Beyond asking “Does acupuncture hurt?” many people also ask about how it can help. And, acupuncture has been found to be effective at treating many different types of diseases and conditions.
Acupuncture in the U.S. is most often used to treat pain conditions, such as lower back pain and headaches. Many others, however, have found its use (along with prescribed herbs) to help with conditions when traditional methods of medicine didn’t work. While research is still exploring exactly why acupuncture works, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that acupuncture may help with pain because it activates opioid systems in the brain that help regulate and manage pain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report in 2003 noting that acupuncture may be used for up to 28 different conditions.
For some conditions, acupuncture has been proven effective through the use of controlled trials, while other treatment areas require more rigorous study and further proof. There is evidence that acupuncture can help treat:
- Depression
- Dysmenorrhoea (extreme menstrual cramps)
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Hypertension and hypotension
- Knee pain
- Leukopenia
- Lower back pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck pain
- Dental pain
- Periarthritis of the shoulder
- Postoperative pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Sprains
- Stroke
- Tennis elbow
While further research is needed, the World Health Organization has also found evidence of acupuncture’s benefits for cancer pain, fibromyalgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, osteoarthritis, and chronic prostatitis.
In addition to using acupuncture for specific health concerns, many people also use acupuncture as a preventative measure. In traditional Chinese medicine, semi-regular tune-ups are more common than treatments based on specific health conditions. Preventative care may entail two to four visits throughout the year and may help re-balance the body, promote health, and prevent disease.
Contact Best Acupuncture NYC to know how acupuncture can help you treat your condition without any side-effects.