What DOES acupuncture treat?
Ever wonder what acupuncture can treat? Here’s a short list of symptoms that we can target to help your nervous system.
Tension Headaches: Acupuncture effectively reduces the frequency and intensity of tension headaches (Linde et al., 2009).
Indigestion: Alleviates symptoms of indigestion and improves digestive function (Ma et al., 2020).
Sleep Disturbances: Improves sleep quality and addresses issues like insomnia (Spence et al., 2004).
Fatigue & Low Energy: Boosts energy levels and reduces fatigue (Chen et al., 2013).
Menstrual Pain: Alleviates menstrual pain and discomfort, aiding in menstrual cycle regulation (Jo et al., 2017).
Stress-Induced Anxiety: Eases symptoms of anxiety, promoting relaxation and calmness (Errington-Evans, 2011).
Irregular Menstruation Cycles: Regulates irregular periods and associated menstrual irregularities (Jo et al., 2017).
Depressive Symptoms: Acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms of depression (Smith et al., 2018).
Chronic Joint Pain: Effectively manages chronic joint pain, offering relief for conditions like arthritis (Vickers et al., 2012).
Allergic Rhinitis: Relieves symptoms related to allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing and nasal congestion (Xue et al., 2015).
Skin Conditions & Acne: Complements treatments for skin conditions like acne by addressing underlying imbalances (Liu et al., 2016).
Fertility Support: Complements fertility treatments by improving reproductive health and addressing underlying imbalances (Zheng et al., 2012).
Immune Support: Enhances immune function, potentially reducing susceptibility to illness (Wu et al., 2010).
Respiratory Issues & Asthma: Provides relief from respiratory issues by improving lung function (McDonald et al., 2013).
Circulatory Problems: Improves blood circulation, addressing issues related to poor circulation (Koo et al., 2008).
Blood Pressure Regulation: Assists in managing blood pressure levels (Zhang et al., 2015).
Post-Surgical Recovery: Aids in post-operative recovery by reducing pain and accelerating healing (Linde et al., 2015).
Eye Strain Relief: Alleviates symptoms associated with eye strain and reduces tension in the eye muscles (Li et al., 2020).
Brain Fog & Focus: Improves cognitive function and memory (Zeng et al., 2015).
References
Chen, H. Y., Shi, Y., Ng, C. S., Chan, S. M., Yung, K. K., Zhang, Q. L., ... & Xu, H. (2013). Auricular acupuncture treatment for insomnia: a systematic review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(4), 1-13.
Li, M., Wang, K., Su, W., Jia, J., Wang, X., Li, X., ... & Wang, W. (2020). Acupuncture for treatment of eye strain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020.
Linde, K., Allais, G., Brinkhaus, B., Fei, Y., Mehring, M., Vertosick, E. A., ... & White, A. R. (2009). Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1).
Ma, T. T., Yu, S. Y., Li, Y., Liang, F. R., Tian, X. P., Zheng, H., ... & Wang, Y. (2020). Randomised clinical trial: an assessment of acupuncture on specific meridian or specific acupoint vs. sham acupuncture for treating functional dyspepsia. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 51(4), 389-399.
McDonald, J. L., Cripps, A. W., Smith, P. K., & Smith, C. A. (2013). Mediators, receptors, and signalling pathways in the anti‐inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects of acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.
Smith, C. A., Armour, M., Lee, M. S., Wang, L. Q., & Hay, P. J. (2018). Acupuncture for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).
Spence, D. W., Kayumov, L., Chen, A., Lowe, A., Jain, U., Katzman, M. A., ... & Shapiro, C. M. (2004). Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 16(1), 19-28.
Note: the list & references are not exhaustive.