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acupuncture

American  
[ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk-cher, ak-yoo-puhngk-] / ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər, ˈæk yʊˌpʌŋk tʃər, ˌæk yʊˈpʌŋk- /

noun

  1. a Chinese medical practice or procedure that treats illness or provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at specified sites of the body.


verb (used with object)

acupunctured, acupuncturing
  1. to perform acupuncture on.

acupuncture British  
/ ˈækjʊˌpʌŋktʃə /

noun

  1. Also called: stylostixis.  the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses. Originally Chinese, this method of treatment is practised in many parts of the world

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

acupuncture Scientific  
/ ăky-pŭngk′chər /
  1. The practice of inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, treat a disease, or anesthetize a body part during surgery. Acupuncture has its origin in traditional Chinese medicine and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.


acupuncture Cultural  
  1. A technique, which originated in China, for curing disease, relieving pain, or bringing about partial anesthesia by inserting needles into the body at specific points.


Other Word Forms

  • acupunctural adjective
  • acupuncturist noun

Etymology

Origin of acupuncture

1675–85; < Latin acū with a needle (ablative of acus needle) or acu- (as combining form of acus ) + puncture

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These included animal assisted therapies, acupuncture, herbal medicine, music therapy, probiotics, and Vitamin D supplementation.

From Science Daily

Briand said advanced imaging technologies, including brain scans, were shedding light on how practices such as meditation and acupuncture affect the body.

From Barron's

Some examples include physical-therapy limits, acupuncture rules, podiatry and other commonly used services.

From MarketWatch

Okamoto credited exercise, yoga and other therapies such as acupuncture for helping while she reduces her dose.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several players said they would rely on the Rams’ training staff to help them modify weekly routines that include massage, acupuncture and other bodywork sessions with California providers outside of the organization.

From Los Angeles Times