Acupuncture A Scientific Appraisal

This thought provoking new book on acupuncture provides a critical evaluation of the discipline, reviewing know facts, defining current knowledge gaps and formulating several interesting challenges in the future. This book takes on an evaluative approach, summarizing the evidence for acupuncture in an impartial way. An international team of specialist contributors brings a wide range of expertise to the book, drawing together different facets of research and clinical practice to provide a cohesive look at acupuncture today. Chinese acupuncture and Western acupuncture are both discussed, and the physiological effects, clinical effectiveness and safety of the therapy are each explored. The increasing integration of acupuncture into health care services in the west requires stringent criteria of efficacy, safety and cost in order to provide optimal benefit for patients, at minimal risk. All professionals involved in the delivery of healthcare will find this new book of great interest. The conclusions reached are neither simple nor uniform but should provide a focus for future debate.

Feature:
Examines acupuncture's possible mechanisms of action.
Contains chapters on both Eastern and Western approaches.
Reviews the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture.
Provides in-depth coverage of safety aspects has internationally recognised authors.
Reflects the cutting edge of current thought and research.

Contents:
Introduction; History, nature and current practice of acupuncture: an East Asian perspective; Western medical acupuncture; Neurophysiology of acupuncture analgesia; Effects of sensory stimulation (acupuncture) on circulatory and immune systems; Clinical effectiveness of acupuncture; an overview of systematic reviews; Adverse effects of acupuncture; Conclusion; Index.