What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture – a time-honored medicine
Thousands of years ago, the Chinese developed a system of using tiny needles to stimulate certain points on the body to correct imbalances and improve circulation (the needles weren’t so tiny back then but they are super-fine now). It’s a very elegant and thoughtful form of medicine that has persevered through the centuries because it considers the entire body and mind—and even the natural environment—in treating a problem. In Chinese medicine, we don’t just treat symptoms, we address the source of the issue.
Evolving Research
There is good research showing acupuncture’s benefits for a variety of conditions, including helping with fertility and other women’s health issues and treating pain.
Could there be better research? Definitely. Is it a panacea for everything under the sun? No. I think acupuncture is very effective for certain problems (see below for some of the research), and it also works well in conjunction with conventional medicine. Two of the most advanced medical centers in the world, The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, offer acupuncture to patients, and hospitals around the country routinely recommend it.
Acupuncture – a time-honored medicine
Thousands of years ago, the Chinese developed a system of using tiny needles to stimulate certain points on the body to correct imbalances and improve circulation (the needles weren’t so tiny back then but they are super-fine now). It’s a very elegant and thoughtful form of medicine that has persevered through the centuries because it considers the entire body and mind—and even the natural environment—in treating a problem. In Chinese medicine, we don’t just treat symptoms, we address the source of the issue.
Evolving Research
There is good research showing acupuncture’s benefits for a variety of conditions, including helping with fertility and other women’s health issues and treating pain.
Could there be better research? Definitely. Is it a panacea for everything under the sun? No. I think acupuncture is very effective for certain problems (see below for some of the research), and it also works well in conjunction with conventional medicine. Two of the most advanced medical centers in the world, The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, offer acupuncture to patients, and hospitals around the country routinely recommend it.
What does it feel like?
What does it feel like?
What the research says
Acupuncture and fertility
Acupuncture and back pain
A 2013 research review published in the Clinical Journal of Pain found that acupuncture may help relieve low back pain—especially acute pain—better than medication. A 2007 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that both true and “sham” acupuncture worked significantly better than conventional treatment for back pain (drugs, physical therapy and exercise) over six months, meaning there was a strong placebo effect—but even the placebo was better than taking pain medication!
Acupuncture and fibromyalgia
Acupuncture and painful periods
A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that acupuncture can help relieve pain and improve quality of life in women with dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
Acupuncture and fertility
Acupuncture and back pain
A 2013 research review published in the Clinical Journal of Pain found that acupuncture may help relieve low back pain—especially acute pain—better than medication. A 2007 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that both true and “sham” acupuncture worked significantly better than conventional treatment for back pain (drugs, physical therapy and exercise) over six months, meaning there was a strong placebo effect—but even the placebo was better than taking pain medication!
Acupuncture and fibromyalgia
Acupuncture and painful periods
A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that acupuncture can help relieve pain and improve quality of life in women with dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
Acupuncture and headaches
Acupuncture and arthritis
Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can help alleviate the pain associated with arthritis of the knee and hip.
Acupuncture and chronic pain
A 2012 Archives of Internal Medicine research review found that “acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is therefore a reasonable referral option.” The study looked at back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and headache.
Acupuncture and cancer treatment
The National Cancer Institute reports that acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system and help relieve some side effects of cancer treatment, including pain and especially nausea.
Acupuncture and headaches
Acupuncture and arthritis
Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can help alleviate the pain associated with arthritis of the knee and hip.
Acupuncture and chronic pain
A 2012 Archives of Internal Medicine research review found that “acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is therefore a reasonable referral option.” The study looked at back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and headache.
Acupuncture and cancer treatment
The National Cancer Institute reports that acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system and help relieve some side effects of cancer treatment, including pain and especially nausea.