Acupuncture

Acupuncture is another form of treatment with roots going back thousands of years. The practice originated in China.

Treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into the skin of the patient along what are known as "meridians", which bear no relationship to recognized nerve tracks.

Application of the needles reduces pain considerably, sometimes to the extent that surgery can be carried out without the patient experiencing discomfort.

Although for many years it was assumed by western doctors that the effect was purely psychological, acupuncture appears to have definite analgesic properties in animals, rather giving the lie to the "purely psychological" claim.