Acupuncture is defined as the "art of healing by the inserting of needles into specific points of the body for therapeutic purposes" (Weiss 70). Needles that are slightly larger than a strand of hair are inserted into different points depending on the specific problem of the patient. The needle is placed in the skin at a certain angle with a particular motion, usually about a quarter inch deep. They are then twirled and sometimes topped with Chinese herbs, which are burned (Abrams 103). Acupuncture is also occasionally combined with electrical stimulation that is supposed to enhance the effects of acupuncture (Consumer 54). Patients that have experienced the treatment claim that acupuncture "is less painful than getting a shot or having blood drawn because th

Like many medical procedures, acupuncture is still being analyzed from every aspect. Proponents claim that it is a useful alternative that deserves a chance to prove itself. It is a useful treatment with minimal risks and a long tradition of success dating back over 5,000 years. Others contend that there are too many adverse effects and that there is no validity in its results. This debate still continues and will not be resolved in any time soon.

Another risk involves the possibility of puncturing a major organ such as the lungs, bladder, or heart. One woman actually died after an acupuncture needle went through her chest plate and punctured her heart. Halvorsen concludes that because of this risk, acupuncture is an "unproven treatment with potential harm and even death" (1175).

e needles are so thin" (Weiss 73).

An additional danger is the possibility of catching a disease from the needles. Most acupuncturists use disposables, but sometimes they use the same needles for the same patient on different visits. "This practice still increases the risk of contracting a disease" (Consumer 56).

Much research has been done to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture. According to a study involving 575 patients, "91.5 percent reported disappearance or improvement in symptoms, 84 percent see their MDs less, 79 percent use fewer prescription drugs, and 70 percent avoided recommended surgery" (Weiss 74). Another study involving women with a long history of menstrual cramps was also done. Ten eleven women reported 5

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