First of all one should not have to choose between them. Acupuncture can be very effective as a compliment to "western" medical care. Many nationally known hospitals have acupuncture departments that work in conjunction with other departments to give the best care for their patients (ie. Memorial Sloan-Kettering). In addition, "western" medicine is more appropriate for certain medical conditions. One would not go to an acupuncturist for a gunshot wound, but after a surgeon removes the bullet and stops the bleeding one might benefit from acupuncture for pain management and healing. Some decisions such as trauma are obvious, but on other conditions it is up to the patient to make an informed decision on which treatment to pursue. Western medical science has made some wonderful leaps forward in the identification and treatment of disease, but many patients are dissatisfied with western medicine's tendency to use a compartmentalized approach to body systems, its over-reliance on pharmacological treatments, and the tendency to ignore the individuality of the patient. Oriental medicine maintains a whole body perspective that looks to restore a healthy balance within the patient's body. Acupuncture does not look to create sudden or extreme changes in the body, and although patients are often pleasantly surprised at the beneficial effects after just one or two treatments, it usually takes 3 or more treatments to make a substantial change. When herbal remedies are used these are also aimed at nudging the body systems back to a normal healthy balance. The acupuncturist treats each patient as an individual, and looks towards the improvement of their total health.