Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, supportive of a wide range of conditions. Unfortunately, in Australia, registered practitioners are not permitted to state directly what Acupuncture treats. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises Acupuncture and has published a list of conditions where, in controlled clinical trials, Acupuncture has been shown to be supportive of symptom relief. I wish to share this list with you so that you can understand the breadth of what Acupuncture may offer.
It is quite extensive — but you have a right to know.
You can find a fully referenced summary of Acupuncture research at evidencebasedacupuncture.org.
Conditions recognised by the WHO
Cardiovascular disorders
Essential hypertension.
Neurological disorders
Headache and migraine, Trigeminal neuralgia, Facial palsy, Paresis following stroke, Peripheral neuropathies, Meniere's Disease, Nocturnal enuresis, Cervicobrachial syndrome, Neurogenic bladder dysfunction, Intercostal neuralgia, Disc problems.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness; localised traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis, contractures; arthritis, fibromyalgia, work and sports related injuries, low back pain, osteoarthritis, "frozen shoulder", "tennis elbow", sciatica.
Respiratory system disorders
Acute sinusitis, Acute rhinitis, Common cold, Acute tonsillitis, Acute bronchitis, Bronchial asthma.
Disorders of the eye, ear, nose and mouth
Acute conjunctivitis, Central retinitis, Myopia (in children), Cataract (without complications), Toothaches, post-extraction pain, Gingivitis, Acute and chronic pharyngitis.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Spasms of oesophagus and cardia, Irritable bowel and colitis, Hiccough, Gastroptosis, Acute and chronic gastritis, Gastric hyperacidity, Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief), Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication), Acute and chronic colitis, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Acute bacillary dysentery, Paralytic ileus.
Gynaecological disorders
PMS, Dysmenorrhoea, Menopause syndrome, Benign irregular menstruation, Benign amenorrhoea.
Psychological disorders
Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, Somatisation disorder, Hypersomnia, Insomnia.
Other disorders
Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs, Appetite suppression.