Western medical acupuncture is an alternative medicine that involves inserting fine needles under the skin; it is a modern adaptation of traditional Chinese acupuncture that seeks to apply ancient techniques to scientific knowledge of the body, in accordance with the principles of evidence based medicine.
Western medical acupuncture evolved from Chinese acupuncture, but its practitioners no longer adhere to pseudo-scientific concepts such as Yin/Yang, meridians, and circulation of qi. Western medical acupuncturists view their science as part of conventional medicine.
Medical acupuncture can be used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial trigger point pain, and is also effective for postoperative pain and nausea.
