ACUPUNCTURE. A SCIENTIFIC APPRAISAL 1ed.

This thought-provoking new book on acupuncture provides a critical evaluation of the discipline, reviewing known facts, defining current knowledge gaps and formulating several interesting challenges for the future. Acupuncture: a scientific appraisal takes an evaluative approach, summarizing the evidence for acupuncture in an impartial way. An international team of specialist contributors brings a wide range of expertise to the book, drawing together different facets of research and clinical practice to provide a cohesive look at acupuncture today. Chinese acupuncture and Western acupuncture are both discussed, and the physiological effects, clinical effectiveness and safety of the therapy are each explored. The increasing integration of acupuncture into health care services in the west requires stringent criteria of efficacy, safety and cost in order to provide optimal benefit for patients, at minimal risk. All professionals involved in the delivery of healthcare will find this new book of great interest. The conclusions reached are neither simple nor uniform but should provide a focus for future debate. Fully referenced throughout, Acupuncture: a scientific uppraisal is an easily accessible, balanced source of information for all practitioners of acupuncture. Healthcare providers, complementary therapists and members of the primary healthcare team will also find this an invaluable purchase.