Acupuncture is taught in various levels of detail in medical schools in China. In western medical circles, acupuncture is best recognized for it's role in pain management. It may be effective as the only treatment against pain, or as part of a program involving other approaches as well. Types of pain that seem to respond especially well to acupuncture include back, neck, facial, muscular, and shoulder pain, sciatica, some types of arthritis, and headaches. Some forms of abdominal pain, pelvic and menstrual pain, nerve pain, and scar pain, may also respond.
Research also looks promising regarding the use of acupuncture to treat asthma and nausea.
Other conditions in which acupuncture has been studied with good results, include cardiac disease, genitourinary problems, and neurologic disorders including stroke and head injury. Research recognizes the utility of acupuncture in the treatment of several other medical conditions including respiratory and digestive disorders. Psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety may also be suitable for treatment. Certain urinary and neurological conditions also have been shown to respond. There are probably several mechanisms of action of acupuncture.