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There have been many studies done on acupuncture in order to determine the efficacy of using acupuncture to help with pain management and other conditions including addiction, headaches, and stroke rehabilitation. The results have been mixed, mostly due to the complexities of acupuncture. Still, the results have shown that overall, it seems to be beneficial. In fact, WHO has designated 28 conditions that can be benefited by acupuncture. These include:
- Tension headaches / migraines
- Depression
- Hay fever
- Hypertension
- Knee pain
- Morning sickness
- Correcting the position of the fetus
- Nausea and vomiting
These are just some of the conditions that acupuncture has been known to help. The practice of acupuncture has existed for thousands of years and found its start in ancient China. Despite the fact that acupuncture has been shown to work, it’s not known scientifically how or why it works. Is it possibly a placebo effect? Many say it’s not; in fact, the article in the British Medical Journal, “Acupuncture Is Grounded In Science, Not Myth And Magic” claims that the practice is firmly grounded in science.
Acupuncture started to become popular in the U.S. in the 1970s when Americans experienced the practice in China and found that it was very effective. When it comes to acupuncture, though, be sure to find someone that is truly trained in the art; it’s possible to find someone who does not know what he or she is doing and the treatment may prove ineffective. Ask the acupuncturist if he or she has certification by a national acupuncture organization.
