Acupuncture has been employed as a health care modality for over 3,000 years. Modern science has begun to understand the secrets of this ancient medicine with the support of new studies conducted by leading scientists, hospitals, and medical research facilities from all over the world. Today, acupuncture is receiving wide acceptance as a respected, valid and effective form of health care.
DID YOU KNOW: This ancient health care system is proving itself as an effective modality for a wide variety of problems. So much so that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) awarded 8 grants that directly relate to acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medical research, totaling more than $9.5 million dollars.
According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 51% of medical doctors understand the efficacy and value of acupuncture, and medical doctors refer patients to acupuncturists more than any other alternative care provider.1
In Canada, a 2008 study conducted by the Institute for Work & Health concluded that low back pain, the most common musculoskeletal problem, can be relieved by acupuncture massage, called Tui Na, more effectively than any other treatment.2
A German study published in Archives of Internal Medicine in 2007 covered the largest and most rigorous trial ever undertaken to investigate the analgesic effects of acupuncture versus traditional medical approaches to relieve lower back pain. This study involved 1,802 patients and 13,475 treatments and concluded that acupuncture “constituted a strong treatment alternative to multimodal conventional therapy, giving physicians a promising and effective treatment option for chronic lower back pain.” 3
In addition to its effectiveness in pain control, acupuncture has a proven track record of treating a variety of endocrine, circulatory and systemic conditions.
The British Medical Journal in 2008 reported that acupuncture can increase the success rate of in-vitro fertilization and increase the number of viable pregnancies. The additional benefits were listed as reduction in nausea and muscle pain associated with both IVF and pregnancy in general without the use of drugs that might harm the growing fetus.5
In Sweden, a 2008 study involving 215 cancer patients proved that acupuncture can eliminate the need for additional drugs and reduce nausea suffered during radiation treatments.4
A 2007 study from the University of Heidelberg in Germany concluded that acupuncture treatments can not only relieve the pain associated with bronchial asthma but also help to control outbreaks of allergic asthma as well. It became clearly evident that “acupuncture performed in accordance with the principles of traditional Chinese medicine showed significant immune-modulating effects.” 6
– National Institute of Health, 1997 Consensus on Acupuncture
How can Acupuncture Help Pain?
Acupuncture Helps Meniscus Repair
Acupuncture Eases Back Pain
Analysis of 22 Studies Show Acupuncture Is Effective for Back Pain
Acupuncture Speeds Lower Back Recovery
New Physician Guidelines Highlight Acupuncture As First Line Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain
Acupuncture Helps Neck Pain
2012 Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture for Pain
Additional Research
Acupuncture and Addiction
Acupuncture Randomized Control Trial for Cocaine Dependence
Acupuncture Helps Smokers Quit
Effects of Acupuncture on Smoking Cessation
Acupuncture and Allergies
Acupuncture and Allergies
Acupuncture and Anxiety
Effects from Acupuncture in Treating Anxiety
Acupuncture and Arthritis
Acupuncture Eases Arthritic Pain
Acupuncture and Asthma
Acupuncture, Moxa, Cupping and Herbs Relieve Asthma
Acupuncture and Autoimmune Diseases
- Systematic Lupus Erythematosus
Acupuncture and Bell’s Palsy
Acupuncture Helpful for Sequelae of Bell’s Palsy
Acupuncture and Cancer
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture to Reduce Cancer-Related Pain
Acupuncture and Depression
The Effectiveness & Safety of Acupuncture Therapy in Depressive Disorders
Acupuncture of Chronic Pain & Depression (2016)
Acupuncture and Diabetes:
Acupuncture Alleviates Diabetes Outperforms Drugs
Acupuncture and Digestive Disorders
- IBS
- Crohn’s disease
Acupuncture and FIbromyalgia
Acupuncture reduces pain and improves sleep for fibromyalgia patients
Acupuncture and Headaches
Acupuncture better than Asprin for Headaches
Acupuncture and Hot Flashes
Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes
Acupuncture and Insomnia
Acupuncture Improves Depression and Insomnia
Acupuncture and Sexual Dysfunction
Acupuncture Beneficial at Alleviating Sexual Dysfunction
Acupuncture and Stress
Acupuncture Controls Hormones to Reduce Stress
Acupuncture and Urination
Acupuncture Improves Overactive Bladder
Other Studies
CT Scans Prove Location of Acupuncture Points
- “A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians”, Astin, JA., et. al., Arch Intern Med., 1998; (158).
- The Institute for Work & Health, “Massage for Lower Back Pain”, Spine, 2009, July 15: 34 (16).
- “German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for Chronic Lower Back Pain”, Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007; 167(17).
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, “Acupuncture Just as Effective Without Needle Puncture”, Science Daily, December 1, 2008, study conducted by the at Linkoping University and the Vardal Institute in Sweden.
- “Effects of Acupuncture of Pregnancy and Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, British Medical Journal, 2008: 336: 545, published February 7, 2008.
- “Immunomodulatory Effects of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Allergic Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Study”, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol 6, Issue 6, 2007.
- Neuro-acupuncture, “Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed”, Cho, ZH., et al., 2001.
- Acupuncture – A scientific appraisal, Ernst, E., White, A., 1999, p. 74.
- Acupuncture Energetics, “A Clinical Approach for Physicians”, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, pgs 41-42, 66.
- Anatomy of Neuro-Anatomical Acupuncture, Volume 1, Wong, Dr. J., 1999, p. 34.
- National Institute of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, “Acupuncture Activates Endogenous Systems of Analgesia.”, Han, J.S., 1997 (Bethesda, MD).
- Neuro-acupuncture, “Scientific Evidence of Acupuncture Revealed”, Cho, ZH., et al., p.116.
