Does Acupuncture Work?

• Pain Management: The most common use of acupuncture is for pain, usually chronic and post-operative. Clinical tests show that acupuncture relieved pain in 60-75% of patients, while placebo (control) only helped 30% of the patients. After countless tests had been performed, it had been concluded that acupuncture was significantly more effective in relieving pain than placebo.
• Headaches and Neck Pain: Studies have shown that acupuncture did in fact reduce the amount of medication dosage and frequency of headaches and neck pain. It was also proven to be more effective than placebo in a majority of studies. A study with migraine headaches concluded that acupuncture was more effective than placebo but just as effective as standard treatment. However, acupuncture produced fewer side effects than standard treatment. Not many studies have been performed to determine whether or not acupuncture is effective in treating neck pain. However, the few studies that have been performed concluded that it was more effective than placebo.
• Musculoskeletal pain: Electro-acupuncture was compared to sham in the treatment of fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes muscoloskeletal pain, fatigue, and discomfort in the abdomen. Electro-acupuncture proved to be more effective. In addition, patients that received it reported better sleep, experienced less pain, and took less medication. Osteoarthritic patients that received acupuncture around the knee reported less pain and increased function than those with the control.
• Postoperative Pain: Randomized studies have been performed to determine if acupuncture was effective in relieving dental pain after a wisdom tooth extraction. Acupuncture was found to be more helpful than placebo. In addition, acupuncture and medication together proved to be more beneficial for patients than just medication. A few tests have been carried out for other types of postoperative pain. So far, acupuncture has been more effective than placebo in countless studies.
• Back Pain and Tennis Elbow: Several studies have been performed and it has been determined that acupuncture has reduced VAS assessed pain more than placebo in patients. It was also found that acupuncture helped reduce back pain significantly when given in conjunction with therapy. Acupuncture reduced the duration and level of pain more than placebo in patients with tennis elbow.
• Asthma: Several random control studies have indicated that a single acupuncture treatment reduces asthmatic symptoms, airway resistance, forced expiratory flow volume, and thoracic gas volume more than no-treatment. Another study concluded that acupuncture administered 20 minutes before exercise reduced the number of attacks more than no-treatment. Although acupuncture leads to short-term relief from acupuncture, results for long-term relief from asthma are inconclusive. There is insufficient amount of data to support the claim that is it effective in long-term relief.
• Pregnancy-induced vomiting/nausea: A study stated that acupressure was more effective than sham therapy in reducing nausea, but not vomiting. However, another study showed no difference in those with acupressure and those with placebo.
• Drug and alcohol abuse: Studies in Hong Kong have showed that acupuncture administered to the ear caused patients to report fewer symptoms, including pain, nausea, and vomiting. It eased withdrawal (opium) by causing the release of endogenous hormones. Acupuncture is used during detoxification to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal, aches, and pains. It is also used to relieve depression and promote relaxation. A random study concluded that acupuncture was more effective in reducing the withdrawal symptoms in patients with alcohol abuse. However, another study showed contradictory results. More studies must be carried out to determine acupuncture抯 effectiveness in stopping substance abuse and its effects.