-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Health: Acupuncture1 in the UK 健康:针灸在英国
What is the single largest cause of sick leave in the UK?
The answer is not the common cold or flu, but back pain. Back pain affects one in three British adults, costs the country over £5bn every year and is notoriously difficult to treat.
But now Britain's National Health Service (NHS) will be offering a new solution: acupuncture.
The ancient Chinese needle therapy has been around in the UK for many years, but this is the first time it has been officially endorsed2 by the NHS's advisory3 body, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence4 (NICE).
Traditionally, doctors in the UK have advised back pain sufferers to stay active, do stretching exercises and take painkillers5 when necessary. In more serious cases some people are given X-ray treatment or injections with therapeutic6 substances.
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.
As an alternative to acupuncture, patients will be able to opt7 for either a course of spinal8 manipulation, or a series of special exercise sessions.
In the UK, acupuncture is classed as a complementary therapy, which is the term given to a medical procedure which hasn't been subjected to the strict trials by which scientists prove some treatments work.
While many experts have welcomed the move to make acupuncture available on the NHS, some are still sceptical about its effectiveness.
Research from the US earlier this month found that simulated acupuncture using toothpicks which do not pierce the skin could be as good as using real needles.
So while some are yet to be convinced, back pain sufferers will be hoping that acupuncture helps get them feeling healthy and mobile again. Employers, on the other hand, will be hoping it gets them back to work.
1 acupuncture | |
n.针灸,针刺法,针疗法 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 endorsed | |
vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 );在(尤指支票的)背面签字;在(文件的)背面写评论;在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 advisory | |
adj.劝告的,忠告的,顾问的,提供咨询 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 excellence | |
n.优秀,杰出,(pl.)优点,美德 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 painkillers | |
n.止痛药( painkiller的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 therapeutic | |
adj.治疗的,起治疗作用的;对身心健康有益的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 opt | |
vi.选择,决定做某事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 spinal | |
adj.针的,尖刺的,尖刺状突起的;adj.脊骨的,脊髓的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|