Review Article

Acupuncture: A Clinical Review

Authors: Victor S. Sierpina, MD, Moshe A. Frenkel, MD

Abstract

This article summarizes the research base, probable mechanism of actions, and clinical applications of acupuncture. It offers the clinician a deeper understanding of appropriate conditions for which acupuncture may be useful, outlines how to integrate acupuncture into a clinical practice, and describes referral and training issues.


Key Points


* Basic theories of acupuncture from both traditional and scientific perspectives are reviewed.


* The reader is provided with information about indications for acupuncture.


* The acupuncture encounter is described.


* Safety and efficacy data on acupuncture are reviewed.


* An algorithm for the referral process to acupuncture is provided.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Ernst E. The Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Evidence Base Approach. New York, NY, Mosby, 2001.
 
2. Sierpina V. Alternative Systems of Care. Integrative Health Care: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for the Whole Person. Philadelphia, PA, FA Davis, 2001, pp 96–103.
 
3. Kaptchuk T. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. New York, NY, Congdon and Weed, 1983.
 
4. Eisenberg D, Wright TL, Benson H. Encounters with Qi: Exploring Chinese Medicine. New York, NY, WW Norton & Company, 1995.
 
5. Helms J. Acupuncture Energetics. Berkeley, CA, Medical Acupuncture Publishers, 1996.
 
6. Darras JC, Albaréde P, deVeernejoul P. Nuclear medicine investigation of transmission of acupuncture information. Acupunct Med 1993;11:22–28.
 
7. Cho ZH, Chung SC, Jones JP, et al. New findings of the correlation between acupoints and corresponding brain cortices using functional MRI. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1998;95:2670–2673.
 
8. Stux G, Pomeranz G. Scientific Basis of Acupuncture: Acupuncture Textbook and Atlas. New York, NY, Springer Verlag, 1987.
 
9. Rubik B. Can Western science provide a foundation for acupuncture? Altern Ther Health Med1995;1:41–47.
 
10. Helms J. An overview of medical acupuncture. Altern Ther Health Med 1998;4:35–45.
 
11. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture. Available at: http://tcm.health-info.org.
 
12. Filshie J, White A. Medical Acupuncture: A Western Scientific Approach. New York, NY, Churchill Livingstone, 1998.
 
13. Ulett G. Scientific acupuncture: peripheral electrical stimulation for the relief of pain, I: basics. Pain Manage 1989;May/June:128.
 
14. Ulett G. Scientific acupuncture: peripheral electrical stimulation for the relief of pain, II: clinical aspects. Pain Manage 1989;(July/August):186.
 
15. NIH Consensus Statement: Acupuncture. 1997;15:1–34. Available athttp://consensus.nih.gov/cons/107/107_intro.htm. Accessed October 12, 2004.
 
16. Streitberger K, Diefenbacher M, Bauer A. Acupuncture compared to placebo-acupuncture for postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis: a randomized placebo-controlled patient and observer blind trial. Anesthesia 2004;59:142–149.
 
17. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Available at:http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/_nccam. Accessed 4/28/2004.
 
18. World Health Organization list of common conditions treatable by Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Available at: http://tcm.health-info.org/WHO-treatment-list.htm. Accessed 12/1/2003.
 
19. American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. Available at: http://www.medicalacupuncture.org, Accessed October 12, 2004.
 
20. Eisenberg D. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998;280:1569–1575.
 
21. Frenkel M, Borkan J. An approach for integrating complementary-alternative medicine into primary care. Fam Pract 2003;20:324–332.
 
22. UTMB Alternative and Integrative Health Care Program. Available at: http://cam.utmb.edu.
 
23. Peuker E, White A, Ernst E, et al. Traumatic complications of acupuncture: therapists need to know human anatomy. Arch Fam Med 1999;8:553–558.
 
24. Ernst E. Life threatening adverse reactions after acupuncture? A systematic review. Pain1997;71:123–126.
 
25. White A, Hayhoe S, Hart A, et al. Adverse events following acupuncture: prospective survey of 32,000 consultations with doctors and physiotherapists. BMJ 2001;232:467–468.
 
26. National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Available at:http://www.nccaom.com. Accessed October 12, 2004.
 
27. Huang W, Wen K, Hsiao M. Adulteration by synthetic therapeutic substances of traditional Chinese Medicines in Taiwan. J Clin Pharmacol 1997;37:334–350.
 
28. Nasir L. Acupuncture in a university hospital: implications for an inpatient consulting service. Arch Fam Med. 1998;7:593–596.