Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery.

The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electric stimulation.

Acupuncture needles are hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defective needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, non-toxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of needles used.

According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupunture, there have been many studies on acupunture’s potential usefulness, but results have been mixed because of complexitites with study design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using placebos or sham acupuncture. However, promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture, for example, in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are other situations – such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis. Low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. An NCCAM-funded study showed that acupuncture provides pain relief, improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, and serves as an effective complement to standard care. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture will also be useful.