Health: Acupuncture in the UK 健康：针灸在英国
[audio]http://file.24en.com/bbc/tae/furniture_828985/bbc_tae_214_acupuncture.mp3[/audio][color=#3f3f3f][font=Verdana, 宋体, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=12px]What is the single largest cause of[b]sick leave[/b] in the UK?
[p=21, 2, left]The answer is not the common cold or flu, but [b]back pain[/b]. Back pain affects one in three British adults, costs the country over £5bn every year and is[b]notoriously[/b] difficult to [b]treat[/b].[/p][p=21, 2, left]But now Britain's [b]National Health Service[/b] (NHS) will be offering a new solution: [b]acupuncture[/b].[/p][p=21, 2, left]The ancient Chinese [b]needle therapy[/b] has been around in the UK for many years, but this is the first time it has been [b]officially endorsed[/b] by the NHS's [b]advisory body[/b], the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).[/p][p=21, 2, left]Traditionally, doctors in the UK have advised back pain sufferers to [b]stay active[/b], do [b]stretching exercises[/b] and take [b]painkillers[/b] when necessary. In more serious cases some people are given X-ray treatment or [b]injections[/b]with [b]therapeutic substances[/b].[/p][p=21, 2, left]NICE, however, say there is evidence that acupuncture may be more effective than expensive X-rays or injections, so patients who have been suffering for over six weeks should be given a choice.[/p][p=21, 2, left]As an alternative to acupuncture, patients will be able to opt for either a course of [b]spinal manipulation[/b], or a series of special exercise sessions.[/p][p=21, 2, left]In the UK, acupuncture is classed as a [b]complementary therapy[/b], which is the term given to a medical procedure which hasn't been subjected to the [b]strict trials[/b] by which scientists prove some treatments work.[/p][p=21, 2, left]While many experts have welcomed the move to make acupuncture available on the NHS, some are still [b]sceptical[/b] about its effectiveness.[/p][p=21, 2, left]Research from the US earlier this month found that [b]simulated[/b]acupuncture using toothpicks which do not pierce the skin could be as good as using real needles.[/p][p=21, 2, left]So while some are yet to be convinced, back pain sufferers will be hoping that acupuncture helps get them feeling healthy and [b]mobile[/b] again. Employers, on the other hand, will be hoping it gets them back to work.[/p][/size][/font][/color]
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