People use acupuncture for many different bodily illnesses, mental illnesses, and addiction problems. One expert states that it can be performed in numerous ways including using heat, pressure, friction, suction, and sending impulses of electromagnetic energy to specific anatomic points in the body, but most commonly performed using needles. (Cook, 1999)

Today there are many options when choosing an approach for improved health and health care. Not only are we making intense progress in modern medicines, but also the use of alternative medicines is widely increasing. One form of alternative medicine that is widely used today is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been a complete system of treatment for at leas

Not only has acupuncture made a difference in many medical cases, but has also began to cause positive change with many addition problems as well. Charles Vincent (2001) quotes, "Acupuncture is used in more than 20 states in over 800 drug dependency programs. Patients who go through these programs have lower re-arrest rates on drug-related charges than those not treated with acupuncture." Currently the U.S. Government sponsors the use of acupuncture in drug rehabilitation programs.

t two thousand years. First documented in ancient China, acupuncture over the past two thousand years, has continued to evolve and develop.

Acupuncture dates back over thousands of years ago. An internet information source says, "Some acupuncture needles date back 3,000 years and have been found in Inner Mongolia, (Ivillage, 2002)" but acupuncture can scientifically be traced back to B.C. times. An acupuncture expert, Kevin O'Neil (2001) states, "The history of acupuncture is much longer than the needles are. Most scholars agree that stone probes, found in pre-historic Chinese caves and tombs were the original acupuncture/acupressure instruments. Such stone probes date back to prehistory, over 5,000 years ago. Acupuncture using needles and the systemized meridians [though] is more traceable to the past 2000 years."

Every organ within the body has a yin and yang side. Some examples of yin and yang are....

Many people are unaware of what acupuncture really is. According to J.M. Helms (2001), "Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points." Acupuncture is performed with many different techniques, but Zoe Brenner (1997) states, "The healing technique of acupuncture is founded on the principle that internal harmony is essential for good health."

Here are a few cases that you may possibly relate to; studied by author of Thorston's Principles of Acupuncture, Angela Hicks (1997). Case number one starts with an older woman named Edna. Edna has constant pain in her right shoulder. This condition has made her feel that her life has become," [not] worth living." Just lifting her grandchildren is a difficult task. Secondly, we have Paul a fifty six year old gentleman that has severe migraines. Paul has tried homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy, and osteopathy and has experienced no improvement. Doctors have provided Paul with painkillers to try and dull the pain. Lastly, there is Marion, a forty eight year old full time nurse and student in college dealing with depression. Marion had felt that she had lost all of her confidence, and found herself consumed with worry about her classes. All three of these subjects have begun acupuncture treatments hoping to one-day return to their normal selves.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Acupuncture Imagine, Spleen Stomach, Lastly Marion, According CNN, Lower Upper, Humbolt University, OK Marion's, Kevin O'Neil, Oriental Medicine, Currently Government, yin yang, qi blood, oriental medicine, acupuncture needles, acupuncture treatments, hypodermic needles, vincent 2001, conventional medicine, health care, alternative medicine, helms 2001 acupuncture, blood yin yang, acupuncture oriental medicine,
Approximate Word count = 2062
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)