What do Jehovah's Witnesses think of acupuncture?

Question

I haven't found anything in the Awake about acupuncture or online at the official website. I asked one J.W. who said that one of her relatives whose also a J.W. actually is an acupuncturist. I did recently see something in the Awake condemning Yoga. I'm confused.

Answer 1

Acupuncture is a healing technique that has become quite popular throughout the world. While the term “acupuncture” covers several different techniques, it most commonly involves the use of fine needles inserted into specific areas of the body to achieve a therapeutic response. Research over the past several decades suggests that acupuncture may work in some cases by releasing neurochemicals, such as endorphins, which can help relieve pain and inflammation.

http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2000/11/8/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2003/6/8/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2001/12/8/article_02.htm


The origin of the word “yoga” is related to that of the English word “yoke.” It can mean to join or yoke together or to bring under a yoke, to harness or control. To a Hindu, yoga is a technique or a discipline that leads to union with a great supernatural force or spirit. It has been described as “the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul to God.”

http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/8/1a/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2003/6/1/article_01.htm

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses would be wise to eschew acupuncture. According to Wikipedia, "Traditional Chinese religion attributes the introduction of acupuncture to the god Shennong." Would true Christians want to be associated in any way with a pagan god?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture#History
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/chinesemedicine/emperors.html

Some may point out that the Ice Man, found in an Alpine glacier a few years ago, may have also practiced acupuncture, as the same Wikipedia article notes:

Speculation encircles the tattoo marks found on the Ice Man who died around 3300 BCE, whose body was discovered after an Alpine glacier melted. These tattoos suggested that a form of stimulatory treatment resembling acupuncture developed independent of China.

Acupuncture is thus connected to tattooing, which Witnesses also disdain.

White, A.; Ernst, E. (2004). "A brief history of acupuncture". Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 43 (5): 662–663. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keg005
http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-say-about-tattoos/

Answer 3

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing technique that has become quite popular throughout the world. While the term “acupuncture” covers several different techniques, it most commonly involves the use of fine needles inserted into specific areas of the body to achieve a therapeutic response. Research over the past several decades suggests that acupuncture may work in some cases by releasing neurochemicals, such as endorphins, which can help relieve pain and inflammation.

Some research suggests that acupuncture may be effective in treating quite a number of ailments and that it is a safe alternative to the use of anesthetics. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of 104 conditions. And a committee selected by the U.S. National Institutes of Health cited evidence that acupuncture is an acceptable therapy in the treatment of postoperative pain, muscle pain, menstrual cramps, and nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy or pregnancy.

While serious side effects are rare with acupuncture, individuals may experience a sensation of soreness, numbness, or tingling. Proper sterilization of needles or the use of disposable needles can minimize the risk of infection. Many acupuncturists lack the medical skills needed to make a proper diagnosis or to recommend other more appropriate therapies. It would be unwise to ignore this lack of diagnostic skills, especially if choosing acupuncture to help relieve the symptoms of chronic conditions.

The Choices Are Numerous

The foregoing provides only a sampling of the many therapies that are now commonly referred to as alternative in some places. In the future some of these, as well as others not reviewed here, may well be considered conventional, even as they already are in some parts of the world. Others, of course, may fall into disuse or even disrepute.

Unfortunately, pain and sickness are very much a part of the human experience, even as the Bible so accurately states: “We know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.” (Romans 8:22) It is only to be expected that humans would seek relief. But where can we turn? Please consider some observations that may be of help to you in your choice of medical treatment.

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Combining Herbs With Medicines—WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Often the public has been warned against taking certain prescription drugs in combination or taking them with alcoholic beverages. Is there also a danger in taking particular herbs along with prescription medications? How common is this practice?

An article in The Journal of the American Medical Association spoke of “the simultaneous use of prescription medications with herbs.” It noted: “Among the 44% of adults who said they regularly take prescription medications, nearly 1 (18.4%) in 5 reported the concurrent use of at least 1 herbal product, a high-dose vitamin, or both.” It is important to be informed about the possible dangers of such a practice.

Those taking certain herbal products should also be concerned when undergoing a medical procedure requiring anesthesia. Dr. John Neeld, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, explained: “There are anecdotal reports that some popular herbs, including ginseng and St. John’s wort, can cause wide swings in blood pressure. That could be very dangerous during anesthesia.”

This doctor added: “Others, such as ginkgo biloba, ginger and feverfew, can interfere with blood clotting, a particular hazard during epidural anesthesia—if there’s bleeding near the spinal cord, it could cause paralysis. St. John’s wort can also intensify the effects of some narcotic or anesthetic drugs.”

Clearly, it is vital to know about the potential danger of taking particular herbs and medicines in combination. Pregnant and nursing women should especially be aware of the possible harm that their offspring may suffer as a result of the combination of certain herbs and medicines. Patients, therefore, are encouraged to discuss with their health-care provider what medications they take, whether these be alternative or otherwise. it would be a matter of prayer, and a concience matter of your own. there are lots to learn and still lots that this has to be looked at, it is not a permanant cure, although it is said to relieve pain. but the people i know and have spoken to have always said that it worked for a short while. how much do you have to keep it going in the long term and what of the the effects of this long term treatment.

Answer 4

Acupuncture is fine because it's simply a medical thing, whereas you need to be careful with yoga, as it has a spiritual and almost religious side to it.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that decisions regarding healthcare and medical therapy are best left to individuals and family heads. There is no reason to believe acupuncture should be considered differently than any other well-established treatment, especially when licensing boards monitor and register practitioners.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20001108/article_01.htm

Answer 6

OK. As a medical science, there is nothing wrong with Acupuncture. There are some who interweave various Pagan influences with it, but this is not a rule.

Answer 7

Yoga--Just an Exercise or Something More?
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2002/8/1a/article_01.htm

Yoga involves emptying one's mind & 'letting go'.
Accupuncture does nothing even similar.

Answer 8

i think its fine. a sister i talked to the other day actually mentioned it for me. she said her friend got it done and it worked. you should be careful though. if there IS any spiritual things about the one you see, change it.

Answer 9

This is a good question, and one that made me curious for a very long time.