acupuncture

[ noun ak-yoo-puhngk-cher; verb ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk- ]

noun

1. a Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body.

verb (used with object)

, ac·u·punc·tured, ac·u·punc·tur·ing.

1. to perform acupuncture on.

acupuncture

/ ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃə /

noun

1. the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses. Originally Chinese, this method of treatment is practised in many parts of the world Also calledstylostixis

acupuncture

/ ăk′y-pŭngk′chər /

1. The practice of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, treat a disease, or anesthetize a body part during surgery. Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.

acupuncture

1. A technique, which originated in China , for curing disease, relieving pain, or bringing about partial anesthesia by inserting needles into the body at specific points.

Derived Forms

• ˈacuˌpuncturist, noun
• ˈacuˌpunctural, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acupuncture¹

1675–85; < Latin acū with a needle (ablative of acus needle) or acu- (as combining form of acus ) + puncture

Word History and Origins

Origin of acupuncture¹

C17: from Latin acus needle + puncture

Example Sentences

Some potential directions for future studies include studying how acupuncture may affect hormonal regulation, such as alleviating hot flashes in menopause or addressing menstrual irregularity.

From Time

I only considered acupuncture to knock it off the list of possibilities.

From Time

That might include controlling pain management with CBD or medical marijuana, or trying acupuncture and mind-body interventions.

From Time

While he allows that the practice may “desensitize” people to discomfort in ways that may lessen the burden of asthma, he says the research to date does not support acupuncture for the treatment of severe asthma.

From Time

It’s hard to say how these results translate to traditional acupuncture, which doesn’t have the electrical stimulation aspect.

From Singularity Hub 

They suggest acupuncture and counseling to work on these deeper issues.

From The Daily Beast

Acupuncture increases fertility: Probably false, but unknown.

From The Daily Beast

Stories abound online of women who tried acupuncture and finally got pregnant.

From The Daily Beast

Most recently I tried acupuncture, Chinese herbs, raw apple cider vinegar, and chamomile tea.

From The Daily Beast

Eventually, I got some relief from expensive acupuncture appointments.

From The Daily Beast

Acupuncture, ak-ū-pungkt′ūr, n. an operation for relieving pain by puncturing the flesh with needles.

From Project Gutenberg

Chinatown—Interesting Chinese businesses from herb shops to acupuncture clinics.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides composing some mediocre poetry, Yang Hsiung wrote on acupuncture, music, and philology.

From Project Gutenberg

Needling or acupuncture consists in piercing the nerve at intervals in the buttock and thigh with long steel needles.

From Project Gutenberg

It borrowed acupuncture and the moxa from the Japanese heathen, and was taught the use of lobelia by the American savage.

From Project Gutenberg