(ăk′ū-pŭngk″chūr)
[Pronunciation]
[L. acus, needle, + punctura, puncture]

A technique for treating painful conditions, producing regional anesthesia, treating acute or chronic illness, or preventing future disease by passing thin needles through the skin into specific points on the body.
The free ends of the needles are manually twirled, heated with burned mugwort (a technique called “moxa” or “moxibustion”), or connected to a weak electrical current. They are then typically left in place for about 20 minutes. Although in Asia and Europe acupuncture has a variety of uses, in the U.S. it is principally considered a treatment for local pain syndromes. It is often used in combination with other therapies, including but not limited to massage, meditation, and herbal remedies. Research suggests that acupuncture relieves pain by stimulating the release of endogenous opioids, other neurotransmitters including serotonin, and by directly affecting afferent nerve fibers. Acupuncture has also been found to be effective in veterinary applications. In the U.S., professional proficiency in acupuncture is attained by passing an examination administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

It is important that the acupuncturist use sterile or disposable needles and that care be taken to prevent puncturing adjacent organs.