| About Acupuncture What Is Acupuncture? Is Acupuncture Right for Me? How Do I Choose? | Glossary Treatment Applications Types of Acupuncture Credentials |
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a medical practice based on the belief that ailments result from imbalances in the body. This discord in yin and yang—the forces that govern all aspects of life, including health—is caused by the disruption or blockage of energy, or chi. Acupuncturists stimulate points along energy pathways in the body using thin metal needles, massage, heat, lasers, and magnets. There are many forms of acupuncture, the most widely known of which is traditional Chinese acupuncture. Some acupuncturists are medical doctors, and some also have master's degrees in acupuncture.
Acupuncture became popular in the United States after President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, sparking widespread interest in traditional Chinese medicine. Today, millions of Americans undergo acupuncture procedures every year using techniques that were developed in China, Japan, and Korea. In 1996, acupuncture was recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a medical treatment when it is practiced by licensed professionals—and acupuncture needles, previously classified as "experimental devices," were bestowed the status of "medical tools." The FDA requires the use of sterile, nontoxic needles, and requires that they be used only once.
