Medical Conditions for Which Acupuncture Has Demonstrated Efficacy (Excerpts)

Muscular/tendon/skeletal disorders

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Tenosynovitis

Acute and chronic cervical, thoracic, lumbar, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pain

Cervicobrachial syndrome

Muscle and tendon pain

Upper- and lower-extremity sprains

Soft-tissue injuries of the knee and ankle

Respiratory diseases

Bronchial asthma

Acute sinusitis and rhinitis

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Bronchitis

Whooping cough

Common cold and influenza

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastric region pain

Acute enteric dysentery

Bacterial dysentery

Constipation

Dermatological conditions

Urticaria

Psoriasis

Ear, nose, and throat

Acute conjunctivitis

Optic nerve atrophy

Releasing ocular pressure for glaucoma

Chronic rhinitis

Chronic sinusitis

Tinnitus

Nerve diseases

Sciatica

Headaches

Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)

Intercostal neuralgia

Depression

Neurasthenia

Other

Support for AIDS-related illnesses (low energy, diarrhea, constipation, and lack of appetite)

Support for post-surgical patients (low energy, residual pain and discomfort)

Support for post-stroke sequelae (early stages)

Support for hepatitis and other infectious diseases

Pain control for cancer patients

Sources: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Alex Feng, LAc, PhD, OMD, Clinic for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kensington, CA.