Writing Acupuncture Case Reports

Case reports occupy a unique and valuable place in the spectrum of medical literature. In acupuncture, they not only document individual patient outcomes, but can also preserve the clinical reasoning and treatment methods that form the profession’s living tradition. This article outlines practices for writing acupuncture case reports, with attention to audience, purpose and content standards. It traces the history of case reports in Chinese medicine, examines their role within evidence-based medicine, and discusses strategies for selecting an appropriate patient. The paper also reviews existing biomedical guidelines for writing case reports, identifies key omissions relevant to acupuncture and recommends supplementing with specific details for a more comprehensive record. Practical considerations for discussion sections are included, along with guidance for integrating both traditional and biomedical perspectives. Well-written acupuncture case reports can serve as enduring contributions to clinical education, professional integration and the advancement of patient care.