WHO Recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a report called Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials in 2003. A list of the conditions mentioned in that report are given below.
Please note that there are many other conditions which centuries of empirical data have shown acupuncture treats effectively but for which there is little or no modern western research. Please consult with a practitioner about how acupuncture may treat any other condition not listed.
Psychological Conditions
- Depression
- Anxiety
- OCD
- PTSD
- Somatization disorder
- Hypersomnia
- Insomnia
Neurological Conditions
- Headache and migraine
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Facial palsy (early stage, within three to six months)
- Paresis following stroke
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Meniere’s Disease
- Nocturnal enuresis
- Cervicobrachial syndrome
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Disc problems
Musculo-skeletal Conditions
- Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
- Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendinitis, contractures
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Work and sports related injuries
- Low back and/or neck strain
- Osteoarthritis
- “Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
- Sciatica
Respiratory System Conditions
- Acute sinusitis
- Acute rhinitis
- Common cold and allergies*
- Acute tonsillitis
- Acute bronchitis
- Bronchial asthma
Conditions of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth
- Acute conjunctivitis
- Central retinitis
- Myopia (in children)
- Cataract (without complications)
- Toothaches, post extraction pain
- Gingivitis
- Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Spasms of esophagus and cardiac
- Irritable bowel and colitis
- Gastroptosis
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Gastric hyperacidity (i.e. acid reflux)
- Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication)
- Acute and chronic colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Acute bacillary dysentery
- Paralytic ileus
Gynecological Conditions
- Infertility
- PMS
- Dysmenorrhea
- Menopause syndrome
- Benign irregular menstruation
- Benign amenorrhea
Cardiovascular Conditions
- Essential hypertension
Other Conditions
- Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs
- Appetite suppression
Jeffrey Russell is a practitioner of acupuncture in Louisville, KY. His clinic is Abacus Chinese Medicine–Louisville Acupuncture and Chinese Herbalism. 502.299-8900.
