What Can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture is supported by varying levels of scientific evidence from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and organizations like the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH/NIH) and recent evidence updates (e.g., 2017–2022 reviews). Evidence is strongest for certain pain conditions and nausea, while it's more moderate or emerging for others. Stronger Evidence (Positive effects in multiple high-quality reviews).

This is a general list that is supported by research. In my own experience I have seen acupuncture help (or even eradicate) TONS of things not on this list (trauma, accidents, Lymes disease, Lupus, PCOS…to name a few…please ask me more in clinic!)

• Chronic low-back pain

• Neck pain

• Knee osteoarthritis

• Migraine prevention

• Tension-type headaches

• Postoperative nausea and vomiting

• Chemotherapy-induced nausea

Moderate or Potential Positive Evidence (Supported in many studies, but results vary)

• Shoulder pain

• Fibromyalgia

• Postoperative pain (general)

• Cancer-related fatigue

• Menopausal hot flashes/symptoms

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

• Depression or anxiety (as adjunct)

• Insomnia

• Stroke rehabilitation support

Other Commonly Reported Uses (Mixed or emerging evidence from reviews)

• Chronic pain (overall)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)

• Labor pain

• Asthma

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Tennis elbow

• Acupuncture is generally safe when done by a licensed practitioner, with rare serious side effects.

• Results vary by person; it's often used alongside conventional treatments.

• If it make you feel more comfortable you can contact your heathcare provider before starting acupuncture

• Sources include NCCIH, Cochrane reviews, and updates like the 2017–2022 evidence review (which found positive effects for ~10 conditions and potential for 82 more).

  Links to top 5 most supported conditions with links to studies:

• Chronic low-back pain

  • Cochrane review (2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33306198/

  • Meta-analysis overview (2005, foundational): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15838072/

  • Recent network meta-analysis (2024): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39350218/

• Knee osteoarthritis

  • Network meta-analysis on contributing factors (recent): https://ebm.bmj.com/content/29/6/374

  • Narrative review on mechanisms/efficacy (recent): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12478198/

• Migraine prevention

  • Systematic review & meta-analysis (2020): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7344239/ (via cited works)

  • Durable effects meta-analysis (2023): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1211438/full

  • Recent meta-regression (2024): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229924000645

• Tension-type headaches

  • Systematic review & meta-analysis (2023): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.943495/full (or PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10208222/)

  • Recent efficacy meta-analysis (2025 update): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12727187/

• Postoperative/chemotherapy-induced nausea & vomiting

  • Recent meta-analysis for highly emetogenic chemo (2025): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1692411/full

  • Systematic review & meta-analysis on cancer-related nausea (recent): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12300855/