Acupuncture (from Latin, acus (needle) and punctura (to puncture)[1]) is a form of alternative medicine[2] and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)[3] involving thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points.[4] It can be associated with the application of heat, pressure, or laser light to these same points.[4] Acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief,[5][6] though it is also used for a wide range of other conditions.[3] Clinical practice varies depending on the country.[7] There is a diverse range of acupuncture approaches, involving different philosophies.[8] The method used in TCM is likely the most widely adopted in the US;[2] it is rarely used alone but rather as an adjunct to other forms of treatment.[9] TCM theory and practice are not based upon scientific knowledge,[10] and acupuncture has been described as a type of pseudoscience.[11][12]