Is Acupuncture the Miracle Remedy for Everything?

Acupuncture sounds scary, but there’s proof it could help — a lot . If you’re new to holistic healing as a type of treatment, acupuncture can seem a bit terrifying. How could pressing needles into your skin possibly make you feel better? Doesn’t that hurt?

Well, no, it’s definitely not the overtly painful procedure you may be imagining, andconsideringthat it’s been studied and practiced for over 2,500 yearsTrusted Source, it seems acupuncture enthusiasts could seriously be onto something. Some people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a “miracle” to improving their quality of life because it’s said to be able to treat everything from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.

If you listen to devotees, the prickly treatment sounds almost like a wonderful cure-all — but is it? Let’s take a closer look.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine-based approach to treating a variety of conditions by triggering specific points on the skin with needles. Paul Kempisty, licensed acupuncturist with a MS in traditional Oriental medicine, explains, “[Acupuncture is] a minimally invasive method to stimulate nerve-rich areas of the skin surface in order to influence tissues, gland, organs, and various functions of the body.”

“Each acupuncture needle produces a tiny injury at the insertion site, and although it’s slight enough to cause little to no discomfort, it’s enough of a signal to let the body know it needs to respond,” Kempisty says. “This response involves stimulation of the immune system, promoting circulation to the area, wound healing, and pain modulation.” Contemporary research on acupuncture relies mainly on this theory.

What’s the philosophy behind acupuncture?

The Chinese philosophy behind acupuncture is a bit more complicated, as the ancient practice isn’t traditionally based in science and medicine. “They believed that the human body was filled with and animated by an invisible life-giving force which they called ‘qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’) and when the qi was flowing well and going to all the right places, then a person would experience good mental and physical health. When the qi was flowing incorrectly (blocked or deficient) that would result in illness,” says Kempisty.

The concept of qi isn’t too out there — think of it as your body’s natural inner workings. Sometimes you’re more prone to illness when feeling stressed or anxious. When you’re relaxed and healthy, your body physically reflects that too. After all, your mood, mental health, and general well-being do affect your physical health. Thus, acupuncture aims to assist people in achieving balance, or qi, and, as a result, provide relief for many ailments.

What does acupuncture do?

You may be interested in acupuncture for a variety of reasons — for example, I sought treatment for my chronic headaches and sinus pressure — as there are countlessconditions and symptoms that acupuncture has been said to help with. Here are just some of the many claims:

• allergies
• anxiety and depressionTrusted Source
• osteoarthritisTrusted Source
• chronic painTrusted Source, often in the neck, back, knees, and head
• hypertension
• insomniaTrusted Source
• menstrual cramps and PMSTrusted Source
• migrainesTrusted Source
• morning sickness
• sprains
• strokes

Some studies even suggest that acupuncture can help with cancer treatment and multiple sclerosis, however research for these conditions is limited and requires larger studies to confirm the benefits.

While there’s no evidence that acupuncture is a miracle cure-all, it does seem to have some evidence as a worth-while treatment for people who may have multiple conditions and illnesses. There’s a reason it’s been around for more than 2,500 years and as research grows, so will our knowledge of exactly what works and what does.

Incorporating acupuncture into real life

For now, if you have a condition that acupuncture does have scientific backing for, here’s what to expect from a session: an acupuncture* session to last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, though most of this time may be spent discussing your symptoms and concerns with your practitioner sans needles. The actual treatment portion of acupuncture may last around 30 minutes, though you don’t necessarily have needles in your skin for that long!

In terms of results, it’s nearly impossible to say what one should expect, as everyone responds to and experiences acupuncture differently.

“There is no universal response to acupuncture. Some people feel relaxed and may be a little tired, others feel energized and ready for anything,” Kempisty explains. “Some people experience an improvement right away and for others it can take several treatments before noticing a positive change.”

The mostcommon response to acupuncture, however?

“People feel happy and content,” Kempisty says. “It’s hard to put into words but there’s a distinct balanced and harmonious feeling that acupuncture gives most people and it just feels good!” You may also feel tired after a treatment and see changes in your eating, sleeping, or bowel habits, or experience no changes at all.

How do I find an acupuncturist?

“If you know someone who has had a positive experience with an acupuncturist, ask that person for a personal referral or introduction. That’s usually the best way, as like-minded people often keep each other’s company,” Kempisty says.

Be sure to see a licensed acupuncturist (they should have LAc after their name). A licensed acupuncturist is required to pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam or complete the NCCAOM program in the foundations of Oriental medicine, acupuncture*, and biomedicine. Some certification requirements slightly differ by state however: for example, California has its own licensing exam. You can also look online for certified acupuncturists in your area.

How much does an acupuncturist cost?

The cost of an acupuncture session depends on where you live and on whether or not the practitioner takes your insurance. For example, The UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine charges $124 per session, without insurance. According to Thumbtack, a company that connects customers to professionals, the average cost for an acupuncturist in San Francisco, California is $85 per session. The average cost of an acupuncturist in Austin, Texas and Saint Louis, Missouri ranges from $60-85 per session.

What to do if there’s no acupuncturist in your town

You should never try acupuncture on your own. Not only may it worsen your symptoms, Kempisty insists “that wouldn’t be a good way to balance your qi.” Instead, Kempisty recommends “Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation [and learning] simple self-massage techniques to promote the flow of energy into your aroma and different parts of your body,” if you’re looking for ways to gain similar benefits at home. Pressing these points is known as acupressure.

Lisa Chan, LAc and certified reflexologist, provided some insight as to which points on your body you can massage on your own.

If you’re experiencing menstrual cramps, for example, “hold the hollow of your inner ankle with your thumb, using little or no pressure.” This covers points K 3, 4, and 5. If you’re having trouble sleeping, rub in circles the “Yintang,” located between the eyebrows, going clockwise, then counter-clockwise. To help ease lower back pain, Chan recommends pressing “Du 26,” the space between the middle of your nose and upper lip.

The most popular pressure point is the “LI 4” (large intestine 4), and for good reason. Pressing this point, located on the muscle between your thumb and index finger, is meant to help alleviate headaches, toothaches, stress, and facial and neck pain. Don’t press this point if you’re pregnant, unless you’re ready for labor. In that case, it could help induce contractions.

If you’re unsure of how or where to start, consult with a certified reflexologist or acupuncturist. A professional can demonstrate where and how to apply pressure properly. Acupuncture is recognized as safe and beneficial for many conditions, but it’s not a cure-all for everything — you should still be taking your medications. But while it may not eliminate your symptoms, it could still ease them. So it may be worth a try, especially when it comes to chronic pain.

If you’re still skeptical, talk to your doctor about your concerns. They’ll look at your symptoms, medical history, and overall health to help determine if acupuncture is right for you.

Back pain (especially lower back pain) is a common chronic pain issue. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese physical therapy that has become a popular and well-researched method for managing this pain.

How acupuncture helps back pain

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy based on the idea of energetics in the body.

Treatment consists of inserting needles at various pressure points on the body and through the skin. Needles are not meant to cause pain, harm, or discomfort.

A professional acupuncturist will target energy (or “qi” in Chinese medicine) points for treatment. These are also called meridians, with some being of special benefit to painful nerves and muscles in the back.

There are a few qi meridians that an acupuncturist may focus on for back pain.

Some acupuncture points for lower back pain are:

• back of the knees points
• foot points
• lower back points
• hand points
• hip points
• stomach points

Points for upper back pain (also called thoracic back pain) are usually different. These are found on the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back.

By stimulating these points, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated to relieve pain. Acupuncture can also provide pain relief from other similar neuromuscular issues for which there may not be too many pain remedy options.

These include:

• headaches
• fibromyalgia
• musculoskeletal pain
• post-surgery recovery
• sciatica
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)

Is acupuncture backed by science?

It’s not completely understood how acupuncture works. But, there are a few ways by which acupuncture is thought to work for back pain:

• Stimulates nervous system. Trigger points stimulated by acupuncture could release chemicals from the spinal cord, muscles, and brain. Some of these could be naturally pain-relieving.
• Releases opioid-like chemicals produced in the body. Along the same lines as the theory above, acupuncture may release pain-relieving chemicals. These naturally occur in the body and have similar properties to opioid pain relievers. (Hydrocodone or morphine are examples.)
• Releases neurotransmitters. These are hormones that send messages regulating the on/off mechanisms of various nerve endings. Acupuncture may stimulate some that shut off pain.
• Triggers electromagnetic impulses in the body. These impulses can help speed the body’s way of handling pain, including the release of endorphins.

Regardless of how it works, trials on acupuncture for treating back pain show great results with very little risk of side effects.

Some 2012 researchTrusted Source involved reviewing almost 20,000 people with chronic pain. They were given authentic acupuncture treatments, fake treatments, or no acupuncture at all. Those who received real acupuncture experienced 50 percent improvement in their chronic pain issues.

Two similar reviews from 2013 showed strong favor for acupuncture as successful therapy. These were specifically for chronic lower back pain.

One these studies expressed promise that acupuncture could be better than most pain medications. The other study revealed that success depends on certain limitations to how therapy is administered.

What you should know about back pain and acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe procedure and therapy when you see a professional certified acupuncturist.

Avoid receiving acupuncture from someone who is not qualified or certified. It helps to do background research on a practitioner. Or, talk to someone you trust who has seen an acupuncturist for back pain. Ask them about practitioners they would recommend or refer.

People who have received acupuncture sometimes report soreness, bruising, and minor bleeding at puncture sites. These issues should clear up and go away in a few days. It also poses little to no risk to overall health.

If you’re pregnant, certain types of acupuncture could stimulate labor and delivery. Talk to your acupuncturist about your pregnancy beforehand.

If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, acupuncture poses some health risks. Make sure to discuss your issues and medications with your acupuncturist before therapy. Bleeding can happen during the therapy, though this is rare.

Needles must be sterile and disposable. But, make sure to keep puncture sites clean after each session to prevent risk of infection. Risk of infection is small if you see a well-trained professional.

How to get acupuncture for back pain

If you want to try acupuncture for relief from back pain, you may want to talk to your regular doctor first. Make sure to discuss whether acupuncture would be best for you.

There is also the question of cost. A single session can range from about $60 to $130, and many health insurance plans do not cover it.

Before setting up an appointment, also make sure that you contact a professional licensed in your state. An acupuncturist should have proper training, licensing, and certification to administer safe treatments. Each state has a board of health that monitors and registers acupuncture practices.

There are ways to use the internet to find a qualified and certified acupuncturist in your area. One way is check the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) directory.

However, keep in mind that one acupuncture treatment does not provide a cure for back pain. While relief is reportedly successful, it’s likely you’ll need long-term treatment. Acupuncture commonly takes numerous treatments over time for the best outcome.

Even if your first session was successful, expect to schedule more appointments. Also, expect that pain can and does usually return. If it does, you’ll have to schedule another series of sessions.

Most people may invest in a weekly session until they experience improvement. Afterward, they start scheduling sessions further apart, such as every other week, then monthly.

Acupuncture was developed by traditional Chinese medical practitioners to treat a wide range of health problems. Once only used in Eastern cultures, it has gradually gained acceptance by medical professionals in the West. Acupuncture is now commonly used to treat everything from pain, stress, and nausea. Lesser-known uses, such as the treatment of allergies, are also gaining popularity.

History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that started in what is now China. It’s based on the belief that life energy, called qi, pronounced “chee,” flows throughout the body along pathways called meridians. By inserting thin needles at specific points, called “acupuncture points,” skilled practitioners seek to restore the flow of energy to eliminate pain and other ailments.

Western medicine doesn’t accept the traditional explanation of acupuncture’s mechanism of action. No evidence that meridians exist has ever been documented by modern science, but despite ongoing questions regarding how it works, science has shown that at least in some instances, it does work. Pain relief is one example. Controlled clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can relieve pain, sometimes better than drugs, in conditions such as chronic lower back pain, migraines, neck pain, and post-operative pain.

Acupuncture and Allergies and Eczema

What about using acupuncture for the treatment of allergies and eczema? Preliminary research indicates that acupuncture may help allergy and eczema symptoms.

Researchers at the University Medical Center in Berlin conducted a large, multi-center studyTrusted Source of the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. The study divided 422 people into three groups for two months: one group received acupuncture treatment, the second received “fake” acupuncture, with needles placed in random, meaningless spots on their bodies, and the third group only took antihistamines. At the end of the study, the group that received acupuncture therapy reported greater relief from symptoms than the other two groups.

However, the group receiving the fake acupuncture9 treatment also reported relief of their symptoms, though not as much as the group receiving acupuncture. Furthermore, four months later, as a follow-up, the difference between the effectiveness of the real and fake acupuncture treatment groups was less pronounced. This suggests a placebo effect may have taken place with the people receiving acupuncture, in anticipation of its beneficial effects.

In another studyTrusted Source, researchers were unable to support or disprove the use of acupuncture9 as treatment for hay fever.

Other studiesTrusted Source have looked at the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is an itchy rash that can be caused by irritants like soap or lotions. They found that acupuncture significantly reduced itchiness in some patients. They noted that preventative acupuncture did not work as well as concurrent acupuncture.

Outlook

In a reviewTrusted Source of published trials, researchers concluded that there is some evidence to support the claim that acupuncture is beneficial and cost-effective as an additional treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, at this time, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that acupuncture is effective as a stand-alone treatment. This conclusion echoes what other scientists who have previously reviewed the existing evidence have determined. So while the study results are promising, present evidence is mixed, at best. More studies are also needed to evaluate acupuncture as a treatment of eczema.

If you’re interested in acupuncture* therapy, start by talking to your doctor. They may be able to recommend a center or practitioner.