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 on acupuncture.

Updated January 2009

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Related HealthInsite Topics
Systematic Reviews of Acupuncture Treatments
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Links to systematic reviews of the evidence for the effectiveness of treatments using acupuncture.
10 Resources Found
Results 1 to 10 displayed.
Title:   Acupuncture
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin or applying various other techniques to the acupuncture points to restore balance and encourage the body to heal itself. Scientific studies have shown the potential for acupuncture to be effective in treating many disorders.
Date:   Jun 2009
Title:   Cancer pain management
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Cancer causes pain. Medication (drugs) for pain relief includes paracetamol, non-opioid (aspirin-like medications and others) and opioid drugs (codeine and morphine). Therapies such as meditation, massage, acupuncture and yoga may help. Managing pain can improve sleep, energy levels and quality of life. Radiation, surgery, hormone therapy and chemotherapy may also relieve pain.
Date:   Sep 2008
Title:   Pain management
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for longer than three months. Management strategies for chronic pain include medications, and therapies such as acupuncture, massage and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
Date:   Jul 2008
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 2008
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:   Medical acupuncture
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Information on medical acupuncture by professional medical specialists.
Date:   May 2008
Title:   Acupuncture - myDr.com.au
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:   Arthritis: physical therapies - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Physical therapies, such as physiotherapy and acupuncture, are offered as ways to relieve arthritis pain.
Date:   Aug 2006
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
Title:   Acupuncture needles - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Apart from the most common filiform needle there are a number of specialised acupuncture needles with specific uses.
Date:   Nov 2002
Results 1 to 10 displayed.