Determining what acupuncture can treat based on the rigid scientific methodology that studies the properties of drugs is a frustrating and difficult task. Therefore, based on current scientific data, we offer the following list of conditions that have shown positive results from acupuncture treatment. It is information that can help when deciding and choosing the most appropriate treatment, for the doctor and for the patient.

A list of diseases treatable with acupuncture was developed in June 1979 by representatives from 12 countries who met in Beijing at the WHO (World Health Organization) International Seminar on Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Anesthesia for Acupuncture. This list is based on clinical experience. In this list, conditions, when specifically tested, have shown promising results in published clinical trials.

For better understanding of the readers, some medical terms are accompanied by the most known denominations.

In addition to the indications below, Acupuncture has broad therapeutic action in various diseases and symptoms not included in this list.

Medical evaluation is essential for establishing the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Often, the use of other therapies is indispensable. Therefore, the role of your acupuncturist is important.

This means that acupuncture is an important therapeutic resource, but it is not a “cure-all”.

When in doubt, always consult your doctor.

CERVICAL REGION, SHOULDERS AND UPPER LIMBS

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
Muscle pain
pain resulting from sports trauma, posture error and/or emotional tension. Example: trapezius pain and muscle strain. Muscle relaxation and anti-inflammatory
neck pain
neck pain of various causes, with short or chronic duration. Increased pain threshold, analgesic, muscle relaxation and reduced inflammation
shoulder pain
shoulder pain from various causes. Example: bursitis, tendinitis, osteoarthritis
Tendonitis (RSI/WRMD)
tendon inflammation.
Example: tendonitis in the shoulder, tendinitis in the forearms and wrists. Analgesic, muscle relaxation and anti-inflammatory
Lateral and medial epicondylitis
(tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow)
pain in the lateral and medial region of the elbow by exertion, repetitions of movement.
frozen shoulder
loss of mobility and shoulder pain

LUMBAR AND HIP REGION

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
acute low back pain
sudden pain in the lower back caused by physical exertion and/or inappropriate movement Analgesic, muscle relaxation and anti-inflammatory
chronic low back pain
long-term lower back pain from a variety of complex causes
sciatica pain
pain in lower back, gluteal, thigh, leg and foot, can be caused by herniated disc, piriformis muscle contracture
Ankylosing spondylitis
partial or complete stiffness in the spine making movement impossible and causing pain

LOWER MEMBERS

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
patellar tendinitis
patellar tendon inflammation Analgesic, muscle relaxation and anti-inflammatory
patellar bursitis
inflammation of the pouch that surrounds the patella
knee osteoarthritis
non-inflammatory change of knee cartilage causing pain and clicking
Ankle strain (sprain):
mild degree sprain without injury to ankle ligaments.
Ankle synovitis/tendinitis
ankle inflammation
plantar fasciitis
inflammation of the layer that covers the musculature of the sole of the foot
Foot ache
pain in muscles, ligaments, with or without injury to this structure.

OTHER

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
Postoperative pain of any origin Analgesic, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic (reduces anxiety), anti-inflammatory (improves sleep)
fibromyalgia
disease of unknown cause, which is characterized by pain and other abnormalities, such as insomnia, depression, intestinal and/or urinary disorders, etc.
osteoarthritis
osteoarthritis, arthrosis. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory (improves local circulation)
reflex sympathetic dystrophy
muscle pain with skin changes (color, sweat, hair, nails), muscle atrophy and swelling
circulatory disorders
poor circulation
post-herpetic pain
pain that remains after Herpes Zoster virus infection.
Pain from nerve damage from diabetes Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiety reduction

RHEUMATOLOGY

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
Joint pain (in the joints) – rheumatism
Arthritis of various causes.
Ex. rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis due to uric acid deposition. Analgesic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory
Systemic lupus erythematosus Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Sjogren’s Syndrome
absence of secretion from lacrimal glands, salivary glands and upper digestive tracts and chronic polyarthritis Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, increase secretion production

HEADACHE

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
tension-type headache
associated with acute or chronic emotional and muscular tension Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic
Migraine (migraine)
headache, throbbing, usually one-sided, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound
craniofacial pain
pain located in the region of the skull and face of various causes Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxation
Headache due to temporomandibular disorder
(alteration of temporomandibular joint-TMJ function)
cervicogenic headache
caused by alteration of muscles, tendons, and irritation of occipital nerves
Other types of headache

URINARY SYSTEM

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
Renal colic
pain caused by “stone” in the kidney Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, action on ureter motricity
prostatitis
Prostate inflammation Analgesic, anti-inflammatory
interstitial cystitis
chronic bladder inflammation
Postpartum urinary retention Anxiolytic, urethral relaxation
Urinary pain and urgency 
Post-traumatic urinary retention Anxiolytic, urethral relaxation, analgesic

MALE GENITAL SYSTEM (PENIS FUNCTION)

Anxiolytic, improved function and libido
premature ejaculation
Non-organic male sexual dysfunction
alteration of the erection of the penis, of emotional cause. Harder, bigger and stronger penis, Vascular multiplication. Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM (GYNECOLOGICAL)

Illnesses or symptoms
Probable and proven effects
premenstrual tension (PMS)
emotional changes, cramps, headache, breast pain, muscle pain, etc. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic
primary dysmenorrhea
menstrual cramps, with no apparent cause
climacteric syndrome
irritated