Critical Reviews™ in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

ISSN for PRINT: 0896-2960

For Online Access

2005, Volume17

Issue 4

90 pages

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.v17.i4

Issue price - $163.00

Jill A. Castro, MD
Colorado Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine, 9351 Grant, Suite 100, Thornton, CO 80229

Over the years, acupuncture has become one of the most extensively used treatments in the ever-growing field of complementary and alternative medicine. It is composed of many facets that have been modified and mixed over time to become what, in the West, is now termed "medical acupuncture." Oftentimes, medicine is referred to as an art and a science. Acupuncture has, for the most part, been considered an artful form of treatment; yet more and more evidence is emerging to demonstrate its physiologic mechanism of action, as well as its efficacy in treating a variety of medical problems. This review covers some of the latest research that is ongoing, both in the private community and at the NIH with government-sponsored clinical trials. The most common conditions studied include neck and back pain, headache, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and other areas of musculoskeletal dysfunction. In the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, acupuncture has great potential for use in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. From problems ranging from myofascial pain and overuse to complicated spinal cord injury, acupuncture can certainly complement traditional medical treatments and help lead to improved function, which is a primary goal in the physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) field.

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.v17.i4.40 Download article, 301-316 pages

Article price - $35.00

<< Previous article   Next article >>