[New findings in acupuncture therapy].

Acupuncture is an ancient method of healing coming from the Chinese traditional medicine. In Western medical science it is accepted and proven method of healing based on neurophysiological, neurobiochemical and neuroendocrinological research. Acupuncture as a method of healing has been accepted also by the World Health Organisation with strongly defined indications and contraindications. Indications for acupuncture included: acute and chronic pain syndrome, allergic disorders, addiction, psychosomatic and psychosexual illness and acupuncture analgesia/anaesthesia. It is very important that there are no harms of acupuncture treatment, although mild side effects are possible. Acupuncture is based on characteristics of meridian points, afferent nerve information evoked by acupuncture stimulation, inhibitory mechanisms in the central nervous system, endogenous antinociceptive substances concerned with acupuncture analgesia and descending mechanisms of antinociceptive control.