Osteoarthritis of the knee Researchers from Maryland University, who studied 570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, concluded in a good-quality clinical trial that acupuncture relieved pain for 40 per cent of sufferers. (BAcC Newsletter, February 2005)

Acupuncture works through the nervous system and energy channels in the body and has also been shown to cause the brain to release endorphins and encephalins (natural pain killers), boost the immune system and calm the nervous system. It has also been established that all psycho-physiological health problems are particularly suitable for acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture and IBS Acupuncture has traditionally been successfully employed in China to treat most illnesses. There is little doubt that acupuncture is an excellent therapy for people suffering with irritable bowel syndrome; in 1979 the World Health organisation listed 40 major diseases that could find relief by acupuncture treatment and diseases of the intestinal tract including irritable bowel syndrome were included in that number. (Dr S Fulde, The Handbook of Complementary Medicine, Coronet books)

There have been numerous controlled studies confirming that acupuncture is effective in treating cardiovascular disease patients. Acupuncture has been shown to exert significant effects on the cardiovascular system and provide effective treatment for a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases including arteriosclerosis (especially where coronary arteries are affected causing angina). Doctors have also reported tremendous success with acupuncture treatment of migraine headaches. In contrast to drugs, acupuncture treatment seems to be very effective in preventing the attacks from ever occurring or rendering them much less severe when they do hit. (www.internethealthlibrary.com)