Acupuncture

Uses based on scientific evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

Grade*

Dental procedures (pain)

Results of acupuncture in postoperative dental pain have been promising and supported by numerous studies.

B

Endoscopy procedure pain

There is good evidence from several studies supporting use of acupuncture to reduce pain and discomfort during endoscopy.

B

Fibromyalgia

There is evidence from several studies suggesting acupuncture may help with pain relief in fibromyalgia.

B

Nausea and vomiting (chemotherapy-induced)

Evidence from several small studies supports use of acupuncture at a specific point on the wrist (P6) to help chemotherapy patients reduce nausea and vomiting.

B

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum)

Several well-designed studies support the use of acupuncture at the P6 wrist point for control of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

B

Nausea and vomiting (postoperative in adults)

Evidence supports acupuncture at the wrist P6 point for the relief of post-operative nausea and vomiting in adults, though most studies have been with women having gynecological surgeries.

B

Osteoarthritis (OA)

There has been substantial research into the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of OA. Most studies focus on knee, cervical, and hip OA symptoms. In recent years, the evidence has improved and is now considered strong enough to recommend trying acupuncture in OA of the knee, which is one of the most common forms of this condition.

B

Pregnancy (reducing back strain)

Early evidence suggests that acupuncture may substantially reduce low back pain in pregnancy. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

B

Tennis elbow

Evidence suggests that there is a reduction of pain and an improvement of function in the afflicted elbow.

B

Alcohol dependence

The evidence on acupuncture in alcoholism is mixed. More studies are needed to evaluate use of acupuncture in this application.

C

Angina pectoris

Some research has suggested that acupuncture might help reduce distress and symptoms of angina, but this has not been consistently shown in other studies.

C

Anxiety

Several studies have reported benefits but have also been small and poorly designed, leaving the evidence on this use of acupuncture inconclusive.

C

Arthritis (periarthritis of the shoulder)

Early study shows promising results. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

C

Asthma

Some research suggests acupuncture may help prevent exercise-induced asthma and that it may reduce the perceived level of breathlessness associated with asthma or emphysema. However, reviewers agree that the available studies are small, poorly designed, and insufficient for making recommendations. A few studies have found no support for the use of acupuncture for asthma.

C

Back pain (chronic)

Evidence is inconsistent regarding the effects of acupuncture in back pain. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

C

Bell's palsy

There is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture in Bell's palsy.

C

Breast cancer (vasomotor symptoms)

Electroacupuncture has been studied to treat vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients. More study is needed before a recommendation can be made.

C

Burn pain

There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against use of acupuncture in pain associated with burns.

C

Cancer pain

There has been limited research on acupuncture for cancer pain, and the research that was done was shown to have mixed results. More studies are needed to determine potential benefits.

C

Cardiovascular conditions (low pulse pressure syndrome)

Acupuncture has been found superior to medication (Shenmai Injection) for low pulse pressure syndrome. More studies are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

C

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Currently there is insufficient evidence available to recommend for or against the use of acupuncture in carpal tunnel syndrome.

C

Cerebral infarction

Acupuncture may regulate metabolic disorder of lipids and improve main clinical symptoms in the patient of cerebral infarction with hyperlipidemia. Better-designed trials are needed to confirm these results.

C

Cerebral palsy

There is insufficient evidence available from well-designed studies to recommend either for or against the use of acupuncture in cerebral palsy.

C

Cervical spondylosis

Both needle-knife therapy and acupuncture have been used to treat cervical spondylosis, with one study showing needle knife therapy as a superior treatment. However, higher-quality studies with appropriate controls are needed before any recommendations can be made.

C

Chronic pain

Higher-quality studies suggest potential benefit for musculoskeletal pain, but overall, studies have been poorly designed, making recommendations difficult.

C

Cognitive performance

There is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against the use of acupuncture in neurogenic cognitive and communication disorders.

C

Colitis

Preliminary study has used acupuncture for acute and chronic colitis. More study is needed before a recommendation can be made.

C

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Overall there is insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations for acupuncture to treat breathlessness in COPD.

C

Dementia

There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of acupuncture in the treatment of vascular dementia.

C

Depression

A small number of studies have sought to compare acupuncture with antidepressant medications used in depression. More studies are needed on this use.

C

Diabetes

There is a lack of well-designed studies to determine the contribution of acupuncture in this condition.

C

Drug addiction

More studies are needed before a recommendation can be made for or against the use of acupuncture in cocaine/opiate addiction.

C

Dry mouth (xerostomia)

There is some limited evidence suggesting that acupuncture may stimulate salivary flow in some patients with xerostomia (dry mouth). More studies of better design are needed to evaluate this use.

C

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)

There is currently not adequate available evidence to recommend for or against acupuncture in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

C

Dyspepsia (functional)

Currently, there is not enough data to recommend for or against the use of acupuncture in functional dyspepsia.

C

Enuresis (bed-wetting)

All of the available studies do not offer evidence strong enough to validate recommendation.

C

Erectile dysfunction

There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against acupuncture in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

C

Fasciitis (back muscles)

Fasciitis is inflammation of the layer of connective tissue that covers, separates, and supports muscles. Acupuncture has been studied in fasciitis of back muscles. More studies using are needed to make any firm conclusions.

C

Headache (migraine, tension, myogenic, unspecified)

Acupuncture may have promise for headaches of the various types, but higher quality studies are needed before recommendations can be made.

C

Hearing loss

Early evidence suggests that deep needling may be more effective in treating sudden deafness than shallow needling. Better-designed trials are needed to reach a firm conclusion.

C

Heart disease

Evidence for recommendation is inconclusive for or against the use of acupuncture in heart disease.

C

Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia is a condition of full or partial paralysis of one side of the body due to disease, trauma or stroke. Various types of acupuncture, such as scalp acupuncture and traditional acupuncture have been used to treat hemiplegia. More study is needed before a recommendation can be made.

C

Hemorrhage (cerebral, vocal cords)

Limited evidence indicates that acupuncture may benefit patients with cerebral hemorrhage or submucosal hemorrhage of vocal cords. Study of acupuncture's effect alone vs. in combination with other therapies, may help make a firm conclusion.

C

High blood pressure

There is insufficient evidence available on which to base any recommendation for or against acupuncture in high blood pressure (hypertension).

C

Hysterectomy

Hand acupuncture has been compared with moxibustion in relieving pain in women who have undergone a hysterectomy, however, it is impossible to reach a firm conclusion at this time.

C

Infertility

More studies are needed to determine the benefits of acupuncture in infertility.

C

Insomnia

Traditional Chinese medicine commonly uses acupuncture to treat insomnia. A review of the available studies found reports of benefit, but major weaknesses in the design of the research makes the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against acupuncture for insomnia.

C

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Although limited evidence suggests benefit may be possible, more studies are needed in order to make recommendations for or against acupuncture in IBS.

C

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes)

There is insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations for keratoconjunctivitis sicca at this time.

C

Kidney disorders

There has been limited research on acupuncture for kidney disorders such as gouty renal damage. There is currently not adequate available evidence to recommend for or against acupuncture in these conditions.

C

Menopausal symptoms

There has been limited research on acupuncture for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and menopause-related hypertension. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against acupuncture.

C

Musculoskeletal problems

There is evidence from several studies suggesting that laser acupuncture therapy may be beneficial for musculoskeletal conditions. However, due to weaknesses in study methods, as well as the wide variety of conditions in this category, it is difficult to make specific recommendations.

C

Nausea and vomiting (postoperative in children)

Several attempts have been made to document benefits of stimulation of the P6 wrist point to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting. Both acupuncture and acupressure wrist bands have been tried. Study results conflict. More trials are needed to make any firm conclusion regarding the use of acupuncture in adults and children.

C

Neck pain

The research on acupuncture for neck pain and cervical myofascial pain, shows mixed results. Thus it is not possible to give specific recommendations at this time.

C

Pain (craniofacial)

There is insufficient evidence available on which to base recommendations for or against acupuncture in craniofacial pain.

C

Parkinson's disease

There is not sufficient evidence available on which to base recommendations for or against acupuncture in Parkinson's disease.

C

Pelvic pain in pregnancy

Acupuncture stimulation may lower levels of pelvic pain intensity in pregnant women, however, more controlled studies are needed to determine the magnitude of benefit, if any, over other methods.

C

Peripheral neuropathy

Wrist-ankle acupuncture has been studied for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, however, there is insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations for use of acupuncture in peripheral nerve injury.

C

Peripheral neuropathy (HIV)

Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made for or against the use of acupuncture in HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy.

C

Polycystic ovary syndrome

There is preliminary evidence suggesting electroacupuncture may increase ovulation in some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, the study design was inadequate to recommend for or against electroacupuncture for this indication.

C

Post-herpetic neuralgia

Overall, the available evidence suggests no benefit of acupuncture over placebo in post-herpetic neuralgia. More studies are needed to draw any firm conclusion.

C

Post-operative pain

Results have been mixed for the effects of both acupuncture and electroacupuncture on pain following surgery (knee arthroscopy, back, abdominal, gastroscopy, breast, pulmonary). Thus there is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture for post-surgical pain.

C

Pregnancy and labor

Acupuncture has been reported to encourage uterine contractions during labor and to reduce the pain of labor. However, results of formal studies are mixed, and the research designs have been weak. More studies are needed to clarify the potential of acupuncture in labor.

C

Pregnancy support

Moxibustion has been used historically in acupuncture to correct cephalic version (breech presentation) by turning the fetus' head in utero. Further studies are needed to determine its role in the correction of breech presentation.

C

Prostatitis (prostate inflammation)

While limited evidence suggests benefit may be possible, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture in prostatitis.

C

Pruritus (itchy skin)

While limited evidence suggests benefit may be possible, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture in uremic cutaneous pruritus.

C

Raynaud's disease

There is insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations for the use of acupuncture in Raynaud's syndrome at this time.

C

Rectal prolapse

While limited evidence suggests benefit may be possible, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture in prolapsed rectum.

C

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Some studies of weak design have reported that acupuncture may relieve pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. However, a well-designed trial was unable to confirm this. More evidence is needed to clarify if or when acupuncture is beneficial in RA.

C

Rhinitis (non-allergic)

There is insufficient available evidence on which to base recommendations for acupuncture in non-allergic rhinitis.

C

Shoulder pain

The available research on acupuncture for shoulder pain of varying causes shows mixed results.

C

Sinusitis (chronic)

More studies are needed of stronger design to determine whether or not acupuncture offers benefit in sinusitis.

C

Skin disorders

There is evidence from several studies suggesting that laser acupuncture therapy may be beneficial for skin conditions. However, due to weaknesses in study methods, as well as the wide variety of conditions in this category, it is difficult to make specific recommendations.

C

Spinal cord injury

Preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture may help spinal injury patients regain some bladder control, although the severity of the injury affects outcomes. More studies are needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

C

Stroke recovery

Several studies have been conducted in stroke rehabilitation. More studies are needed to determine what can be expected in the use of acupuncture with regard to this application.

C

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)

The available evidence suggests acupuncture may be comparable to other forms of conservative treatments. However, the studies that have been performed have major weaknesses that call into question the meaning of the findings. More studies of better design are needed for definitive recommendations.

C

Tourette's syndrome

Based on preliminary evidence, acupuncture may be an effective therapy for Tourette's syndrome. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

C

Trigeminal neuralgia (primary)

Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture in primary trigeminal neuralgia.

C

Urinary tract infection

Early study in women suggests a reduced recurrence over six months and reduced residual urine (urine retained in the bladder after voiding). Better-designed studies are needed to determine recommendations for this use.

C

Urticaria (rash)

Acupuncture plus point-injection has been found beneficial for obstinate urticaria (rash), although more research is needed to confirm these findings.

C

Uterus inflammation

Early study has suggested possible benefit in uterine inflammation. However, there is a lack of well-designed studies on which to base recommendations for or against acupuncture.

C

Vertigo (cervical)

Both jinger moxibustion and acupuncture have been studied for cervical vertigo, although few conclusions can be drawn at this time.

C

Vulvodynia

Subjective observations in one small study suggest a possible role of acupuncture in the treatment of vulvodynia symptoms (chronic burning or stinging sensation of the vulva in the vagina). However, there is currently insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations.

C

Weight loss

Evidence is inconsistent on whether acupuncture might contribute to weight loss. Some studies show modest benefit but others show none. Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to recommend either for or against acupuncture in weight loss.

C

Smoking cessation

Numerous studies of acupuncture for smoking cessation have been conducted, and the quality of studies has varied widely. Results have been inconsistent. Several critical reviews of the research have concluded that the evidence does not support acupuncture as a reliable or effective method for smoking cessation. There may, however, be some benefit in reducing side effects of withdrawal such as irritation, cigarette craving, and headache.

D

Tinnitus

Small trials have been conducted and found no benefits over placebo for the treatment of chronic unilateral or bilateral tinnitus. However, non-controlled case series have found possible benefit. Larger studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

D

Whiplash (adjunct)

Early study does not show that laser acupuncture is any more effective than sham laser acupuncture when used in combination with drugs and other mobilization therapies. More study is needed in this area.

D

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional

Abdominal pain, abnormal menses, acute bacterial dysentery, acute bronchitis, allergies, Alzheimer's disease, analgesia, anorexia, ankylosing spondylitis, aphasia, arm pain, athletic performance, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autonomics, balance disorder, bladder infections, bladder instability, cancer, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiomyopathy, cataract, cervicobrachial syndrome, cesarean section anesthesia, chronic cough, chronic duodenal ulcer, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold, cold-induced pain, collagen-vascular disease, colorectal cancer, cervical vertebropathy, congestive heart failure, conjunctivitis, constipation, degenerative disk disease, delayed onset muscle soreness, dermatitis, diarrhea, digestive disorder, dizziness, dyslexia, ear infection, early morning sickness, eczema, endometriosis, environmental illness, epilepsy, facet syndrome, facial tics, facial paralysis, fatigue (chemotherapy-related), flu, hot flushes in men, hot flushes in breast cancer (tamoxifen-related), frequent urination, gag reflex, gastric hyperacidity, gastritis (acute and chronic), gastroesophageal reflux, gastrointestinal disorders, gingivitis, glaucoma, gynecological disorder, heart failure, herpes, hiccup, HIV-related chronic diarrhea, hypercholesterolemia, immune system tonification, incision of abscesses, incontinence, increased milk production, inflammatory bowel disease, intercostal neuralgia, intestinal occlusion, itch, jet lag, learning disorder, low energy, lumbago, maintaining health, male subfertility, memory impairment, Meniere's disease, menstrual irregularity, mental illness, mood swings, multiple sclerosis, muscle cramping, muscle strength, muscle weakness, myobacteriosis, myocardial infarction, myopia, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, nose infection, overeating, overuse syndromes, pain from duodenal ulcer disease, pain in children, pain from spinal cord injuries, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, paralysis, paralysis secondary to poliomyelitis, paralytic ileus, patellofemoral pain, peptic ulcer, periarthritis humeroscapularis, phantom limb pain, pharyngitis, placental detachment, plantar fasciitis, poor vision, posttraumatic pain syndromes, premenstrual syndrome, pre-term contractions, psoriasis, psychological stress, psychosis, pulmonary disease, recurrent chest infection, recurrent headaches, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, renal colic, respiratory-tract illness, retinitis, schizoaffective disorder, sciatica, scleroderma, sedative, sensory disturbances, sensorineural hearing loss, soft-tissue contusions, sore throat, spasm of the esophagus and cardia, spastic colon, spinal stenosis, sports injuries, sprains, strains, stress related illnesses, stutter, Syndrome X, tardive dyskinesia, tension, thoracic pain, tonsillitis, toothache, travel sickness, ulcers, urinary incontinence, uterine fibroids, wound healing.