Acupuncture is an ancient system of natural medicine developed in China over 4,000 years. It centers primarily on the concept of maintaining the proper flow of energy (Qi) through the body. This is achieved through the stimulating certain points in the body by the insertion of very fine needles. The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques.

American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. This may be combined with heat, mild electrical stimulation, massage and herbal medicines.

In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that 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.