Musculo-skeletal and Neurological Disorders: low back pain, neck and shoulder pain; joint pain, arthritis, injuries, numbness and tingling, muscular aches and pains, sports injuries, concussions, headaches, multiple sclerosis, post-stroke condition, shingles Gynecological Disorders: irregular, heavy or painful menstruation; premenstrual syndrome, menopausal problems, infertility, endometriosis, amenorrhea, ovarian cysts Pregnancy Related Complaints: morning sickness, edema, fatigue, sciatic pain Gastrointestinal Disorders: indigestion, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colitis, acid reflux, constipation, IBS, pancreatitisRespiratory Disorders: common cold and flu, chronic colds, chronic cough, asthma, allergies, hay feverCirculatory Disorders: high blood pressure, palpitations, heart disease, high cholesterolImmune Disorders: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic lyme symptoms, decreased immunity, rheumatoid arthritis Dermatological Difficulties: acne, eczema, herpes, facial rejuvenationCirculatory Disorders: high blood pressure, palpitations, heart disease, high cholesterolEmotional and Psychological Disorders: depression, anxiety, addictionsSupportive Therapy for Many Other Chronic Disorders like: post surgical recovery, cancer, HIV/AIDS
The National Institute for Health supports the following conclusion:
Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. While there have been many studies of its potential usefulness, many of these studies provide equivocal results because of design, sample size, and other factors. The issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate controls, such as placebos and sham acupuncture groups. However, promising results have emerged, for example, showing efficacy of acupuncture in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which 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.
