Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic method with an established history of at least two thousand years. It originated in China, though it is almost certain that other countries gave birth to similar techniques. Therefore, the World Health Organization refers collectively to East Asian Medicine, with a common background, but also local differences. Besides, China, a vast country of more than one billion inhabitants, was hardly homogenous nationally, religiously, politically or socially. Only after 1949, a forceful homogenization was attempted, resulting in the so-called Traditional Chinese Medicine – TCM.
Nevertheless, Acupuncture whether Traditional Chinese or Western Scientific forms today part of the therapeutic armamentarium of 21st century medicine, despite the huge differences concerning its rationale or its proper use. Some use it as a modern panacea, trying to treat everything with acupuncture alone. Others consider it as just another technique for treating patients, usually on top of the available standard care, the mere definition of what “complementary” medicine really is.
Some accept the flow of Qi, the philosophical dualism of Yin-Yang, the existence of meridians and acupuncture points. Others are reluctant to accept anything that cannot be proven scientifically, according to the western definition of science.
Different acupuncture techniques always existed and will continue to exist. Whether globally applied acupuncture techniques are directly comparable is a huge question mark and possibly explains the confusion about acupuncture in official guidelines.
The most common indication for acupuncture in the West is pain, especially musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, acupuncture use in orthopedics is particularly significant and nowadays is considered as first-line treatment. In the case of simple low back pain, acupuncture is recommended, even before considering X-rays.
Evidence-based studies have shown that acupuncture is efficacious in cases of lower back, neck and knee pain, the very reasons why patients seek orthopedic care. Nevertheless, any Orthopedic Surgeon should always be on the lookout for other likely indications and possible use of acupuncture for his patients. A fine example of this may be the use of acupuncture in patients operated for knee and hip OA and presenting with persistent post-operative hiccups or singultus. It is extremely advantageous for any attending physician or surgeon to be able to offer instant and significant pain relief to his patients without the need of referring them to other health providers. It should also be remembered, that according to Greek laws and regulations, there are no Licensed Acupuncturists in Greece and acupuncture remains a strictly medical procedure, performed by doctors of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, with the appropriate training and expertise.