What is acupuncture? Practitioners use acupuncture treatment – a
traditional Chinese medicine – by inserting thin, sterile
needles at specific points on the body to treat pain, facilitate
healing and promote physical and mental well-being. Acupuncture
stimulates energy channels on the body – called Qi – that are
considered pathways for vital energy. The points where the
needles are inserted correspond to these energy channels, also
called meridians. The number of meridians is not precisely known
– some experts claim there are 14 main channels with 2,000
acupuncture points, while others claim up to 20 meridians.
According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, an
estimated 3.1 million adults and 150,000 children in the United
States used acupuncture the previous year. What should I be
aware of if I undergo acupuncture? Tell your whole team of
health care providers – including primary care physicians – if
you plan to seek acupuncture treatment or are undergoing
acupuncture. This helps achieve safer, coor