Acupuncture and its Effects on Chronic Pain

Abstract

Acupuncture is an complementary form of medicine that has relatively recently become a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It involves the application of thin needles at specific points throughout the body, although initially, general areas instead of points were used. There are estimated to be about 395 different points that can be utilized, and the technique behind using these points can vary widely between practitioners. In addition to acupuncture points, TCM is said to use meridians or pathways along with qi, or energy flows. In terms of acupunctures’ utility, it has been known to treat a variety of ailments ranging from pain and headaches to sleep disturbances, but it's true benefits continue to be questioned. To date, thousands of studies have been performed in regards to its efficacy with varying conclusions. Once considered to be “pseudomedicine”, this ancient technique has been found to provide long-term benefits for patients with chronic pain. This manuscript aims at providing a brief history of acupuncture and examines studies in favor of its relief of chronic pain.