The language of integrative medicine

Biomedical language,also known as biomedical English,is sufficiently different from general English to warrant treatment as a distinct language.Biomedical language has its own conventions of grammar,phraseology and discourse,as well as a lexicon which is complex and esoteric.Furthermore,each sub-discipline,such as integrative medicine,has a unique vocabulary which must be mastered in order to achieve fluency.In this article,the vocabulary specific to acupuncture is identified,and strategies are introduced to master the use of that vocabulary.