These days acupuncture is widely accepted all over the world and is practised by many Doctors. Some acupuncture needles dating back 3,000 years have been found in Inner Mongolia. In the 17th century Doctors and missionaries brought acupuncture to Europe. Many western Doctors have studied acupuncture and now use this practise to supplement conventional treatment in hospitals and clinics. The use of acupuncture in anaesthesia is mainly confinec to China.
Acupuncture is in fact an element within the traditional Chinese medicine health system.
A large amount of scientific evidence now excists to support the use of acupuncture. The World Health Organization has found over forty conditions treatable by acupuncture. In 1992 a Spanish study showed radioactive tracers injected at acupoints seemed to travel along similar pathways to meridians. This has lead to theories of a system of infomation transmission linked to neurochemicals. Some Doctors believe acupuncture may work by releasing pain killing endorphins.