Most people's experiences of a needle have involved an injection and pain.

But there is another kind of needle to benefit health and its use is more gentle and even relaxing.

Acupuncture involves inserting needles into selected points on the body to help deal with mental and physical illness and pain. It can deal with a range of illnesses from headaches and backaches to addictions, stress, depression, premenstrual tension and infertility.

It has been used in China and other Eastern cultures for more than 2,500 years to restore, promote and maintain good health.

In Britain its popularity has only grown in recent decades. In the Seventies there were a handful of professional-trained practitioners but today more than 2,300 are registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).

Chinese philosophy believes health is dependent on the body's natural motivating energy, Qi, moving in a smooth and balanced way through channels beneath the skin.

When Qi becomes unbalanced and the patient ill, the acupuncturist can stimulate the body's healing response and help restore the equilibrium by inserting the needles into the appropriate points on the body which affect the functioning of certain organs.

Like many therapies, acupuncture deals with the overall well-being of the patient and not just specific problems.

There are about 500 points on the body and the acupuncturist will possibly use ten or 12 although they might not be on the part of the body where the problem is.

Acupuncture needles are not like those used by doctors. They are fine and solid rather than hollow.

When a needle is inserted it often feels like a tingling sensation or dull ache and while not painless is not painful either.

The needles can be left in for a couple of seconds or for more than 30 minutes. They are single-use pre-sterilised needles which are thrown away after each treatment. Members of the BAcC follow a code of practice which has hygiene and sterilisation standards.

Acupuncture does not always involve needles - the acupuncturist may use rubbing.

Small children or people with a fear of needles may be treated with pressure or tapping with a rounded probe and lasers or electro-acupuncture may also be used.

As well as dealing with the problem, acupuncture may increase energy levels, improve sleep and appetite.

The number of treatments needed varies but changes can be noticed after four to six.

If you are interested in an acupuncture treatment choose a qualified professional acupuncturist.

All BAcC members have trained for a minimum of three years full-time and are fully covered by the medical liability insurance.

The BAcC does not recommend self-treatment with needles or other gadgets.

To find an acupuncturist and for more information call the BAcC on 020 8735 0400 or log on to the BAcC web site at www. acupuncture.org.uk Here are some complaints and common acupuncture points used by practitioners.

Headaches: The base of the skull and at the temples. Also in-between the index finger and thumb on the back of the left hand.

Backaches: For lower back, at the back of the knees or along the sacrum, which is the triangular bone above the tail bone. For sciatica, the outer edge of the muscles in the buttocks, called the glutes.

Hay fever: The sides of the nostril, the centre of the forehead or in the inside crease of the elbow.

Stress: It will depend on the person but often close to the chest bone in line with the first and second ribs and/or along the centre line on the torso.

Premenstrual tension: It will depend on the woman's symptoms but often in the lower abdomen above the uterus and ovaries. For mood, irritability and weepiness, an inch below the fibula at the side of the knee (the bone which connects the knee to the ankle) and/or a point between the big toe and second toe.

Depression: Usually between the big toe and second toe and an inch below the fibula at the side of the knee are used or on the midline on the breastbone in line with the forth rib and perhaps the point between the eyebrows, also referred to as the third eye.

Repetitive strain injury: The wrist and elbow or shoulders.

Knee injury: Often the kneecap is cornered with four needles.

Toothache: In between the index finger and thumb on the back of the left hand.

Insomnia or anxiety: With the left palm facing up, inside the first bone you can feel on the wrist crease in line with the inside edge of the little finger.

Low energy: Rub the kidney area on the lower back with the backs of both hands 49 times counting each downward stroke as one.

Common cold: In between the bones of the lower arm approximately three fingers up from the wrist crease on the back of the arm.

Conjunctivitis: Rub the inside of the eye corner with a clean finger and rub outside the edge of the orbital bone which goes round the eye. Rub clockwise.

Intellectual fatigue: With your arm across the chest find the outer elbow crease. At the end of the crease on that level move towards your hand with your index finger, approximately 2in or until you find a tender spot.