Who Says?

Who Says

I trust my mom. So when she says that acupuncture is the most effective treatment for her insomnia, I believe her. (Happy to treat you anytime mom.) But this is purely anecdotal, and by scientific standards unacceptable.

So what is acceptable? Controlled trials of course. Of which hundreds of studies have been conducted. According to the World Health Organization...

Acupuncture can effectively treat low back pain.

Acupuncture can effectively treat neck pain.

Acupuncture can effectively treat sciatica.

Acupuncture can effectively treat tennis elbow.

Acupuncture can effectively treat knee pain.

Acupuncture can effectively treat peri-arthritis of the shoulder.

Acupuncture can effectively treat sprains.

Acupuncture can effectively treat TMJ.

Acupuncture can effectively treat headache.

Acupuncture can effectively treat dental pain.

Acupuncture can effectively treat acute and chronic gastritis.

Acupuncture can effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Acupuncture can effectively treat breech birth presentation. (I use moxabustion instead of needles.)

Acupuncture can effectively treat morning sickness.

Acupuncture can effectively treat nausea and vomiting.

Acupuncture can effectively treat postoperative pain.

Acupuncture can effectively treat symptoms related to stroke.

Acupuncture can effectively treat essential hypertension.

Acupuncture can effectively treat primary hypotension.

Acupuncture can effectively treat renal colic.

Acupuncture can effectively treat Leucopenia.

Acupuncture can effectively treat reactions from chemotherapy.

Acupuncture can effectively treat allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture can effectively treat hay fever.

Acupuncture can effectively treat biliary colic.

Acupuncture can effectively treat depression.

Acupuncture can effectively treat acute bacillary dysentery.

Acupuncture can effectively treat primary dysmenorrhea.

Acupuncture can effectively treat acute epigastralgia.

Acupuncture can effectively treat peptic ulcer.

SOURCE: Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, World Health Organization, 2003