Acupuncture News

A recent multicenter randomized controlled trial confirms that electroacupuncture (EA) is the most effective acupuncture modality for reducing pain and improving physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Compared against manual acupuncture (MA), warm needling (WA), mild moxibustion (MM), sham acupuncture (SA), and oral Celebrex, electroacupuncture demonstrated the greatest therapeutic benefit in both pain relief and functional improvement, based on VAS and WOMAC

A recent randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial has provided evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture in treating patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). This condition is caused by structural narrowing within the subacromial space and is very painful. The study focused on evaluating the impact of acupuncture on pain relief, shoulder function, range of motion (ROM), and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with SIS.

A pilot study conducted at Middlesex Health in the United States has demonstrated that acupuncture significantly improves symptoms associated with Long COVID, particularly anosmia (loss of smell), dysgeusia (altered taste), and cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”). The prospective cohort study enrolled twenty adults suffering from persistent symptoms following resolution of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. After six standardized acupuncture sessions administered over three weeks, participants experienced statistically

A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted at Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Fudan University Eye and ENT Hospital provides evidence that acupuncture at a single acupoint—Jingming (BL1)—significantly improves tear secretion in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED), outperforming standard artificial tear treatment [1].

A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that acupuncture significantly reduced leg pain and disability in patients with chronic sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation. Patients who received real acupuncture reported clinically meaningful improvements that persisted for at least one year, supporting acupuncture as a viable treatment for long-term symptom relief [1].

Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Pacific Time Join us for a 4-hour CEU/PDA-accredited live Zoom event that dives deep into two essential areas of clinical care: Modern research-backed acupuncture points for hypertension Shen-spirit points that support emotional balance

A case series published in Neurological Sciences demonstrates that acupuncture is as an effective preventive treatment for cluster headaches (CH), with all four patients in the study experiencing complete cessation of attacks following treatment [1]. This report, while limited in scope, provides important clinical details that can inform best practices for licensed acupuncturists seeking to treat CH with acupuncture.

A study published in ACS Omega evaluated the efficacy and mechanism of Shen Bai Hair Growth Decoction (SBHGD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The researchers concluded that SBHGD promotes hair regrowth and reduces local inflammation in a mouse model of AGA, primarily by downregulating key inflammatory cytokines and improving hair follicle density and morphology [1].

Recent clinical evidence underscores acupuncture’s effectiveness in managing acute ankle sprains (AAS). A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 17 randomized controlled trials involving 1,528 patients with AAS. The findings revealed that acupuncture, whether administered alone or in conjunction with traditional therapies, significantly alleviated pain and increased cure rates compared to standard treatments such as Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) [1].