MODERN RESEARCH ON PAIN CONTROL BY ACUPUNCTURE

Over the past thirty years, both patients and professionals have been asking questions about how acupuncture works in a modern, scientific sense? What are the mechanisms? Is there any scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of acupuncture?

In order to reply to these questions, since the 1970s scientists and practitioners both in China and in other countries have been conducting a number of scientific studies and clinical trials, which are described in this section. This research has tended to substantiate the ancient theories of traditional Chinese medicine. Other recent research has revealed that human beings are complex bioelectric systems (Becker 1985),and on this basis the mechanics of acupuncture can now be better understood.

To date, a few theories have been suggested concerning these questions.