Features the writing of George T. Lewith (MA, MRCGP, MRCP) on Acupuncture. The sections comprize a virtual on-line book on acupuncture and are possibly the most complete source of information on the WWW.

Sections include: Understanding Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine; Introduction to Acupuncture; History of Acupuncture (Eastern & Western); Modern Acupuncture Techniques; Conditions Benefitted by Acupuncture; and Special Topics

The section on conditions benefited by acupuncture is particularly useful: www.healthy.net/LIBRARY/Books/Acupuncture/ACUPUN4.HTM

The usual cautions apply to the use of this material. For example, Lewith's discussion of strokes and acupuncture doesn't include recent findings (1991) regarding the role of excessive glutamate neurotransmitter in the neuronal damage associated with strokes.

The most engaging aspect of this site is its even-handed and no-nonsense treatment of Eastern and Western approaches to therapy.

Quantity
Quality
Presentation

URL: www.healthy.net/clinic/therapy/acupuncture/index.html

Neck and neck with the Health Net site as the best we've found for online explorations of acupuncture, which also features information on other traditional oriental therapies. The focus here is on Chinese acupuncture. Each section contains Consumer, Student, and Practitioner-level information.

Consumer-level information focuses on the use of acupuncture for conditions such as Varicose Veins, Gynecology, Pre-menstrual Syndrome (P.M.S.), Infertility, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (I.B.S.), Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (RSI, CPS), and Drug, Alcohol, Nicotine Addictions. Also includes articles such as "Statistical Results of Acupuncture, Some Thoughts on Efficacy Beyond the Placebo Effect," An Introduction to Qi Energy and Other Concepts, and scientific explanations of how accupuncture works.

Student Level Information includes: Zang-Fu differentiations, organized by Symptoms (61k); How to Chose Acupoints; The Root, Branch and Smell of AIDS; The Twelve Primary Meridians, their Functions and Acupoint Charts; The Eight Extraordinary Meridians, their Functions and Acupoint Charts

Practitioner Level Information includes: Treatment Protocols and Principles: (Obstetrics, Meniére's Disease, Acne, Auriculotherapy Addiction Therapy - with Point Charts, Smoking Cessation, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Weight Loss, Acupuncture Detoxification (NADA), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (an article by Dr. Margaret A. Naeser), Blood Disorders, Diabetes Mellitus, Eye Diseases, Ulcerative Colitis Cancer.

There is also an informative article, "How Does Acupuncture Work?" submitted by the Chinese Pain Center. The list of insurance companies that cover acupuncture is also a valuable resource.

Quantity
Quality
Presentation

URL: http://www.acupuncture.com

Provides answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" about acupuncture, as well as a large number of useful articles on general information about acupuncture, summaries of National Institute of Health research findings, information for the health consumer, a list of additional information resources, a glossary, and a huge list of links to members' Web sites..

Medical acupuncture is defined by the AAMA as "acupuncture that has been successfully incorporated into medical or allied health practices in Western countries. It is derived from Asian and European sources, and is practiced in both pure and hybrid forms."

Quantity
Quality
Presentation

URL: http://medicalacupuncture.org