New studies proving the efficacy of acupuncture are published regularly. If the condition or health concern for which you are seeking treatment does not appear here, this does not mean that acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine will not benefit you.
If you have any questions about the health benefits of acupuncture, please feel to contact Mar Vista Center for Acupuncture for assistance or to set up an appointment for a treatment or a free consultation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as effective in treating a wide range of common illnesses including, but not limited to:
Eye, ear, mouth & throat disorders
cataracts
dry eyes
acute conjunctivitis
tinnitus
earache
Respiratory disorders
common cold
influenza
allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
acute sinusitis
acute rhinitis
sore throat (including tonsillitis)
upper respiratory tract infection
acute bronchitis
bronchial asthma (most effective in children and uncomplicated conditions)
emphysema
Circulatory & blood disorders
hypertension (high blood pressure)
hypotension (low blood pressure)
angina pectoris
arteriosclerosis
anemia
hyperlipidemia
Gastrointestinal disorders
hiccough
abdominal pain
nausea & vomiting
morning sickness
acute chronic gastritis
gastric hyperacidity (acid reflux)
gastrokinetic disturbance
peptic ulcer (pain relief)
chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
acute duodenal ulcer (without complications)
cholecystitis, chronic, with acute exacerbation
cholelithiasis
biliary colic
constipation
diarrhea
irritable bowel syndrome (ibs)
ulcerative colitis
acute bacillary dysentery
Gynecological disorders
premenstrual syndrome (pms)
dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps & pain)
spotting & excessive menstrual bleeding
amenorrhea (loss of menstrual period)
polycystic ovary syndrome
infertility
malposition of fetus (correction of)
induction of labor
labor pain
lactation (deficiency)
Uro-genital disorders
female urethral syndrome
retention of urine
incontinence
urinary tract infections
sexual dysfunction
urolithiasis
prostatitis
impotence
infertility (male & female)
Emotional & psychological disorders
depression
anxiety
schizophrenia
stress
insomnia
Dermatological disorders
acne vulbaris
pruritis
neurodermatitis
Endocrine disorders
diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent
obesity
Addiction & dependence disorders
alcohol
nicotine & tobacco
food
drugs (cocaine, heroin, opium)
Bone, muscle, joint & nervous system disorders
headache & migraine
meniere’s disease
insomnia
dizziness
bell’s palsy
facial spasm
facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
dental pain
spine pain
stiff neck
temporomendibular joint dysfunction
radicular & pseudoradicular pain syndrome
frozen shoulder
neck pain
shoulder pain
periarthritis of shoulder
tennis elbow
carpal tunnel syndrome
sciatica
low back pain
osteoarthritis
knee pain
sprains
neurogenic bladder dysfunction
nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
trigeminal neuralgias
pareses (following a stroke)
peripheral neuropathies
osteoarthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
gouty arthritis
postoperative pain
fibromyalgia
fasciitis
chronic fatigue syndrome
Other disorders
herpes zoster (shingles)
neuralgia (pain after shingles)
renal colic
adverse reactions to radiotherapy &/or chemotherapy
cancer pain
postoperative convalescence
reynaud syndrome
sjogren syndrome
tourette syndrome
A world health organization interregional seminar on acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupuncture anesthesia was held in Beijing, China in June 1979. In 1996, a further who consultation on acupuncture was held in Cervia, Italy.
The participants in these World Health Organization seminars drew up the above list of diseases that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment. The list is based on clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled clinical research. The inclusion of specific diseases is not meant to indicate the extent of acupuncture’s efficacy in treatment, since all conditions may vary in severity and response.
Sources:
World Health Organization. viewpoint on acupuncture, 1979.
World Health Organization. Acupuncture: review and analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials, 1996.
If you have any questions about how acupuncture can benefit your health please feel free to contact Mar Vista Center for Acupuncture for assistance or to set up an appointment for a treatment or a free consultation.