Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used alternative or ‘complimentary medical’ procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture became widely known in the United States in the 1970s. Studies have documented acupuncture’s effects, but they have not been able to fully explain how acupuncture works.
Lifestyle, age, physiology and other factors combine to make every person different. A treatment that works for one person may not work for another who has the same condition. You, as a health care consumer (especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition) should discuss acupuncture with your doctor. Do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncturist who does not have substantial conventional medical training. If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor and have had little or no success using conventional medicine, you may wish to ask your doctor whether acupuncture might help.