To put it in a nutshell, it is a method of pricking special needles into certain points on human body. Those points are strictly set and depend on the ailment that is to be treated. The procedure may last from a few minutes to a few hours and the number of needles varies from a few to more than ten. The aforesaid differences stem from the fact that acupuncture, which originated in China 5 thousand years ago, has been evolving in different centres of which every one devised its own techniques. At my university in Ulan Bator, where beside conventional medicine one may study Tibetan and Mongolian natural methods of healing, they advised to use several needles for half an hour.

It is very effective in treating pains of muscles, joints, spine, rheumatism, migraine or sciatica. In many cases the patient feels relief immediately, after one operation. Still, the full effect can be achieved after a complete series of 10 or 15 procedures. Acupuncture is also helpful for various types of neurosis and psychosomatic-based ailments. It can also help improve functioning of liver, digestive system, circulatory system and urogenital system. Acupuncture can help release the tension and terminate tiredness.

Contrary to what it may seem like, professionally performed acupuncture is painless. Patients most often feel sensitive to pricks on their arms and feet, as these are the most nerved spots. Other parts of the body are not that sensitive. Generally, pain is out of question although the patient may feel uncomfortable. Acupuncture and its types - microacupuncture and electroacupuncture - are safe and very carefully tested operations. They can be undergone by anybody but pregnant women, people with very high blood pressure and the elderly above 80.