Traditional and Evidence-Based Acupuncture: History, Mechanisms, and Present Status

BACKGROUND: In 1983, the Southern Medical Journal advised its readers that a scientific basis might underlie the popular practice of ancient Chinese acupuncture. Recent studies have proven this to be correct, and a 1997 National Institutes of Health consensus panel recommended acupuncture as a useful clinical procedure. METHODS: Pertinent articles in the literature were reviewed, including our own research. Significantly, we had access to recent important studies from China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most of the 10,000 acupuncturists in the country today practice metaphysically explained "meridian theory" acupuncture using needles to supposedly remove blockages of a hypothesized substance "Qi." Scientific research has shown that healing is not by manipulating Qi but rather by neuroelectric stimulation for the gene expression of neuropeptides. Needles are not necessary. Evidence-based neuroelectric acupuncture requires no metaphysical rituals. It is a simple, useful clinical tool for pain modulation and other conditions and can be easily taught to physicians.