How do acupuncture needles work

It is difficult to set up investigations using proper scientific controls, because of the invasive nature of acupuncture. In a clinical study, a control group would have to undergo sham treatment, or a placebo , for results to be compared with those of genuine acupuncture. Some studies have concluded that acupuncture offers similar benefits to a patient as a placebo, but others have indicated that there are some real benefits. Research carried out in Germany has shown that acupuncture may help relieve tension headaches and migraines.

They list additional disorders that may benefit from acupuncture, but which require further scientific confirmation. In , the World Health Organization WHO listed a number of conditions in which they say acupuncture has been proven effective. Other conditions for which the WHO say that acupuncture may help but more evidence is needed include :.

The WHO also suggest that it may help treat a number of infections, including some urinary tract infections and epidemic hemorrhagic fever. The NCCIH advise people not to use acupuncture instead of seeing a conventional health care provider. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points are located on meridians, through which vital energy runs.

An acupuncturist will examine the patient and assess their condition, insert one or more thin, sterile needles, and offer advice on self-care or other complementary therapies, such as Chinese herbs. The patient will be asked to lie down on their back, front, or one side, depending on where the needles are to be inserted.

The acupuncturist should use single-use, disposable, sterile needles. As each needle is inserted, the patient may feel a very brief stinging or tingling sensation. After the needle is inserted, there is occasionally a dull ache at the base of the needle that then subsides.

Acupuncture is usually relatively painless. Sometimes the needles are heated or stimulated with electricity after insertion. The needles will stay in place for between 5 and 30 minutes. The number of treatments needed depend on the individual.

A person with a chronic condition may need one to two treatments a week over several months. An acute problem normally improves after 8 to 12 sessions.

The researchers do recommend that even though the research is promising, it is relatively new, and much more research is still needed before promoting acupuncture as one of the treatments for those with PTSD. A paper by researchers in Germany and Switzerland studied the effects of acupuncture on patients with allergic asthma.

The researchers showed through a large, randomized trial that acupuncture added to the patient's routine did significantly improve asthma symptoms within the three-month trial period. One limitation to the study, however, was that patients and practitioners weren't blinded to the study so there may be an element of bias in the results.

Increasingly, mainstream doctors and medical institutions are accepting the practice of acupuncture, particularly for treatment of pain and nausea. A review, for example, found that acupuncture could reduce vomiting and nausea among patients receiving chemotherapy, according to Cancer Research UK. Research is ongoing into whether acupuncture can also help with other cancer treatment-related symptoms, including hot flashes, peripheral neuropathy and lymphoedema swelling of the arm or hand , according to Bao.

The World Health Organization maintains an extensive list of diseases and conditions mostly pain related possibly treatable by acupuncture. Many doctors now do not discourage their patients from receiving acupuncture when conventional medicine fails them or when convention treatment entails too many adverse side effects.

There is a growing body of research exploring whether acupuncture also can be used to treat depression , sleep disturbances and drug addiction. In general, however, acupuncture is considered complementary to conventional treatments, and it is likely most effective when implemented along with certain healthy lifestyle habits, according to Bao.

Study also uses acupuncture to aid in anxiety, gastrointestinal issues, weight loss, infertility, and chronic pain, in which she specializes. According to Study, acupuncture has been shown to work very well in conjunction with medications and other treatments to greatly increase their effects. Ideally, I think these things should all come together, rather than having the goal be to use acupuncture to treat everything.

That doesn't necessarily work," Bao said. Live Science. Elizabeth Palermo. If your symptoms don't begin to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you. The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to measure, but many people find it helpful as a means to control a variety of painful conditions.

Several studies, however, indicate that some types of simulated acupuncture appear to work just as well as real acupuncture. There's also evidence that acupuncture works best in people who expect it to work. Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you're having trouble controlling pain with more-conventional methods. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.

Acupuncture care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Ear acupuncture Open pop-up dialog box Close. Ear acupuncture Ear acupuncture involves placing acupuncture needles into specific points around the ear.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Acupuncture treatment During an acupuncture treatment, your acupuncturist inserts very thin needles into specific spots on your body. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Acupuncture: In Depth. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed Nov. Natural Medicines. Ahn AC.