خلاف حول تأثير الإبر الصينية

Hello and welcome to BBC Xtra English!

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy which people have used to treat illnesses and diseases.

It is especially famous in China and Eastern countries, where there are many specialists who know how and where to place needles around your body.

Recently, a team of researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that if acupuncture was given to a patient before they take painkillers to undergo an operation, the painkillers work much better.

Dr Richard Harris, one of the researchers at the university, explained how acupuncture makes the painkillers work better.

He said that the needles speed up the part of the brain that responds to opiates (the pain relieving drugs).

But not everyone agrees with him.

Edward Ernst, a professor of complementary medicine says that acupuncture does not relieve pain directly but is more to do with the patient's feelings.

Professor Ernst says that because acupuncture is an exciting form of therapy, many patients feel special after taking it, and this makes them happier people.

Do you believe in alternative therapies like acupuncture and why? Write to us in English!
هل تؤمن بجدوى أساليب الطب البديل مثل الإبر الصينية؟ ولماذا؟ اكتب لنا بالانجليزية

ancient
قديم
therapy
علاج
illnesses
امراض
acupuncture
الإبر الصينية
specialists
اخصائيون
needles
إبر
painkillers
مسكنات
opiates
المواد الافيونية
alternative therapy
الطب البديل