Foreword Acknowledgements Contributors Abbreviations SECTION 1: Introduction 1 Introduction A. White, M. Cummings, J. Filshie 2 The history of medical acupuncture A. Campbell SECTION 2: Mechanisms of action 3 Peripheral components of acupuncture stimulation - their contribution to the specific clinical effects of acupuncture T. Lundeberg, I. Lund 4 Neuroimaging: a window into human brain mechanisms supporting acupuncture effects V. Napadow, N. Kettner, R.E. Harris 5 Neurophysiology of chronic pain R. Gupta, P. Farquhar-Smith 6 Acupuncture and the autonomic nervous system E. Stener-Victorin SECTION 3: Clinical approaches 7 Western medical acupuncture - the approach to treatment M. Cummings 8 Acupuncture without points A. Campbell 9 Superficial acupuncture A. Macdonald 10 Auricular acupuncture T. Usichenko, E. Anders 11 Electroacupuncture D. Mayor 12 Self-acupuncture M. Forrester 13 Integration of acupuncture in the health service S. Hayhoe, A. White and Contributors 14 Safety of acupuncture A. White, M. Cummings SECTION 4: Related techniques 15 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) M.I. Johnson, J.W. Thompson 16 Laser acupuncture G.D. Baxter, S.M. McDonough SECTION 5: Research 17 A critical approach to randomised controlled trials of acupuncture M. Cummings, A. White 18 A critical approach to systematic reviews of acupuncture A. White SECTION 6: Clinical use 19 Acupuncture for chronic pain S. Hayhoe 20 Acupuncture analgesia for interventions K. Streitberger, T. Usichenko 21 Acupuncture for gastrointestinal conditions S. Joos 22 Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting K. Streitberger 23 Acupuncture in cardiovascular medicine J. Longhurst 24 Acupuncture for neurological conditions D.J. Grant 25 Acupuncture in mental health P. Ronan, H. Rampes 26 Acupuncture for drug dependence and obesity A. White 27 Acupuncture for urogenital conditions M. Pullman 28 Acupuncture for respiratory conditions A. White 29 Acupuncture for ear, nose and throat conditions A. White 30 Acupuncture for eye conditions E. Rom 31 Acupuncture for skin conditions F. Pfab 32 Acupuncture in gynaecology and infertility E. Stener-Victorin 33 Acupuncture in obstetrics C.A. Smith 34 Acupuncture in cancer and palliative care C. Rubens, J. Filshie 35 Acupuncture in rheumatology L. Williamson 36 Acupuncture in sports medicine K.V. Trinh, S.J. Scott, E. Ho, L. Field 37 Acupuncture in primary care J. Foell 38 Acupuncture in dentistry T. Thayer 39 Acupuncture in veterinary medicine S. Lindley SECTION 7: Appendix Appendix 1 Dermatome/myotome maps Appendix 2 Meridian/channel charts Appendix 3 Standard international nomenclature for the 14 meridians