While Western medical acupuncture has evolved from Chinese acupuncture, its practitioners no longer adhere to concepts such as Yin/Yang and circulation of qi, and regard acupuncture as part of conventional medicine rather than a complete “alternative medical system”.
It acts mainly by stimulating the nervous system, and its known modes of action include local peripheral and central nervous system effects.
Western medical acupuncture is principally used by conventional healthcare practitioners, most commonly in primary care.
It is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial trigger point pain. It is also effective for postoperative pain.
An extension of Acupuncture is IMS -an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain of neuropathic origin. It is based on scientific neurophysiological principles.
IMS involves the insertion of fine acupuncture type needles into the body where muscles have shortened or contracted.a technique therapists use for the treatment of pain and movement impairments.