This brochure was prepared to help answer common questions about acupuncture. Acupuncture uses specially placed thin needles to enhance the natural healing ability of the body.
Acupuncture needles are about half the size of the smallest sized needles used for injection.
In contrast to a needle used for injection, which is hollow with a cutting tip, an acupuncture needle is solid and smooth. The Food and Drug Administration considers acupuncture needles to be legitimate medical instruments. The National Institute of Health has endorsed the use of acupuncture for many conditions , states that acupuncture is no less effective than many other modalities offered for various conditions, and has a low risk profile. Acupuncture has developed in many countries, over many centuries, with many different technique styles evolving. No single method is superior, though different styles may better suit different patients or different problems.