China: Gold acupuncture needles from Mancheng Tomb 1, 2nd century BCE, Hebei Provincial Museum, Shijiazhuang

Acupuncture (from Latin, 'acus' (needle) + 'punctura' (to puncture) is the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body involving various methods such as penetration by thin needles or the application of heat, pressure, or laser light. Clinical practice varies depending on the country. Traditional acupuncture involves needle insertion, moxibustion, and cupping therapy. It is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to TCM, stimulating specific acupuncture points corrects imbalances in the flow of 'qi' through channels known as meridians. Acupuncture aims to treat a range of conditions, though is most commonly used for pain relief. It is rarely used alone but rather as an adjunct to other treatment modalities.