The World Health Organization of the United Nations identifies a vast array of conditions that acupuncture successfully treats, including (but not limited to):
MUSCULO-SKELETAL AND NEUROLOGICAL
Arthritis •
Back Pain •
Bell’s Palsy •
Bursitis •
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome •
Fibromyalgia •
Frozen Shoulder •
Headaches •
Migraines •
Muscle Cramping •
Neck Pain •
Neuralgia •
Plantar Fascitis •
Post-Operative Pain •
Sciatica •
Sprains •
Stiff Neck •
Stroke •
Tendonitis •
Trigeminal Neuralgia •
TMJ/Jaw Pain •
Whiplash Injury •
Attention Deficit Disorder •
Cerebral Palsy
EYE–EAR–NOSE–THROAT
Allergies •
Deafness •
Dizziness •
Earaches •
Eyesight Problems •
Hay Fever •
Laryngitis •
Sinusitis •
Recurring Sinus Infections •
Sore Throat •
Tinnitus •
Chronic Tonsillitis
RESPIRATORY
Asthma •
Allergies •
Bronchitis •
Pulmonary Congestion •
Recurrent Colds •
Chronic Cough •
Shortness of Breath
INTERNAL
Abdominal Pain •
Asthma •
Celiac Disease •
Chronic Fatigue •
Colitis •
Constipation •
Diabetes •
Diarrhea •
Gastritis •
Heartburn •
Hemorrhoids •
High Blood Pressure •
Hyperacidity •
Hypoglycemia •
Indigestion •
Insomnia •
Irritable Bowel Syndrome •
Poor Circulation •
Ulcers
DERMATOLOGICAL
Acne •
Alopecia •
Dermatitis •
Eczema •
Herpes •
Shingles
REPRODUCTIVE AND URO-GENITAL
Endometriosis •
Infertility •
Impotence •
Irregular Periods or Cramps •
Menopausal Symptoms •
Morning Sickness •
Ovarian Cysts •
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) •
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) •
Vaginitis •
Urinary Tract Infections •
Uterine Fibroids
INFECTIONS
Bronchitis •
Colds •
Flu •
Tonsillitis
MENTAL–EMOTIONAL
Anxiety •
Depression •
Insomnia •
Stress •
Grieving •
Mood Swings
OTHER BENEFITS:
- Increased Vitality and Energy
- Stress Reduction and Deep Relaxation
- Skin Rejuvenation
- Reduced Addictive Urges
- Pain Control
- Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Regulation
- Immune System Stabilization
- …and many others!
A blue-ribbon panel of physicians and researchers at the National Institutes of Health issued a report concluding that acupuncture offers promising results in a variety of situations. An excerpt from the NIH Conference on Acupuncture in November, 1997:
Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. … [T]here have been many studies of its potential usefulness. … [P]romising results have emerged, for example, of the efficacy of acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful.
Studies are released every month in professional journals from around the world describing new uses. Because it is best known for pain reduction, it is often indicated for sports injuries and other musculoskeletal problems that can create acute or chronic pain.
Acupuncture can also safely be used for many health concerns during pregnancy, in addition to being a supportive treatment during labor. Acupuncture is extremely effective for many gynecological issues for women, becoming more and more known as a women’s health care modality. It is also gaining importance in the treatment of emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety disorder.