CONDITIONS TREATED
Acupuncture has shown effectiveness in treating several musculoskeletal conditions:
Back and neck pain: Acupuncture can be particularly effective for treating lower back pain and neck pain.
Osteoarthritis: Studies have found acupuncture beneficial for osteoarthritis pain, especially knee osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis: While it may not improve already-damaged joints, acupuncture can provide pain relief and help reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
Fibromyalgia: Acupuncture has shown promise in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
Headaches and migraines: Acupuncture can be effective for treating chronic headaches.
Shoulder pain: Some studies indicate acupuncture's effectiveness for shoulder pain conditions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Acupuncture has been found effective for treating CTS.
Ankle sprains: Evidence suggests acupuncture can be beneficial for ankle sprain treatment.
Lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow): Acupuncture has shown effectiveness for this condition.
Sciatica: A systematic review found acupuncture to be significantly effective and safe compared to analgesics for sciatica.
It's important to note that while these conditions have shown positive responses to acupuncture in various studies, the effectiveness can vary among individuals. Additionally, acupuncture is often used as a complementary treatment alongside other therapies for managing chronic pain conditions.