Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Traditional Chinese medicine is a pseudoscience because the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientific knowledge. There is a range of acupuncture variants which originated in different philosophies, and techniques vary depending on the country in which it is performed. It is most often used to attempt pain relief, though it is also recommended by acupuncturists for a wide range of other conditions. Acupuncture is generally used only in combination with other forms of treatment. 

The conclusions of numerous trials and systematic reviews of acupuncture are inconsistent, which suggests that it is not effective. An overview of Cochrane reviews found that acupuncture is not effective for a wide range of conditions. A systematic review conducted by medical scientists at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth found little evidence of acupuncture's effectiveness in treating pain. Overall, the evidence suggests that short-term treatment with acupuncture does not produce long-term benefits. Some research results suggest that acupuncture can alleviate some forms of pain, though the majority of research suggests that acupuncture's apparent effects are not caused by the treatment itself. A systematic review concluded that the analgesic effect of acupuncture seemed to lack clinical relevance and could not be clearly distinguished from bias. One meta-analysis found that acupuncture for chronic low back pain was cost-effective as an adjunct to standard care, while a separate systematic review found insufficient evidence for the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic low back pain. 

Acupuncture is generally safe when done by appropriately trained practitioners using clean needle technique and single-use needles. When properly delivered, it has a low rate of mostly minor adverse effects. Accidents and infections do occur, though, and are associated with neglect on the part of the practitioner, particularly in the application of sterile techniques. A review conducted in 2013 stated that reports of infection transmission increased significantly in the preceding decade. The most frequently reported adverse events were pneumothoraxand infections. Since serious adverse events continue to be reported, it is recommended that acupuncturists be trained sufficiently to reduce the risk. 

Scientific investigation has not found any histological or physiological evidence for traditional Chinese concepts such as qi, meridians, and acupuncture points, and many modern practitioners no longer support the existence of life force energy (qi) or meridians, which was a major part of early belief systems. Acupuncture is believed to have originated around 100 BC in China, around the time The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing) was published, though some experts suggest it could have been practiced earlier. Over time, conflicting claims and belief systems emerged about the effect of lunar, celestial and earthly cycles, yin and yang energies, and a body's "rhythm" on the effectiveness of treatment. Acupuncture fluctuated in popularity in China due to changes in the country's political leadership and the preferential use of rationalism or Western medicine. Acupuncture spread first to Korea in the 6th century AD, then to Japan through medical missionaries, and then to Europe, beginning with France. In the 20th century, as it spread to the United States and Western countries, spiritual elements of acupuncture that conflict with Western beliefs were sometimes abandoned in favor of simply tapping needles into acupuncture points. 

针灸
针灸其实是两个中医不同的治疗手段，即针法和灸法。
针法是指在中医理论的指导下把毫针刺入患者体内，运用适当的针刺手法来对人体穴位进行刺激从而达到治疗疾病的目的。灸法是以灸炷或灸草在体表一定的穴位上烧灼、熏熨，利用热的刺激来预防和治疗疾病，也称为艾灸。两者相辅相成，常一起使用。2006年中国中医科学院申报针灸经国务院列入第一批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。

针灸有什么作用？

针灸主要作用就是疏通经络，调和阴阳，扶正祛邪。针灸体现中医的“简、便、廉、效”，是根据中医经络理论辨证论治，找出问题所在，选出适合的穴位进行治疗，从而达到祛病的目的。如今针灸在世界范围内一百多个国家使用，继续为广大患者提供有效的绿色疗法。世界卫生组织也承认针灸为有效的医学辅助疗法，并列出了针灸治疗的优势病种有数十种，让针灸的疗效得到肯定。

针灸为什么会有效？
中医认为，气血为人体最基本的物质，是构成人体生命的根本。经络是气血运行的通道。如果气血不足或者气血运行受阻，势必影响经络不通及不荣，人体则会生病。针灸主要作用即是刺激经络穴位，使不通者通畅，使不荣者濡养，使气血调和，百病自消。

针灸会不会痛？

针刺会不会痛主要取决于患者体质、病情及医者的手法。假若患者紧张，肌肉绷紧，或者医者手法不熟练，针刺势必产生疼痛。其实只要医者将针刺入体表时透皮够快，针刺是可以达到无痛的。艾灸不会产生疼痛，患者通常会感觉艾灸处温暖舒服。

针灸安全吗？
在专业合格中医师的针刺操作下，针灸是非常安全、有效、绿色的治疗方法。