ACUPUNCTURE: NEW USES FOR AN ANCIENT REMEDY 367
Acupuncture: New Uses for an Ancient Remedy
1 Six months ago, my 78-year-old grandmother was quickly losing her independence. Severe
arthritis in both knees hampered her ability to take care of herself. Shopping, getting around the
neighborhood, even walking down her front steps was becoming almost impossible. Pain medica-
tions helped somewhat, but the side effects created their own problems.
2 Then her doctor suggested acupuncture. My grandmother was skeptical at first, but she
was willing to try just about anything. She did, and the results were miraculous. After six weeks,
her pain and stiffness were significantly reduced, she was able to take care of her apartment
4 Not surprisingly, I wanted to learn more about this treatment that produced such miracu-
lous results for both my grandmother and myself. Today I will share part of what I have learned
by explaining what happens when you receive an acupuncture treatment, how acupuncture works,
the kinds of medical conditions that can be treated by acupuncture, and the growing use of acu-
puncture in combination with Western medical techniques. Let’s start by looking at a typical acu-
puncture treatment.
368 INFORMATIVE SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
9 The aim of acupuncture is to restore the open flow of energy through these meridians.
This is done by placing needles at specific points on the meridians. Altogether there are more
than 1,000 acupuncture points on the meridians. These points have been mapped out over the
centuries with scientific precision. In China there is a saying: “There is no pain if there is free
flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.”
speed recovery time after surgery.
12 In light of all this, it is not surprising that a number of clinics and hospitals are combining
acupuncture with Western medicine in an effort to provide patients the benefits of both. For ex-
ample, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the third oldest hospital in the U.S., has added
acupuncture to its wellness center. Positive results have also been seen at the Mattel Children’s
14 Today we have learned what happens during an acupuncture treatment, how acupuncture
works, some of the illnesses that can be treated with acupuncture, and the growing integration of
acupuncture with Western approaches to medicine. I hope you now know more about this ancient
medical practice and the benefits it can provide.
15 After years of skepticism about acupuncture, the West is finally beginning to recognize
370 INFORMATIVE SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Acupuncture: New Uses for an Ancient Remedy
Commentary
“Acupuncture: New Uses for an Ancient Remedy” takes what could be a dry, technical topic and makes it
interesting. The speech is crisply organized, contains well-chosen supporting materials, and uses con-
crete language and personal examples to clarify ideas. A video is available online and on the DVD of
student speeches that accompanies this edition of The Art of Public Speaking. Here is a synopsis.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the role of acupuncture in modern society.
Central Idea: Based on traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a safe procedure used to treat a
wide range of health conditions.
Method of Organization: Topical
Introduction: The introduction consists of paragraphs 1–4. The speaker starts with an extended ex-
ample that captures attention and interest. In this case, the example works particularly well be-
Body: Paragraph 5 begins the body of the speech. The information in this paragraph and the subse-
quent paragraph answers the audience’s questions about what happens during an acupuncture
treatment. Knowing that many people are squeamish about being poked with needles, the
speaker explains that the needles used in acupuncture are small and essentially painless. As
you can see from the video, the speaker does not pass the needles around during her speech.
everyday language. The quotation at the end of paragraph 9 nicely sums up this section of the
speech.
A signpost at the beginning of paragraph 10 signals that the speaker is moving to her third
main point, in which she explains some of the medical conditions that can be treated with acu-
puncture. Again, she relies on credible sources and identifies them clearly. Because the speaker