neck pain and fibromyalgia.

Chemotherapy

• Acupuncture has also been demonstrated to be effective at alleviating side effects of chemotherapy, like nausea and vomiting.

Fun Fact

• Acupuncture can also be used to treat animals, including dogs, cats and horses.