Acupuncture and health promotion: Possibilities in public health service

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to analyze the possible contributions of acupuncture applied within public health services in the municipality of São Paulo, for health promotion. A qualitative research approach was used, with in-depth interviews. The results showed that acupuncture practiced within the public health services enabled interdisciplinarity, thereby integrating individuals' self-perception and their perception of context and allowing changes in the primary causes of diseases. Thus, contact with acupuncture as practiced in the health services of the municipal network of São Paulo may be able to contribute towards developing health promotion actions.