How

does
acupuncture
work?
Medically
reviewed
by Yamini
Ranchod,
PhD, MS
on
December
21, 2017 —
Written by
Yvette
Brazier

What is acupuncture
How does it work?
Uses
Benefits
What to expect
Risks

Acupuncture
ADVERTISEMENT is !

a
form
of
treatment
that
involves
inserting
very
thin
needles
through
a
person's
skin
at
specific
points
on
the
body,
to
various
depths.

Research
suggests
that
it
can
help
relieve
pain,
and
it
is
used
for
a
wide
range
of
other
complaints.

However,
according
to
the
National
Center
for
Complementary
and
Integrative
Health
(NCCIH),
there
is
limited
evidence
for
its
effectiveness
in
areas
other
than
pain.

How
acupuncture
works
scientifically
remains
unclear.
Some
people
claim
it
works
by
balancing
vital
energy,
while
others
believe
it
has
a
neurological
effect.

Acupuncture
remains
controversial
among
Western
medical
doctors
and
scientists.

What
is
acupuncture?

A
c
u
p
u
n
c
t
u
r
e
i
n
v
o
l
v
e
s
i
n
s
e
r
t
i
n
g
n
e
e
d
l
e
s
a
t
c
e
r
t
a
i
n
p
o
i
n
t
s
o
f
t
h
e
b
o
d
y
.

An
acupuncurist
will
insert
needles
into
a
person's
body
with
the
aim
of
balancing
their
energy.
This,
it
is
claimed,
can
help
boost
wellbeing
and
may
cure
some
illnesses.

Conditions
it
is
used
for
include
different
kinds
of
pain,
such
as
headaches,
blood
pressure
problems,
and
whooping
cough,
among
others.

How
does
it
work?
An
acupuncurist
will
insert
needles
into
a
person's
body
with
the
aim
of
balancing
their
energy.

This,
it
is
claimed,
can
help
boost
wellbeing
and
may
cure
some
illnesses.

Conditions
it
is
used
for
include
different
kinds
of
pain,
such
as
headaches,
blood
pressure
problems,
and
whooping
cough,
among
others.

There
is
no
scientific
proof
that
the
meridians
or
acupuncture
points
exist,
and
it
is
hard
to
prove
that
they
either
do
or
do
not,
but
numerous
studies
suggest
that
acupuncture
works
for
some
conditions.

Some
experts
have
used
neuroscience
to
explain
acupuncture.
Acupuncture
points
are
seen
as
places
where
nerves,
muscles,
and
connective
tissue
can
be
stimulated.
The
stimulation
increases
blood
flow,
while
at
the
same
time
triggering
the
activity
of
the
body's
natural
painkillers.

It
is
difficult
to
set
up
investigations
using
proper
scientific
controls,
because
of
the
invasive
nature
of
acupuncture.
In
a
clinical
study,
a
control
group
would
have
to
undergo
sham
treatment,
or
a
placebo,
for
results
to
be
compared
with
those
of
genuine
acupuncture.

Some
studies
have
concluded
that
acupuncture
offers
similar
benefits
to
a
patient
as
a
placebo,
but
others
have
indicated
that
there
are
some
real
benefits.

Uses
Traditional
Chinese
medicine
explains
that
health
is
the
result
of
a
harmonious
balance
of
the
complementary
extremes
of
"yin"
and
"yang"
of
the
life
force
known
as
"qi,"
pronounced
"chi."
Illness
is
said
to
be
the
consequence
of
an
imbalance
of
the
forces.

Qi
is
said
to
flow
through
meridians,
or
pathways,
in
the
human
body.
These
meridiens
and
energy
flows
are
accessible
through
350
acupuncture
points
in
the
body.

low
back
pain

neck
pain

osteoarthritis

knee
pain
 headache
and
migraine

Inserting
needles
into
these
points
with
appropriate
combinations
is
said
to
bring
the
energy
flow
back
into
proper
balance.

There
is
no
scientific
proof
that
the
meridians
or
acupuncture
points
exist,
and
it
is
hard
to
prove
that
they
either
do
or
do
not,
but
numerous
studies
suggest
that
acupuncture
works
for
some
conditions.
Some
experts
have
used
neuroscience
to
explain
acupuncture.
Acupuncture
points
are
seen
as
places
where
nerves,
muscles,
and
connective
tissue
can
be
stimulated.
The
stimulation
increases
blood
flow,
while
at
the
same
time
triggering
the
activity
of
the
body's
natural
painkillers.

high
and
low
blood
pressure

chemotherapy-
induced
nausea
and
vomiting

some
gastric
conditions,
including
peptic
ulcer
 painful
periods

dysentery

allergic
rhinitis

facial
pain

morning
sickness

rheumatoid
arthritis

sprains

tennis
elbow

sciatica

dental
pain

reducing
the
risk
of
stroke

inducing
labor

It
is
difficult
to
set
up
investigations
using
proper
scientific
controls,
because
of
the
invasive
nature
of
acupuncture.
In
a
clinical
study,
a
control
group
would
have
to
undergo
sham
treatment,
or
a
placebo,
for
results
to
be
compared
with
those
of
genuine
acupuncture.

fibromyalgia

neuralgia

post-
operative
convalescence

substance,
tobaccor
and
alcohol
dependence

spine
pain

stiff
 neck

vascular
dementia

whooping
cough,
or
pertussis

Tourette
syndrome

Some
studies
have
concluded
that
acupuncture
offers
similar
benefits
to
a
patient
as
a
placebo,
but
others
have
indicated
that
there
are
some
real
benefits.

They
point
out,
however,
that
"only
national
health
authorities
can
determine
the
diseases,
symptoms,
and
conditions
for
which
acupuncture
treatment
can
be
recommended."
Benefits
Research
carried
out
in
Germany
has
shown
that
acupuncture
may
help
relieve
tension
headaches
and
migraines.
 low
back
pain

neck
pain

osteoarthritis

knee
pain

headache
and
migraine

They
list
additional
disorders
that
may
benefit
from
acupuncture,
but
which
require
further
scientific
confirmation.
Risks
Acupuncture
can
be
beneficial
in
that:

The
NCCIH
advise
people
not
to
use
acupuncture
instead
of
seeing
a
conventional
health
care
provider.

It
is
dangerous
if
a
patient
has
a
bleeding
disorder
or
takes
blood
thinners.

Bleeding,
bruising,
and
soreness
may
occur
at
the
insertion
sites.

Unsterilized
needles
may
infect
the
patient.

In
rare
cases,
a
needle
may
break
and
damage
an
internal
organ.

When
inserted
deeply
into
the
chest
or
upper
back,
there
is
a
risk
of
collapsed
lung,
but
this
is
 very
rare.

The
United
States
(U.S.)
Food
and
Drug
Administration
(FDA)
regulate
acupuncture
needles
as
medical
devices.
Their
manufacture
and
labelling
needs
to
meet
certain
standards.
The
needles
must
be
sterile,
nontoxic,
and
labelled
for
one
use
only,
by
a
licensed
practitioner.

As
with
any
complementary
therapy,
it
is
advisable
to
use
it
alongside
conventional
treatments
in
cases
of
chronic
or
severe
illness.

How
do
I
find
an
acupuncturist?

To
find
a
licensed
practitioner,
visit
the
website
for
the
National
Certification
Commission
in
Acupuncture
and
Oriental
Medicine
(NCCAOM).
Most
states
require
practitioners
to
be
licensed
by
this
board.
People
are
advised
to
ask
practitioners
about
their
experience
and
training.

The
NCCIH
point
out
that
some
insurance
policies
now
cover
acupuncture,
but
it
is
important
to
check
first
whether
the
cost
will
be
covered.

According
to
Costhelper
Health,
an
acupuncture
session
and
medical
consultation
will
cost
from
$75
to
$95,
and
a
routine
visit
will
cost
between
$50
and
$70.

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