Exploring the Benefits of Acupuncture for Various Health Conditions

If you’ve ever wondered whether acupuncture can help with more than just back pain, you’re not alone. Many people turn to acupuncture when conventional medicine doesn’t provide complete relief or when they seek a more natural way to support their health.

What Can Acupuncture Treat?

But what can acupuncture treat, really? The answer is broader than most expect. From chronic pain to stress and hormonal imbalances, acupuncture has been shown to benefit a wide range of health concerns, backed by thousands of years of clinical experience and modern research.

We also answer this question in a short video below!

In this article, we’ll explore how acupuncture works, what conditions it can treat (according to clinical evidence), and how you can decide whether it’s the right option for you. If you're new to acupuncture and want to know what it is, check out our previous article titled What is Acupuncture.

Understanding Acupuncture and How It Works

Acupuncture is a core element of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It involves inserting ultra-thin needles at specific points along the body. These points correspond to imbalances identified using traditional Chinese medicine theories. Stimulation of the points is believed to restore balance and promote healing.

The Science Behind Acupuncture

Modern science supports many of these claims. Research has shown that acupuncture can:

• Trigger the release of endorphins (natural painkillers)

• Improve blood circulation and tissue oxygenation

• Reduce inflammation

• Modulate the autonomic nervous system

• Stimulate natural immune responses

  
  

This makes acupuncture not just a relaxing experience, but also a therapeutic intervention for many chronic and acute health conditions. The image below shows some commonly treated health conditions.

What Can Acupuncture Treat? A Look at the Evidence

One of the most comprehensive reviews of acupuncture’s effectiveness is The Acupuncture Evidence Project. This review examined over 1,000 systematic reviews and high-quality clinical trials to evaluate acupuncture's impact across various conditions.

Key Findings on Acupuncture

Here are some of the main findings:

• Strong Evidence: Acupuncture is strongly supported for treating conditions such as:

- Chronic low back pain

- Perennial and seasonal rhinitis

- Migraines

- Osteoarthritis of the knee

- Tension-type and chronic headaches

- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)

- Postoperative pain

- Postoperative nausea and vomiting

• Moderate to Promising Evidence: Acupuncture shows moderate to promising evidence for:

- Mental Health & Neurological Conditions:

- Anxiety

- Depression (when combined with antidepressants)

- PTSD

- Insomnia

- Schizophrenia (with antipsychotics)

- Stroke rehabilitation

- Pain Conditions:

- Acute lower back pain

- Neck pain

- Tennis elbow

- Sciatica

- Shoulder impingement or pain

- Pain during labor or pregnancy

- Heel or foot pain

- Temporomandibular pain

- Pelvic pain

- Other Conditions:

- Acute stroke

- Asthma in adults

- Constipation

- Dry eyes

- Obesity

- Menopausal hot flashes or insomnia

- Smoking cessation

- Irritable bowel syndrome

This research confirms what many practitioners observe: acupuncture offers measurable benefits for a broad spectrum of health conditions.

New Trends in Acupuncture Research

Even when a condition isn't specifically listed, acupuncture’s holistic approach can still provide symptom relief and improve overall well-being, especially when tailored to the individual. As more research emerges, the list of conditions for which acupuncture is effective will continue to grow. Notably, a study in 2017 identified eight conditions that acupuncture effectively treats and 38 more with promising evidence. An earlier study by the USVA in 2013 showed three conditions that acupuncture could effectively treat and 20 conditions with promising evidence. This indicates a trend of increasing conditions that acupuncture can address.

Acupuncture in Mainstream Healthcare

This growing body of evidence reflects a broader global shift. In recent years, acupuncture has gained recognition within mainstream healthcare systems. For instance, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs now incorporates acupuncture into treatment plans for pain, PTSD, and other conditions. Similarly, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture for chronic pain management. These developments highlight not only the expanding scientific support for acupuncture but also its integration into collaborative, evidence-based care models globally.

Why People Choose Acupuncture

People often turn to acupuncture to:

• Manage pain without relying on medication

• Reduce stress, anxiety, or burnout

• Support fertility and hormonal balance

• Improve digestion or immune function

• Sleep better

• Enhance recovery from injury or surgery

  
  

It is increasingly used as part of integrative care plans—alongside physiotherapy, psychotherapy, nutritional therapy, and Western medicine.

How to Know If Acupuncture Is Right for You

Considering acupuncture? Here’s how to start:

1. Identify your primary symptoms or health goals.

2. Consult a licensed acupuncturist to discuss whether your condition is suitable for treatment.

3. Ask about their experience with similar cases.

4. Be open to a treatment plan that includes multiple sessions—some results are immediate, while others take time.

   
   

And remember: just because your condition isn’t widely advertised doesn’t mean acupuncture can’t help. A skilled practitioner will assess your whole body, not just your symptoms.

Conclusion

So, what can acupuncture treat? The research shows it’s much more than a placebo or relaxation technique. Acupuncture has proven benefits for chronic pain, mental health, fertility, digestive health, immune support, and more.

Whether you’re navigating long-term health challenges or looking for preventive care, acupuncture may offer a gentle yet powerful tool for better health. If you're in Sunninghill, Sandton, or surrounding areas and are curious about how acupuncture may support your health goals, feel free to get in touch. For those elsewhere, we encourage you to consult a licensed acupuncturist in your area.

Let your healing begin—one point at a time.

— Dr. Darren Carpenter, Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

References

1. Zhao, Z. (2008). Neural mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia. Progress in Neurobiology, 85(4): 355-375.

2. McDonald, J.L., Cripps, A.W. & Smith, P.K. (2015). Mediators, receptors, and signalling pathways in the anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects of acupuncture. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015(1): 1-10.

3. McDonald, J. & Janz, S. (2017). The acupuncture evidence project. A comparative literature review: Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd.

4. Hempel S, Taylor SL, Solloway M, Miake-Lye IM, Beroes JM, Shanman R, Booth MJ, Siroka AM, and Shekelle PG. Evidence Map of Acupuncture. VA-ESP Project #05-226; 2013.