The World Health Organisation recognises that acupuncture is effective for over 40 diseases and syndromes. Documentation shows its effectiveness in treating the following conditions:
Musculo-skeletal
low back pain, tennis elbow, knee strain, neck/shoulder pain, sciatica, arthritis, joint swelling/pain, thoracic pain, muscle strain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury, wrist strain, sacroiliac pain, sports injuries.
Respiratory
sinusitis, hay fever, common cold, bronchitis, asthma, cough, painful respiration, pleurisy and emphysema.
Ear, nose and throat
tinnitus, nerve deafness, Ménière's disease, eye problems, sinusitis, nose bleed and loss of smell
Gastrointestinal
constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, gastritis, haemorrhoids. Hyperacidity, nausea, spastic colon
Cardiovascular
angina, palpitations, cold extremities, high and low blood pressure
Women's health
painful periods, pre-menstrual syndrome, excessive menstrual bleeding, irregular menstruation, fertility disorders, menopausal syndrome.
Pregnancy
morning sickness, foetal malposition, insufficient lactation, pregnancy tune-up, assistance with deliveries.
Men’s health
prostrate problems, erectile dysfunction, lack of sperm and impotence.
Uro-genital disorders
bed wetting, retention of urine, cystitis, and infection of the urinary tract.
Paediatric health
whooping cough, bed wetting.
Skin disorders
acne, eczema, psoriasis and painful scars.
Neurological
headaches, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, Ménière's disease, tinnitus, ear pain, Bell's palsy, hemiplegia, post-stroke syndrome, general neuralgias and numbness.
Metabolic disorders
low energy, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, hormonal irregularities.
Psychological disorders
post-traumatic stress, anxiety, smoking/drug addiction, depression and nervous tension.
Miscellaneous
obesity, sports performance/enhancement.
see this WHO document for research on these complaints
Musculo-skeletal
low back pain, tennis elbow, knee strain, neck/shoulder pain, sciatica, arthritis, joint swelling/pain, thoracic pain, muscle strain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury, wrist strain, sacroiliac pain, sports injuries.
Respiratory
sinusitis, hay fever, common cold, bronchitis, asthma, cough, painful respiration, pleurisy and emphysema.
Ear, nose and throat
tinnitus, nerve deafness, Ménière's disease, eye problems, sinusitis, nose bleed and loss of smell
Gastrointestinal
constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, gastritis, haemorrhoids. Hyperacidity, nausea, spastic colon
Cardiovascular
angina, palpitations, cold extremities, high and low blood pressure
Women's health
painful periods, pre-menstrual syndrome, excessive menstrual bleeding, irregular menstruation, fertility disorders, menopausal syndrome.
Pregnancy
morning sickness, foetal malposition, insufficient lactation, pregnancy tune-up, assistance with deliveries.
Men’s health
prostrate problems, erectile dysfunction, lack of sperm and impotence.
Uro-genital disorders
bed wetting, retention of urine, cystitis, and infection of the urinary tract.
Paediatric health
whooping cough, bed wetting.
Skin disorders
acne, eczema, psoriasis and painful scars.
Neurological
headaches, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, shingles, Ménière's disease, tinnitus, ear pain, Bell's palsy, hemiplegia, post-stroke syndrome, general neuralgias and numbness.
Metabolic disorders
low energy, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, hormonal irregularities.
Psychological disorders
post-traumatic stress, anxiety, smoking/drug addiction, depression and nervous tension.
Miscellaneous
obesity, sports performance/enhancement.
see this WHO document for research on these complaints