Acupuncture is another Chinese practice that involves the placement of very fine needles into strategic points on the body.  The specific placement of the needles is thought to restore proper balance of 'yin and yang'.  As in the case above, this form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine has not been shown by scientific evaluation to offer any benefits to those suffering from allergies or asthma.  Although a relatively safe modality, one must be aware of risks associated with the use of potentially contaminated needles (i.e., blood-borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B).