acupuncture

IPA/ˈækjupʌŋktʃə(r)/
KK[ˈækjupˌʌŋktʃɚ]IPA/ˈækjupʌŋktʃər/

acupuncture — noun

1. a form of treatment that uses very fine needles placed in certain body points to

1.nounC1
Definition

a form of treatment that uses very fine needles placed in certain body points to lessen pain or help the body recover

Example

Dr. Lin used acupuncture to ease Mei's lower back pain.

use acupuncture to treat pain

Eva had acupuncture while the therapist placed tiny needles near her shoulder.

Common collocations
  • have acupuncture
  • try acupuncture
  • offer acupuncture
  • acupuncture session
  • acupuncture clinic
Synonyms
  • needling

    A medical term for treatment with needles; it can also refer to methods other than acupuncture.

  • acupuncture treatment

    A plain descriptive phrase, not a separate technical term.

Grammar Patterns

acupuncture for [pain or health problem]

have/try/offer acupuncture

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when talking about the treatment in general. In everyday English, people often say have, try, or offer acupuncture, often followed by for and the health problem.

Common Mistakes

My aunt tried an acupuncture for her knee.
My aunt tried acupuncture for her knee.
The word is usually uncountable when you mean the treatment in general.
The spa sells acupunctures for tired workers.
The spa offers acupuncture for tired workers.
The treatment name is usually not used in the plural.

Word family

  • acupuncturist
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For this sense, acupuncture is the most exact word when the treatment itself uses fine needles placed at chosen body points. Acupressure is close in idea, but it uses finger pressure instead of needles. Dry needling also uses needles, yet it is usually described as a modern method for tight or painful muscles, not as classic acupuncture. Physiotherapy is broader and can include exercise, stretching, massage, and movement training, so it is not limited to needles. Choose acupuncture when needles are the central part of the treatment. For example, 'She tried acupuncture for back pain,' but 'The therapist planned weekly physiotherapy after the injury.'

acupressuredry needlingphysiotherapy

Common collocations

Nouns

  • acupuncture clinic
  • acupuncture point
  • acupuncture session
  • acupuncture treatment

Phrases

  • have acupuncture
  • try acupuncture
  • offer acupuncture

Prepositions

  • for pain
  • for headaches
  • for stress

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word acupuncture was made in English from Latin parts. Acu- comes from a Latin word meaning 'needle', and puncture comes from a Latin verb meaning 'to prick or pierce'. The name matches the basic idea of the treatment: using needles at chosen points on the body.