Acupuncture is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to promote health and wellbeing. The acupuncture needles stimulate pressure points in the body, promoting the release of endorphins and increasing blood flow. This can help to reduce pain, improve digestion, improve mood, lower anxiety, and boost immunity. Acupuncture is also said to promote overall vitality and wellbeing. A growing body of scientific evidence supports the efficacy of acupuncture, making it an increasingly popular treatment option for a wide range of health issues.

There is a large body of research supporting the use of acupuncture for various conditions.

The World Health Organization put together a list of conditions that acupuncture has been proven to treat by scientific research:

• Pain – tennis elbow, joint sprain, sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, post-operative pain, dental and TMD pain, low back pain, headache and migraine, facial pain, knee pain, neck pain
• Gynaecological – primary menstrual pain, labor induction, correction of breech presentation, colic
• Cancer treatment – adverse reactions to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, low white blood cell count
• Respiratory – allergic rhinitis
• Cardiovascular – high blood pressure, low blood pressure, post-stroke rehabilitation
• Psychiatric – depression, depressive neurosis following stroke
• Gastrointestinal – Nausea and vomiting, morning sickness, dysentery, biliary colic, stomach pain (in peptic ulcer, gastritis, and stomach spasm)

From the same WHO list, these are conditions for which therapeutic effect has been shown, but more research is needed:

• Respiratory – asthma, whooping cough, post-extubation in kids
• EENT – sore throat, Sjogren syndrome, eye pain, herpes zoster, nose bleeds, Meniere’s disease
• Neuro-psychiatric – anxiety, Bell’s palsy, Tourette’s syndrome, dementia, facial spasm, depression, neuralgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Pain – abdominal pain, cancer pain, TMJ dysfunction, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, ear pain, fibromyalgia, spinal pain, stiff neck, radicular pain, Tietze syndrome
• Male sexual and bladder dysfunction – prostatits, bladder infections, urolithiasis, urine retention, recurrent urinary tract infections
• Gynecological/renal issues – female urethral syndrome, infertility, urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, hypoovarianism, labour pain, PCOS, premenstrual syndrome
• Cardiovascular – Raynaud’s syndrome, hyperlipidema, pain in thromboangiitis, cardiac neurosis
• General – competition stress syndrome, craniocerebral injury, diabetes, haemorrhagic fever, cocaine and heroin dependance, alcohol dependance, obesity, insomnia, lactation deficiency, post-operative recovery, nicotine addiction
• Skin – acne, neurodermatitis, pruritis
• Gastrointestinal – cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, gastrokinetic disturbance, ulcerative colitis

Another list was compiled by the California Acupuncture Board of Consumer Affairs of conditions commonly treated by licenced acupuncturists.

1. allergies/asthma
2. anxiety/depression
3. arthritis/joint problems
4. back pain
5. bladder/kidney problems
6. constipation/diarrhea
7. colds/influenza
8. cough/bronchitis
9. dizziness
10. drug/alcohol/smoking
11. addiction
12. fatigue
13. gastrointestinal disorders
14. gynecological disorders
15. headache/migraine
16. heart problems/palpitations
17. high blood pressure
18. immune system deficiency
19. knee pain
20. menopausal discomfort
21. musculoskeletal injuries
22. pre-menstrual syndrome
23. paralysis/numbness
24. rhinitis
25. sciatica
26. sexual dysfunction
27. side effects of chemotherapy
28. sinusitis
29. skin problems
30. stress/tension
31. stroke rehabilitation
32. tendonitis”

Please note that these lists aren’t exhaustive but just reflect conditions for which research has proven effectiveness. If your condition is not listed, please reach out to ask if acupuncture and Chinese medicine is appropriate for it.

To sum up, whether you are seeking relief from a specific condition or simply looking to improve your sense of overall wellbeing, acupuncture is a powerful modality worth considering. It is painless, safe and effective and many people find it an invaluable way to promote and maintain their health and wellbeing.

Chris has over 15 years of experience treating patients with acupuncture. He offers it at both his Collingwood and Meaford clinics. Please use the buttons below to book a session or to ask any questions you have.

Whether you are seeking relief from a specific condition or simply looking to improve your sense of overall wellbeing, acupuncture is a powerful modality worth considering.

Chris has over 15 years of experience treating patients with acupuncture. He offers it at both his Collingwood and Meaford clinics. Please use the buttons below to book a session or to ask any questions you have.