sonopuncture

n.

A treatment program that uses sound waves to stimulate the same areas of the body used by acupuncture.

—sonopuncturist n.

Example Citations:

Sonopuncture is similar to acupuncture, but an ultrasound device that transmits sound waves is applied to the body's acupoints. Needles are not used. Sonopuncture is sometimes combined with tuning forks and other vibration devices. Proponents claim this approach is useful to treat many of the same disorders as acupuncture.

—"Old Eastern practice gaining fans in West," Philadelphia Tribune, October 21, 2007

Acutonics, also known as sound healing or sonopuncture, applies tuning forks to specific energy or pressure points on the body. It is based in part on traditional Chinese medicine and in part on New Age speculation involving the harmonic properties of our solar system.

—Cori Howard, "Acupuncture's new wave: Sonopuncture aims to treat stress and disease with tuning forks instead of needles," The Globe and Mail, December 28, 2007

Earliest Citation:

Sonopuncture: Technique involving application of ultrasound to classical acupuncture points.

—Jack Raso, "The enchanted forest: a 'treasury' of healthcare esoterica," Nutrition Forum, May 1, 1995

Notes:

Here's an earlier, albeit jocular, use of the term:

Discreet, self-effacing, quiet. But not at New Year - the 10-day celebration all Chinese observe with an enthusiasm that can border on total gormlessness. Chinatown becomes the inside of a pinball machine. The noise level is enough to sonopuncture your soul.

—D. Keith Mano, "There's more to Chinatown," The New York Times, April 24, 1988

Related Words:

acoustic ecology

directed sound

voice lift

Category:

Medicine