Acupuncture
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH – Internal Medicine
Acupuncture is a treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese acupuncture usually is done by putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body to produce energy flow along the body’s meridians; other types of acupuncture may use heat, pressure, or mild electrical current to…
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH - Internal Medicine
04/09/2019
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Acupuncture is a treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese acupuncture usually is done by putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body to produce energy flow along the body’s meridians; other types of acupuncture may use heat, pressure, or mild electrical current to stimulate energy flow along these meridians.
Some people may use acupuncture to treat substance use disorder, fibromyalgia, back pain, and many other conditions. There is some evidence that acupuncture may stimulate the production of the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins, serotonin, and acetylcholine).
In general, acupuncture is safe when done by a certified acupuncturist. A state license ensures that the acupuncturist has a certain level of training and follows certain practice guidelines, such as using sterilized needles that are disposed of after one use. In the United States, acupuncture needles are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as therapeutic devices.
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH – Internal Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH - Internal Medicine
04/09/2019
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.