acupuncture
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.acu·punc·ture
noun \-ˌpəŋ(k)-chər\Definition of ACUPUNCTURE
: an originally Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points especially to cure disease or relieve pain (as in surgery)
— acupuncture transitive verb
— acu·punc·tur·ist \-ˌpəŋ(k)-chə-rist\ noun
See Origin of ACUPUNCTURE
Latin acus + English puncture
First Known Use: 1684
Rhymes with ACUPUNCTURE
acu·punc·ture
noun \-ˌpəŋ(k)-chər\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of ACUPUNCTURE
: an originally Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points especially to cure disease or relieve pain (as in surgery)
acupuncture
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Medical technique in which needles are inserted into the skin and underlying tissues, devised in China before 2500 BC. One or more small metal needles are inserted at precise points along 12 meridians (pathways) in the body, through which the vital life force (qi) is believed to flow, in order to restore yin-yang balance and treat disease caused by yin-yang imbalance. Acupuncture appears to relieve pain and is used as an anesthetic for surgery. Theories to explain its effects include stimulation of release of natural opiates, blockage of pain-signal transmission, and a placebo effect. See also acupressure.
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