Acupuncture in general practice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many Australian general practitioners have embraced acupuncture as a viable modality in the treatment of a wide range of conditions commonly seen in general practice, especially those which do not respond to conventional therapy. Many practitioners, such as myself, have become convinced of the efficacy through personal experience. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews what acupuncture is and its place in the modern doctor's therapeutic armamentarium. DISCUSSION: A clinically attractive element in medical acupuncture, is that positive responses can be obtained without the use of drugs, and in the more chronic conditions, by significantly reducing the need for drugs. This elimination or reduction in the need for medication is very important to every doctor and patient, for reasons of dependence and side effects.