Acupuncture: a physician's primer, Part II.

Acupuncture is one of the alternative therapies that is quickly gaining popularity and acceptance among both patients and doctors. The NIH has recently supported its use for many conditions, either alone or as adjunctive therapy to conventional methods. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended acupuncture worldwide for several decades and for numerous additional conditions. However, all acupuncture is not the same; training, licensure and experience vary widely, and conventional research support is lacking, all contributing to the success or failure of acupuncture treatment. With proper use, acupuncture can be an effective treatment for a variety of medical conditions, but used incorrectly, it can be a waste of time and resources.