Acupuncture is one of the oldest established medical techniques in the world. It first started when ancient warriors began to notice that although they were being wounded by enemy arrows the pain of long standing aches and pains no longer gave them so much trouble. They gradually learned how and where to prick themselves with arrows to get rid of their chronic pains. Eventually thin bronze needles were invented to replace the arrows and today acupuncture needles are made of very thin stainless steel or copper.

Sadly, there are still many sceptics in the medical establishment who refuse to accept acupuncture because it is not a part of orthodox medicine. However, acupuncture treatment is widely available and the World Health Organisation announced several years ago that it should be taken seriously. Acupuncture is available for free in the United Kingdom through the National Health Service.

There is a considerable amount of evidence available now to show that acupuncture can, and often does, work. And backache (together with other bone and joint disorders) is one of the problems which is most likely to be treated effectively.

Although a massive amount of research has been done to try to find out how acupuncture works there is still a considerable mystery about this. The Chinese traditionally believe that the body had as internal energy force called "chi" which flows around the body via a system of channels or meridians. Illness can be caused by one of the channels becoming blocked. They claim that acupuncture works by removing blockages through the insertion of needles into one or several of the 1000 acupuncture points around the body. This allows energy to travel more freely around the body. Other theories include those who believe that acupuncture may work by stimulating the patient's own body to produce endorphins - or natural, pain relieving hormones. A third group of scientists have suggested that acupuncture may work by blocking the pathways along which pain impulses are transmitted.

However acupuncture works there is no longer any doubt that it can, and frequently does, work.

It is however, important to make sure that you visit a properly trained acupuncture specialist for in the wrong hands acupuncture needles can undoubtedly be dangerous. Before commencing treatment a skilled acupuncturist should ask you about your symptoms and make a diagnosis in much the same way as an orthodox doctor would.