Letter: Get the point?
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Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Adrian White (letter, 10 November) is wrong to imply that modern physiological understanding provides a superior basis for the practice of acupuncture than traditional Chinese theory.
Scientific understanding of acupuncture is very limited; while it clearly demonstrates that acupuncture produces physiological effects, at best this knowledge leads to a narrow range of treatments, much more limited than traditional Chinese practice.
As a result, most acupuncturists in general practice are forced to use traditional Chinese methodology.
This is where training in traditional theory becomes important. It takes several years to learn Chinese theory to a level of expertise.
The important question to ask an acupuncturist before beginning treatment is not "are you a conventionally trained doctor", but "how long have you trained as an acupuncturist?"
WAINWRIGHT CHURCHILL
London N10
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