Acupuncture is an ancient method of treatment that began in China as a part of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves stimulating points on the body called meridians. These points are stimulated by piercing with fine needles or applying electric currents or laser.
Acupuncture is most commonly used for pain-related conditions. It is also used for addictions, several mental disorders, movement disorders such as Parkinson disease and cerebral palsy, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
- Back pain.  Most research shows that acupuncture seems to reduce back pain more than no treatment. However, it is unclear if acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture. Receiving more than 5 treatments with deep acupuncture seems to offer the most long-term benefit.
Login for details - Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).  When used with antiemetics, most research shows that electroacupuncture modestly reduces nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. It is unclear if manual acupuncture is effective when used alone or with antiemetics.
Login for details - Depression.  When used with conventional antidepressants, most research shows that acupuncture modestly reduces symptoms of depression. It is unclear if acupuncture alone is more effective than conventional antidepressants.
Login for details - Dyspepsia.  Most research shows that acupuncture seems to reduce symptoms of dyspepsia.
Login for details - Fibromyalgia.  Most research shows that acupuncture seems to reduce pain and stiffness in patients with fibromyalgia.
Login for details - Insomnia.  When used alone or in combination with sleep hygiene or conventional treatments, most research shows that manual acupuncture seems to improve sleep quality in patients with insomnia. Electroacupuncture may not offer benefit.
Login for details - Labor pain.  Most research shows that acupuncture seems to reduce labor pain and the need for epidural analgesia.
Login for details - Migraine headache.  Most research shows that acupuncture seems to prevent migraine headaches. It is unclear if acupuncture is as effective as conventional prophylactic strategies or as a migraine treatment.
Login for details - Neck pain.  When used alone or in addition to routine treatment, most research shows that acupuncture seems to modestly reduce neck pain.
Login for details - Osteoarthritis.  Most research shows that acupuncture seems to reduce pain and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis. Acupuncture is conditionally recommended by The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for any form of osteoarthritis.
Login for details - Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).  Most research shows that acupuncture at the P6 acupoint reduces PONV in adults and children.
Login for details - Tension headache.  Most research shows that acupuncture alleviates tension headache when compared with no treatment. However, it is unclear if acupuncture is more effective than sham treatment.
Login for details
- Asthma.  Most research shows that acupuncture does not improve symptoms of asthma.
Login for details - HIV/AIDS-related peripheral neuropathy.  Some research shows that acupuncture does not improve peripheral neuropathy in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Infertility.  Most research shows that acupuncture does not improve fertility in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for improving fertility in patients not undergoing IVF or ICSI.
Login for details - Pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.  Most research shows that acupuncture does not reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Login for details - Smoking cessation.  Most research shows that acupuncture does not improve rates of smoking cessation.
Login for details
- Alcoholism.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may be modestly beneficial in adults with alcoholism.
Login for details - Allergic rhinitis (hay fever).  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may modestly reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Login for details - Alzheimer disease.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for this condition.
Login for details - Angina.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with angina.
Login for details - Ankylosing spondylitis. Login for details
- Anxiety. Login for details
- Aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia.
Login for details - Atrial fibrillation.  Early research suggests that acupuncture might be beneficial for atrial fibrillation.
Login for details - Autism spectrum disorder.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for children with autism.
Login for details - Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with ADHD.
Login for details - Bell palsy.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for this condition.
Login for details - Bipolar disorder.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with bipolar disorder.
Login for details - Breast cancer-related hot flashes.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with hot flashes related to breast cancer.
Login for details - Breast engorgement.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with breast engorgement.
Login for details - Cancer-related fatigue.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may modestly improve symptoms in patients with cancer-related fatigue.
Login for details - Cancer-related pain.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may modestly improve symptoms in patients with cancer-related pain.
Login for details - Carpal tunnel syndrome.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Login for details - Cerebral palsy.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may modestly improve symptoms in children with cerebral palsy.
Login for details - Cervical spondylosis.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may modestly improve pain in patients with cervical spondylosis.
Login for details - Chemotherapy-induced leukopenia.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with leukopenia following treatment with chemotherapy.
Login for details - Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with neuropathy following treatment with chemotherapy.
Login for details - Chemotherapy-related fatigue.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with chemotherapy-related fatigue.
Login for details - Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with CFS.
Login for details - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with COPD.
Login for details - Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with CP/CPPS.
Login for details - Cocaine dependence.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for cocaine dependence.
Login for details - Cognitive impairment.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may modestly improve cognitive function in patients with cognitive impairment.
Login for details - Colic.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in infants with colic.
Login for details - Constipation.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may increase bowel movements by a small amount in patients with constipation.
Login for details - Dry eye.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for improving symptoms of dry eye.
Login for details - Dry mouth.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with dry mouth.
Login for details - Dysmenorrhea.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for dysmenorrhea.
Login for details - Emergence delirium.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for the prevention or treatment of emergence delirium in children.
Login for details - Endometriosis.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may reduce pain associated with endometriosis.
Login for details - Epilepsy.  Low quality studies suggest that acupuncture may not reduce seizures.
Login for details - Erectile dysfunction (ED).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with ED.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle soreness.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for exercise-induced muscle soreness.
Login for details - Fecal incontinence. Login for details
- Gastroparesis.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for gastroparesis.
Login for details - Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with GAD.
Login for details - Glaucoma.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with glaucoma.
Login for details - Hearing loss.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for hearing loss.
Login for details - Herpes zoster (shingles). Login for details
- HIV/AIDS.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Hypertension.  Most research suggests that acupuncture may reduce blood pressure by a small amount in patients with hypertension. However, it is unclear if changes are sustainable or clinically relevant.
Login for details - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with IBS.
Login for details - Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Login for details
- Lymphedema.  Early research suggests that acupuncture may reduce pain and swelling in patients with lymphedema.
Login for details - Melasma.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for melasma.
Login for details - Menopausal symptoms.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for menopause-associated hot flashes.
Login for details - Myasthenia gravis.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with myasthenia gravis.
Login for details - Myofascial pain syndrome.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
Login for details - Neurodermatitis. Login for details
- Neurogenic bladder.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with neurogenic bladder.
Login for details - Neurological trauma.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Login for details - Nocturnal enuresis.  Early research suggests that acupuncture may reduce nocturnal enuresis in children.
Login for details - Obesity.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for weight loss.
Login for details - Ophthalmoplegia.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with ophthalmoplegia.
Login for details - Opioid withdrawal.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients going through opioid withdrawal.
Login for details - Overactive bladder.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with overactive bladder.
Login for details - Parkinson disease.  Acupuncture has only been evaluated in combination with other alternative treatments; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Parturition.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is not beneficial for preventing caesarean section.
Login for details - Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
Login for details - Peptic ulcers. Login for details
- Peripheral neuropathy.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with peripheral neuropathy.
Login for details - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with PCOS.
Login for details - Postherpetic neuralgia.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.
Login for details - Postoperative ileus.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with postoperative ileus.
Login for details - Postoperative pain.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with postoperative pain.
Login for details - Postoperative recovery.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for preventing postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
Login for details - Postpartum depression.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with postpartum depression.
Login for details - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with PTSD.
Login for details - Pregnancy-related pain.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for pregnancy-related pain.
Login for details - Premature ejaculation.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with premature ejaculation.
Login for details - Premature rupture of membranes (PROM).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with PROM.
Login for details - Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with PMS.
Login for details - Preoperative anxiety and sedation.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for preoperative anxiety and sedation.
Login for details - Pruritus.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with pruritus.
Login for details - Psoriasis.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with psoriasis.
Login for details - Radiation-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with RINV.
Login for details - Raynaud syndrome.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with RA.
Login for details - Rhinosinusitis.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with rhinosinusitis.
Login for details - Schizophrenia.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for reducing symptoms of schizophrenia.
Login for details - Sciatica.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with sciatica.
Login for details - Sexual dysfunction.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with sexual dysfunction.
Login for details - Shoulder pain.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with shoulder pain.
Login for details - Sleep apnea.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for improving symptoms of sleep apnea.
Login for details - Stroke.  When used in combination with conventional physiotherapy or rehabilitative measures, early research shows that acupuncture might help to improve recovery from stroke. However, it is unclear if acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture.
Login for details - Temporomandibular disorders (TMD).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with TMD.
Login for details - Tendinopathy.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for improving symptoms of tennis elbow.
Login for details - Tinnitus.  Evidence on the use of acupuncture for tinnitus is conflicting.
Login for details - Tourette syndrome.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Ulcerative colitis.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Login for details - Urinary incontinence.  Early research suggests that acupuncture is beneficial for improving symptoms of urinary incontinence.
Login for details - Urinary tract infections (UTIs).  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial for UTI prevention or recurrence.
Login for details - Urticaria.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with urticaria.
Login for details - Vascular dementia.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with vascular dementia.
Login for details - Vertigo.  It is unclear if acupuncture is beneficial in patients with vertigo.
Login for details
Acupuncture is a treatment method used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture treatment involves inserting fine needles into specific parts or points on the body along pathways called "meridians." The purpose is to stimulate points that correspond to specific organs, emotions, or sensory feelings. For example, acupuncture around the ear, feet, and hands targets the pain of labor.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is thought that disease is caused by an imbalanced or blocked flow of energy or "qi." Therefore, acupuncture is thought to stimulate energy flow, unblock energy, and rebalance energy, which results in healing.
Most acupuncture points are located near nerves. Researchers suggest that inserting an acupuncture needle at these points may block pain signals.
Some experts also think that acupuncture might release natural chemicals called endorphins or opioids, which naturally reduce pain.
For depression and other mental conditions, acupuncture is thought to stimulate chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that allow nerve cells to communicate. Some researchers believe that acupuncture might increase the production and release of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters that play a big role in depression.
Acupuncture is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. Side effects are uncommon but may include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, pain, fainting, and infection of the needle insertion points. Inappropriate use of acupuncture needles can cause serious trauma to internal organs and can cause serious adverse events including death.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Traditional acupuncture is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately when pregnant or breast-feeding. Researchers who studied the effects of acupuncture on labor pain reported no harm or serious side effects. There isn't enough reliable information to know if electroacupuncture or laser acupuncture is safe when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children. Acupuncture is POSSIBLY SAFE in children. There are no reports of serious side effects in research testing acupuncture in children.
There are no known interactions with medications. Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate or safe use of acupuncture depends on several factors such as the condition being treated or the person administering the treatment. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment.
Acuponcture, Acuponcture Auriculaire, Acuponcture Chinoise, Acuponcture Coréenne, Acuponcture Japonaise, Acuponcture de la Main, Acuponcture Occidentale, Acuponcture de l'Oreille, Acuponcture du Pied, Acupuntura, Auricular Acupuncture, Chinese Acupuncture, Ear Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Foot Acupuncture, Hand Acupuncture, Japanese Acupuncture, Korean Acupuncture, Laser Acupuncture, Needle Moxibustion, Single Point Acupuncture, Trigger Point Acupuncture, Western Acupuncture.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of the Natural Medicines. It is fully referenced and updated daily.
© Copyright 1995-2021. Therapeutic Research Faculty, publishers of Natural Medicines, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter. All rights reserved.