Acupuncture News and Research

Acupuncture Provides Relief in Gouty Arthritis Flares

A systematic review and meta-analysis of fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 1,076 patients demonstrated that acupuncture is more effective than conventional medicine for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis (AGA) [1]. The investigators reported that electroacupuncture (EA) significantly improved overall clinical efficacy, reduced pain intensity, and lowered serum uric acid levels, while also producing fewer adverse reactions compared with pharmacologic therapy alone [1].

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Acupuncture & Herbs for Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Discovery

Hebei University researchers demonstrated that acupuncture and integrated herbal medicine interventions provide measurable therapeutic benefits in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and tinnitus [1]. SSNHL is defined as an idiopathic hearing impairment of at least 30 dB affecting three contiguous frequencies within 72 hours and has long posed difficulties for clinical management due to the limited efficacy of conventional pharmacological approaches [1]. Evidence from randomized controlled trials and preclinical investigations shows that acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, significantly improves auditory thresholds, while classical prescriptions such as Er Long Zuo Ci Wan (耳聋左慈丸, ELZCW) preserve cochlear hair cell function through well-defined molecular pathways [1].

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Acupuncture Efficacy for Allergic Rhinitis Confirmed

A new set of international, evidence-based guidelines led by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and endorsed by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies concludes that acupuncture and related Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interventions provide clinically significant relief for allergic rhinitis. Analysis of 351 randomized controlled trials with 43,276 participants demonstrated measurable improvements in symptom control, recurrence reduction, and quality of life when acupuncture was applied according to syndrome differentiation principles [1].

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Cannabis Research in Chinese Medicine Finds Broad Medical Potential

New research highlights the long-recognized role of hemp seed (Huo Ma Ren, Cannabis sativa L.) in Chinese medicine and its emerging place in modern health science. Published in Phytochemical Analysis, the research evaluates the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical potential of hemp seed while calling for stronger quality standards [1]. We also take a look at the use of cannabis throughout Chinese medicine history, including both the psychoactive flower and non-psychoactive seed.

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Acupuncture Anti-Inflammatory Effects On Allergies Confirmed

A randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that acupuncture significantly reduces nasal inflammation and improves symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) [1]. The investigators report that, compared with sham acupuncture or antihistamine medication alone, real acupuncture produced measurable clinical and biochemical benefits, with beneficial clinical effects detectable after the very first acupuncture treatment session.

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Acupuncture Relief For Knee Osteoarthritis Affirmed

A systematic review examining twenty-one randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3,176 patients concluded that acupuncture provides both clinically significant pain relief and measurable biological protection in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) [1]. Researchers reported that patients receiving acupuncture consistently experienced reductions of two to four points on the Visual Analogue Scale and functional improvements of 25 to 40 percent on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index compared with sham procedures or usual care [1].

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Acupuncture Webinar: Emotional Balance, Achilles Tendon Disorders, and Knee Pain 9-7-25

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Pacific Time)

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Herbal Therapy Shows Analgesic and Functional Benefits for Osteoporosis Management

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials has concluded that the proprietary herbal formula Xianling Gubao (XLGB) capsule is safe and effective for reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with primary osteoporosis. While XLGB did not demonstrate significant superiority over conventional pharmaceuticals for fracture reduction or bone mineral density, its consistent analgesic and patient-reported outcome improvements highlight its role as a viable adjunct therapy [1].

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Migraine Treatment Acupuncture Combinations Identified

Acupuncture research has identified clinically effective acupoints and combinations for migraine treatment using large-scale data mining of acupuncture prescriptions. Researchers from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, analyzed 911 clinical trials, encompassing 1,610 prescriptions and 181 acupoints, to establish evidence-based guidelines for migraine care [1].

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Acupuncture CEU Webinar: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Back Pain Relief 8-24-25

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Earn 4 CEU/PDA credits in this Zoom webinar designed for licensed acupuncturists. This event focuses on two high-demand areas of care—carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain relief—with practical clinical protocols and the latest supporting research.

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