acupuncture

[n. ak-yoo-puhngk-cher; v. ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk-] /n. ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər; v. ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər, ˌæk yʊˈpʌŋk-/
noun
1.
a Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body.
verb (used with object), acupunctured, acupuncturing.
2.
to perform acupuncture on.
Origin of acupuncture
1675-85; < Latin acū with a needle (ablative of acus needle) or acu- (as combining form of acus) + puncture
Examples from the web for acupuncture
  • acupuncture is now a common alternative treatment for certain kinds of pain.
  • Broad anecdotal evidence suggests acupuncture can effectively treat a host of ailments in animals.
  • In mice, inserting and rotating acupuncture needles releases adenosine, which blocks pain signals.
  • The explanations for pressure points and acupuncture have a lot in common.
  • Some small studies have suggested that acupuncture may help in relieving depression.
  • Several reviews of clinical trials of acupuncture suggest that it may have some benefit for tension headache.
  • Choose treatments from acupuncture to aqua zen, or a facial to soothe parched skin.
  • acupuncture is an alternative treatment commonly used to relieve pain.
  • acupuncture has helped my chronic neck and back pain due a long-ago auto accident.
  • He took his weekly acupuncture treatment: needles in the ears or legs to relieve pain from tendinitis in his knees.
British Dictionary definitions for acupuncture

acupuncture

/ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃə/
noun
1.
the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses. Originally Chinese, this method of treatment is practised in many parts of the world Also called stylostixis
Derived Forms
acupunctural, adjective
acupuncturist, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin acus needle + puncture
Word Origin and History for acupuncture
n.

1680s, "pricking with a needle" to ease pain, from Latin acus "needle" (see acuity) + puncture. The verb is first recorded 1972.

acupuncture in Medicine

acupuncture ac·u·punc·ture (āk'yə-pŭngk'chər)
n.
A procedure in which specific body areas associated with peripheral nerves are pierced with fine needles to produce anesthesia, relieve pain, and promote therapy.

acupuncture in Science
acupuncture
  (āk'y-pŭngk'chər)   
The practice of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, treat a disease, or anesthetize a body part during surgery. Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.
acupuncture in Culture
acupuncture [(ak-yuh-pungk-chuhr)]

A technique, which originated in China, for curing disease, relieving pain, or bringing about partial anesthesia by inserting needles into the body at specific points.