Book excerpt: This book explores acupuncture's remarkable evolution in the United States over the last fifty years as it transitioned from an obscure practice to a pivotal modality in complementary medicine. These pages chronicle acupuncture’s transformative journey within the dominant culture of Western scientific medicine, highlighting key milestones from the use of acupuncture in pain management to the NIH-sponsored open-access digital compendium of acupuncture points and related information. Through narratives detailing educational advancements, legislative battles, practical applications, and scientific research, the reader gains a comprehensive view of how acupuncture has navigated controversies and debates to secure its place in modern healthcare. This book traces acupuncture’s expanding role in the healthcare system, reflects on its historical significance, and considers its future in global health. Insightful commentary provides acupuncture practitioners, skeptics, and aficionados with a useful overview of acupuncture’s past, its current achievements and its promise for the future.