Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that originated thousands of years ago. It is based on the premise that a blockage or disturbance in the flow of the body's life energy, or “qi,” can cause health issues. Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles to specific acupuncture points throughout the body to restore the flow of qi, balance the body’s energy, stimulate healing, and promote relaxation.
In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed a number of conditions in which they say acupuncture has been proven effective.
These include:
-
high and low blood pressure
-
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
-
some gastric conditions, including peptic ulcer
-
painful periods
-
facial pain
-
sprains
-
dental pain
-
reducing the risk of stroke
-
inducing labor
Other conditions for which the WHO say that acupuncture may help but more evidence is needed include:
-
neuralgia
-
post-operative convalescence
-
substance, tobacco and alcohol dependence
-
spine pain
-
stiff neck
-
vascular dementia
-
whooping cough, or pertussis
-
Tourette syndrome