Traditional Chinese Medicine is a system of health care with a clinical tradition dating back to A.D. 600. It includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork, and nutrition. These therapies are accepted by the National Institute of Health for a wide variety of medical conditions, including neuro-muscular-skeletal problems, internal medicine, and mental health conditions. The NIH estimates that over 8.2 million US adults have used acupuncture in the past, and it is growing rapidly in popularity due to its high level of effectiveness and low risk. In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical instruments, assuring their safety and effectiveness. The pre-packaged sterile needles are so thin that insertion usually cannot be felt. Most patients report their acupuncture treatments to be extremely relaxing, and many even fall asleep. Traditional Chinese Medicine has none of the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs or surgery, and often is equally or more effective.