Acupuncture, a therapy within traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most widely accepted components of integrative therapies in the Western world. Specific points on the body are stimulated, usually by inserting thin needles into the skin and underlying tissues. Stimulating these specific points is believed to affect the flow of qi (a universal life force) along energy pathways (meridians) and thus restore balance.
The procedure is generally not painful but may cause a tingling sensation. Sometimes stimulation is increased by twisting, warming, or otherwise manipulating the needle.
Acupuncture points may also be stimulated by
Pressure (called acupressure)
Lasers (also called low-level laser therapy)
A very low voltage electrical current (called electroacupuncture) applied to the needle
Evidence and Uses for Acupuncture
Acupuncture research is inherently difficult to conduct. Blinding is challenging and so-called "sham" acupuncture often puts pressure on acupressure points, thereby creating a different treatment experience that may not be truly inert. In regions where acupuncture is more part of the culture, particularly in China, published acupuncture studies are more abundant and broader in scope. Results showing efficacy should be interpreted in light of the fact that interventions include the full schema of traditional Chinese medicine of which acupuncture is only a component.
In the past decade, the highest-quality evidence of efficacy has been generated for the following conditions (1, 2):
Chronic pain (low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, migraine and tension type headaches)
Postoperative nausea and vomiting
Cancer-related fatigue
Menopausal symptoms
Female infertility (as adjunctive to reproductive treatment)
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men
Possible Adverse Effects and Contraindications
Adverse effects of acupuncture are difficult to quantify and, although treatments are generally safe, skill and care vary among practitioners. The WHO provides a reference document with guidance for practicing acupuncture in a safe and effective manner (see WHO benchmarks for the practice of acupuncture).
A 2023 systematic review of adverse effects after acupuncture included the following (3):
Systemic reactions (eg, headache, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea)
Syncope
Tissue injury
Infection
Although some of these adverse effects are serious, most were mild or clinically insignificant.
References
1. Hempen M, Hummelsberger J. The state of evidence in acupuncture: A review of metaanalyses and systematic reviews of acupuncture evidence (update 2017-2022). Complement Ther Med. 2025;89:103149. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103149
2. Allen J, Mak SS, Begashaw M, et al. Use of Acupuncture for Adult Health Conditions, 2013 to 2021: A Systematic Review. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2243665. Published 2022 Nov 1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.43665
3. Xu M, Yang C, Nian T, et al. Adverse effects associated with acupuncture therapies: An evidence mapping from 535 systematic reviews. Chin Med. 18(1):38, 2023. Published 2023 Apr 10. doi:10.1186/s13020-023-00743-7
