Acupuncture
What's Acupuncture?
Acupuncture, originating from ancient China and Korea over 3000 years ago, involves the strategic insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. This holistic approach aims to rebalance the flow of energy (Qi) and blood, facilitating healing in targeted areas or organs. By stimulating the nervous system and triggering the release of beta-endorphins, acupuncture effectively manages pain with minimal side effects. Additionally, it provides relief from stress and anxiety, promoting emotional well-being and emotional regulation.
From past to present
Acupuncture has ancient origins in China and Korea, evolving through centuries of experimentation. Early Eastern civilizations recognized that specific points on the body correlated with ailments and pressing these points with sharp stones could restore health.
Moreover, ancient physicians observed the interconnection between human health and natural cycles like day-night rhythms, seasonal changes, weather patterns, and dietary habits, leading to the development of herbal remedies.
For over 3800 years, Eastern cultures relied solely on traditional medicine until the formalization of European Medicine in universities and hospitals. However, recent decades have seen a convergence of Eastern and Western medical practices, with both recognizing the efficacy of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping therapy.
The Scientific Evidence Behind Acupuncture
Over the past 70 years, acupuncture has been the subject of more than 13,000 scientific studies across 60 countries. These studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating 117 different conditions, with 100 of them being endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, acupuncture has been shown to be cost-effective, safe, and devoid of side effects.
Acupuncture treatments offer several positive effects on patients:
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The insertion of needles triggers "spinal reflex effects," stimulating muscle relaxation and inducing changes in visceral organs by signaling the central nervous system.
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Acupuncture enhances brain connectivity and reduces activity in areas associated with stress and illness. It also improves regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, the primary system for hormone regulation and physiological stress responses.
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Additionally, acupuncture regulates parasympathetic activity, which is responsible for rest, relaxation, digestion, and tissue healing.
WHO Recommends Acupuncture as effective treatment for:​
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Abdominal pain
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Acne vulgaris
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Adverse reactions to radio/chemotherapy
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Alcohol dependence and detoxification
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Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
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Bell’s palsy
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Biliary colic
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Bronchial asthma
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Cancer pain (non applicable in Sweden)
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Cardiac neurosis
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Chloasma
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Cholecystitis (chronic)
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Choroidopathy, central serous
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Cholelithiasis
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Colour blindness
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Competition stress syndrome
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Craniocerebral injury, closed
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Deafness
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Depression
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Diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent
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Dysentery, acute bacillary
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Dysmenorrhea, primary
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Earache
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Epidemic haemorrhagic fever
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Epigastralgia, acute
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Epistaxis, simple
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Eye pain due to subconjunctival injection
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Facial pain
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Facial spasm
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Female infertility
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Female urethral syndrome
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Fibromyalgia and fasciitis
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Gastrokinetic disturbance
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Gouty arthritis
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Headache
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Hepatitis B virus carrier status
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Herpes zoster
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Hyperlipaemia
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Hypertension, essential
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Hypo-ovarianism
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Hypophrenia
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Hypotension, primary
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Induction of labour
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Insomnia
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Irritable colon syndrome (IBS)
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Knee pain
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Labour pain
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Lactation, deficiency
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Leukopenia
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Low back pain
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Male sexual dysfunction, non-organic
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Malposition of fetus
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Ménière disease
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Morning sickness
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Nausea and vomiting
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Neck pain
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Neuralgia, post-herpetic
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Neurodermatitis
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Neuropathic bladder due to spinal cord injury
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Obesity
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Opium, cocaine and heroin dependence
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Osteoarthritis
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Pain due to endoscopic examination
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Pain in dentistry
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Pain in thromboangiitis obliterans
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Periarthritis of shoulder
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Polycystic ovary syndrome
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Postoperative pain
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Postextubation in children
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Postoperative convalescence
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Premenstrual syndrome
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Prostatitis, chronic
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Pruritus
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Pulmonary heart disease, chronic
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Radicular and pseudoradicular pain syndrome
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Raynaud syndrome, primary
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Recurrent lower urinary-tract infection
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Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
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Renal colic
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Retention of urine
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Sciatica
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Schizophrenia
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Sialism, drug-induced
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Sjögren syndrome
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Small airway obstruction
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Sore throat (including tonsillitis)
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Spine pain, acute
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Sprain
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Stiff neck
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Stroke
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Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
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Tennis elbow
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Tietze syndrome
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Tobacco dependence
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Tourette syndrome
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Ulcerative colitis, chronic
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Urolithiasis
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Vascular dementia
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Whooping cough (pertussis)