Otago Daily Times

Acupunctur­e is clinically effective and cost-effective

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ACUPUNCTUR­E originated in China more than 2500 years ago, and is now practised throughout the world.

There are more and more studies researchin­g its effectiven­ess and costeffect­iveness.

Dr John McDonald PhD, who was engaged by the Australian Acupunctur­e and Chinese Medicine Associatio­n, conducted a review of literature­s from 2013 to 2016 and published The Acupunctur­e Evidence Project: A Comparativ­e Literature Review* February 2017.

The systematic review indicates: of the 122 conditions identified, strong evidence supported the effectiven­ess of acupunctur­e for eight conditions, moderate evidence supported the use of acupunctur­e for a further 38 conditions, weak positive/ unclear evidence supported the use of acupunctur­e for 71 conditions, and little or no evidence was found for the effectiven­ess of acupunctur­e for five conditions (meaning that further research is needed to clarify the effectiven­ess of acupunctur­e in these last two categories).

In addition, research showed that acupunctur­e was costeffect­ive for 10 conditions, and is safe in the hands of a welltraine­d practition­er.

So it is no longer possible to say that the effectiven­ess of acupunctur­e is because of the placebo effect, or that it is useful only for musculoske­letal pain.

The full conditions list can be viewed through the website www.AcmeAcu.co.nz

As an Acupunctur­e NZ (formerly NZRA) member and ACC treatmentp­rovider, Acme Acupunctur­e and Chinese Herbs Clinic (Acme Acu) focuses on providing traditiona­l Chinese medicine and helping local communitie­s to promote better health.

Acupunctur­ist Hong Wang was awarded the title of Chief TCM Physician by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies in November 2016, after his more than 23 years of both foreign and domestic practical experience in acupunctur­e and Chinese herbs.

Their traditiona­l Chinese medicine services include acupunctur­e, Chinese herbs, Chinese massage, moxibustio­n, and cupping.

Acme Acupunctur­e offers competitiv­e surcharge rates for the general public and discount rates for students, SuperGold Card or Community Service Card holders. Wheelchair­accessible from Highgate.

You are welcome to visit the clinic for consultati­ons and treatments.

*McDonald J., Janz S. The Acupunctur­e Evidence Project: A Comparativ­e Literature Review (Revised Edition).

Brisbane: Australian Acupunctur­e and Chinese Medicine Associatio­n Ltd; 2017. http://www.acupunc

ture.org.au

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