Conditions Treated with Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of conditions. Modern research continues to validate the effectiveness of this ancient healing art for many health concerns.

Below are the conditions reviewed in the World Health Organization's report on controlled clinical trials of acupuncture, grouped by area of health.

✓

Shown effective in controlled trials

Controlled clinical trials found acupuncture to be an effective treatment.

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Some evidence of benefit

A therapeutic effect has been shown, but more research is needed.

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In-depth guide

Tap a highlighted condition to read our detailed guide.

Pain & Musculoskeletal

Shown effective in controlled trials

Biliary colicFacial pain(including craniomandibular disorders)HeadacheKnee painLow back painNeck painPain in dentistry(including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)Periarthritis of shoulderPostoperative painRenal colicRheumatoid arthritisSciaticaSprainTennis elbow

Some evidence of benefit

Cancer painFibromyalgia and fasciitisGouty arthritisNeuralgia, post-herpeticOsteoarthritisPain due to endoscopic examinationPain in thromboangiitis obliteransPost-extubation in childrenPostoperative convalescenceRadicular and pseudoradicular pain syndromeRaynaud syndrome, primaryReflex sympathetic dystrophySpine pain, acuteStiff neckTemporomandibular joint dysfunctionTietze syndrome

Women's Health & Pregnancy

Shown effective in controlled trials

Dysmenorrhoea, primaryInduction of laborMalposition of fetus, correctionMenstrual crampsMorning sickness

Some evidence of benefit

Female infertilityFemale urethral syndromeHypo-ovarianLabour painLactation, deficiencyPolycystic ovary syndrome(Stein-Leventhal syndrome)Premenstrual syndrome

Digestive Health

Shown effective in controlled trials

Dysentery, acute bacillaryEpigastralgia, acute(in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)Nausea and vomiting

Some evidence of benefit

Abdominal pain(in acute gastroenteritis or due to gastrointestinal spasm)Cholecystitis, chronic, with acute exacerbationCholelithiasisGastrokinetic disturbanceHepatitis B virus carrier statusUlcerative colitis, chronic

Neurological & Mental Health

Shown effective in controlled trials

Depression(including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)Stroke

Some evidence of benefit

Alcohol dependence and detoxificationBell's palsyCardiac neurosisCompetition stress syndromeCraniocerebral injury, closedFacial spasmInsomniaMénière diseaseOpium, cocaine and heroin dependenceSchizophreniaTobacco dependenceTourette syndromeVascular dementia

Respiratory, ENT & Skin

Shown effective in controlled trials

Allergic rhinitis(including hay fever)

Some evidence of benefit

Acne vulgarisBronchial asthmaEaracheEpidemic hemorrhagic feverEpistaxis, simple(without generalized or local disease)Eye pain due to subconjunctival injectionHerpes zoster(human (alpha) herpesvirus 3)NeurodermatitisPruritusSialism, drug-induced(excessive salivation)Sjögren syndromeSore throat(including tonsillitis)Whooping cough(pertussis)

Cardiovascular & Metabolic

Shown effective in controlled trials

Hypertension, essentialHypotension, primaryLeukopenia

Some evidence of benefit

Diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependentHyperlipaemiaObesity

Urinary & Men's Health

Some evidence of benefit

Male sexual dysfunction, non-organicProstatitis, chronicRecurrent lower urinary-tract infectionRetention of urine, traumaticUrolithiasis

Source: World Health Organization, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials (2003). The review reflects the studies available at the time and has been criticized for including smaller, lower-quality trials; for some conditions, later reviews have reached weaker conclusions. Acupuncture is best used alongside, not instead of, care from your physician. Ask us about your specific condition.