Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Overview

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) together form a comprehensive system of healthcare developed over thousands of years in China and built around the concept of a vital energy, known as qi, that is held to flow through channels in the body. Acupuncture is one of its best-known modalities, involving the insertion of fine, sterile needles at specific points along these channels with the aim of restoring balance and easing symptoms, and it is often accompanied by related techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, and acupressure. The broader TCM tradition also includes herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and movement and breathing practices, all framed within its own theories of physiology and pathology. In contemporary practice and research, acupuncture and TCM are studied as complementary and integrative approaches, with investigators examining their use for pain, stress, and a range of chronic conditions, as well as their proposed physiological mechanisms. As a focus within alternative medicine and mind-body practices, this field sits at the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern scientific evaluation. This page presents an encyclopedic overview of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, their principles, and their place among complementary and integrative health practices.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.

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