Conditions Treated
Acupuncture is a holistic medicine looking at how the entire body works as one to achieve optimal efficiency. It is hard to say that there would be any condition that would not be helped with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
For those of you who are new to the idea of acupuncture and would like some ideas about what acupuncture is particularly known for in the United States, I have posted two helpful lists.
The first is the top 25 conditions treated with acupuncture in a survey recently done in California. This is a reflection of what people may popularly think of as things that acupuncture can help with and have sought treatment with positive results.
25 Commonly Treated Conditions
(as concluded by an occupational survey by the California State Acupuncture Committee)
Anxiety & Depression
Arthritis, Tendonitis, & Joint pain
Asthma & Allergies
Auto Injuries
Bladder and Kidney Infections
Cardiac Palpitations (Irregular Heartbeat)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Common Cold & Influenza
Degenerative Disk Disorders
Diet, Nutrition, & Weight Control
Fibromyalgia
Headaches & Migraines
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Indigestion, Gas, Bloating, Constipation
Insomnia
Menopause Symptoms
Musculoskeletal pain
Nausea
Orthopedic Conditions
Other
PMS & Menstrual Irregularity
Sports Injuries
Tension/Stress Syndromes
Tinnitus
Work Injuries
The second list is of conditions recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) that may respond well to acupuncture. It may be a good gauge for conditions recognized by insurance companies to cover acupuncture treatment costs. Seasons of Balance does not bill insurance directly, but we will be happy to give you the required information to request reimbursement on your own. Please check with your individual insurance company for conditions covered if you have questions. As Western and Eastern Medicines begins to work side by side in the United States, it is very important to Acupuncturists as a profession to be included on lists like this from the WHO.
Conditions that respond to acupuncture according to the World Health Organization
Upper Respiratory Tract
Acute sinusitis
Acute rhinitis
Common Cold
Acute tonsillitis
Disorders of the Eye
Acute conjunctivitis
Central retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Cataract (without complications)
Gastro-intestinal Disorders
Spasms of esophagus and cardia
Hiccough
Gastroptosis
Acute and chronic gastritis
Gastric hyperacidity
Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
Acute duodenal ulcer (without complications)
Acute and chronic colitis
Acute bacillary dysentery
Constipation
Diarrhea
Paralytic ileus
Respiratory System
Acute bronchitis
Bronchial asthma
Disorders of the Mouth
Toothache, post-extraction pain
Gingivitis
Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Neurological and Musculo-skeletal Disorders
Headache and migraine
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial palsy (early stage, i.e. within three to six months)
Pareses following a stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Sequelae of poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e. within six
months)
Meniere’s disease
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Nocturnal enuresis
Intercostal neuralgia
Cervicobrachial syndrome
“Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
Sciatica
Low back pain
Osteoarthritis
For further reading, an in depth analysis of the effectiveness of acupuncture in clinical studies was done by the WHO in the late 90’s. WHO Acupuncture Review and Analysis
Acupuncture works very well in collaboration with Western medical treatments, as it can strengthen the body’s resources so you are at your best when asked to manage a major health concern. We have seen great change with concerns such as PTSD, anxiety, poor sleep, abnormal sweating (spontaneous or at night), digestive upset of many kinds, and skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
Additionally, acupuncture is a great way to boost the body’s resources before surgery or to help in the recovery afterward. If you are weighing the pros and cons of having surgery for things such as back pain, carpal tunnel, or numbness and tingling in limbs, acupuncture may be a good, less invasive option to check out.
Treatments can boost the immune system, especially with the changes in season, and aid in quicker recovery from everyday illnesses.
It is my opinion that anyone can benefit from acupuncture, no matter what your presentation of symptoms may be; because the focus is not on what Western conditions you may suffer from, but on you as an individual. As your Acupuncturists, we are here to help your body return to the place of health and most efficient function.
Are you ready to see what this medicine can do for you?