Acupuncture: The Historical Basis and Its US Practitioners

Abstract

Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique that has been used in China for at least 4,500 years. Recently, it has gained rapid acceptance by the US public. During the past decade, scientific studies have been published in the Western medical literature that suggest a biological basis for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Published clinical studies also confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of many different illnesses. This article, the first of two about acupuncture, will explore the historical basis of this medical practice and describe the various types of acupuncturists in the United States