Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting fine needles or applying heat at specific acupuncture points. Acupuncture has been used in China for over 2,500 years for both medical treatment and general health improvement. Today Acupuncture is used in virtually all countries as a proven therapeutic technique and in a 2007 survey over 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children reported using Acupuncture.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.

Is Acupuncture Effective?

Acupuncture is often effective with many chronic conditions such as back pain, migraines, allergies, stress, depression and others. Also people who have been receiving acupuncture regularly reported increase in their energy levels, a better understanding and appreciation of their own body, being sick less often and recovering faster, reduction in long term health care costs, having more control over their own health, and other benefits. 

The World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. National Cancer Institute together report Acupuncture as an effective treatment option for more than 40 specific conditions. The National Cancer Institute further reports, “the effect of acupuncture on the immune system of cancer patients showed that it improved immune system response.”

Conditions That Can be Treated by Acupuncture

While there are numerous conditions where clinical studies have shown acupuncture as effective, some of the major conditions where effectiveness is demonstrated includes:

 See the full list of conditions from the World Health Organization research.