Acupuncture falls under the general category of TCM. It is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 5,000 years ago, acupuncture began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his abdominal pain after surgery.

Research shows that acupuncture is beneficial in treating a variety of health conditions.

Acupuncture continues to grow in popularity in the United States. Millions of Americans are visiting acupuncturists each year, and acupuncture is being widely practiced by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists and other practitioners for relief or prevention of pain, and for various other health conditions.

TCM theorizes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, and that these connect with the 12 main and eight secondary pathways (called meridians). Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or qi, throughout the body. These meridians are stimulated or sedated through using small needles at specific points on the skin. These sites are determined based on whether there is a deficiency or excess of qi present at that meridian. Acupuncture is believed to balance yin and yang, keep the normal flow of energy unblocked, and maintain or restore health to the body and mind.