Instead, it is used mainly to control pain and symptoms of illnesses. In China and sometimes elsewhere, it is still used instead of drug or gas anesthesia during operations and major dental work. Patients feel no pain and are not groggy after their surgery. Compared to other alternative and complementary therapies, acupuncture has been studied carefully. Based on research supported by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies, it has been shown to be effective for nausea of pregnancy, postoperative nausea and vomiting, nausea and vomiting of chemotherapy, and postoperative dental pain.
Acupuncture involves the placement of hair-thin needles into the skin.
Ancient acupuncture needles were made of bone, stone, or metal, including silver and gold. Modern needles are made of stainless steel and they are disposable. The needles are placed just deep enough into the skin to keep them from falling out. Skilled acupuncturists can insert the needles painlessly. Most treatments require needles in only ten or twelve points, although more than a thousand are recognized.