"I often inform my patients, and those considering acupuncture, that this medicine can address nearly any condition you might consult an allopathic physician or family doctor for. While acupuncture is widely recognized for its success in pain management and injury recovery, what’s less known is its potential to benefit those with virtually any disease—yes, any disease. Interestingly, over half of my patients visit regularly not just for the ‘treatment for what ails them’, but as a preventive measure, much like giving your car a routine oil change.

After all, maintaining your health when you're well can be just as, if not more, beneficial than waiting until something goes wrong.

Here you will find a non-exhaustive list of conditions that Chinese medicine effectively treats, accompanied by research-backed meta-analyses and studies that showcase the power of this ancient yet remarkably relevant practice. I hope to see you in the clinic soon!

  • This large-scale meta-analysis, which included nearly 18,000 patients, found that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain, including back, neck, and joint pain, confirming that it is more than just a placebo effect.

    Vickers, A. J., et al. (2012). “Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.” Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(19), 1444-1453.

  • This Cochrane review found that acupuncture could reduce the frequency of tension-type headaches and may be at least as effective as conventional preventive medication.

    Linde, K., et al. (2016). “Acupuncture for the Prevention of Tension-Type Headache.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4):CD007587.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27121921/

  • This review discusses various studies showing acupuncture’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety, highlighting its role in modulating stress-related neurochemicals.

    Errington-Evans, N. (2012). “Acupuncture for Anxiety.” CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 18(4), 277-284.

  • This systematic review found that acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality and duration compared to no treatment or sham acupuncture

    Cao, H., et al. (2009). “Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(11), 1171-1186.

  • This meta-analysis showed that acupuncture can significantly reduce the symptoms of IBS, including bloating and pain

    MacPherson, H., et al. (2017). “Acupuncture for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 29(12):e13182

  • This Cochrane review found that acupuncture may help reduce menstrual pain, with some evidence suggesting it may be more effective than conventional medical treatment.

    Smith, C. A., et al. (2016). “Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhoea.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4):CD007854.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27123594/

  • This study found that acupuncture significantly reduced symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis compared to control groups

    Brinkhaus, B., et al. (2013). “Acupuncture in Patients with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Trial.” Annals of Internal Medicine, 158(4), 225-234.

  • This study showed that acupuncture, alongside counseling, was effective in reducing depression symptoms, particularly in primary care settings

    MacPherson, H., et al. (2013). “Acupuncture and Counseling for Depression in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” PLoS Medicine, 10(9):e1001518.

  • This study demonstrated that acupuncture provided significant pain relief and improved function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

    Witt, C. M., et al. (2006). “Acupuncture in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Trial.” The Lancet, 366(9480), 136-143.

  • Acupuncture is used in addiction treatment to reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms and support overall recovery by balancing the body’s energy and emotional state

    White, A., et al. (2014). “Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1):CD000009.

  • This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving over 17,000 patients found that acupuncture was associated with significant reductions in chronic pain, including cancer pain. The study highlighted that acupuncture provided better pain relief compared to both placebo and standard care.

    Source: Vickers, A. J., et al. (2012). Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis. JAMA.

    This meta-analysis included studies showing that acupuncture significantly reduces post-operative pain and the need for opioid analgesics. It found that patients receiving acupuncture reported lower pain scores and required fewer pain medications compared to control groups.

    Wu, M. S., et al. (2020). Acupuncture for postoperative pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med.

  • This randomized controlled trial involved 99 patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. The results showed that the group receiving acupuncture experienced significant improvements in fatigue levels, physical functioning, and overall well-being compared to the control group, who received sham acupuncture.

    Wang, S. M., et al. (2014). Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. JACM.