Reception of acupuncture by the scientific community: from scorn to a degree of interest.

This article presents a comprehensive review of the clinical phenomenon of acupuncture. The historical development of this technique, in China, in other parts of Asia, and in the West is discussed. Contemporary advances in acupuncture applications, such as in anesthesia and in the treatment of drug addiction are reviewed. Up-to-date material regarding current physiological theories of acupuncture's mechanism is included. Acupuncture is seen as presenting of challenge to the scientific community which is moving from a posture of scorn to justifiable interest.