According to the National Institutes of Health, the term “acupuncture” describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine.

Below are some helpful studies if you’re seeking more information about the practice of acupuncture and it’s efficacy.

MD Anderson Cancer Center

  • Acupuncture, practiced for thousands of years, is a safe and often effective medical treatment that can be used to manage side effects from cancer.
    Click here to read more
  • Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., director, and Kay Garcia, LAc, Dr.P.H., clinical nurse specialist, both in MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine discuss how acupuncture can be used to help relieve some of the side effects accompanying cancer treatment.
    Click here to listen to the audio file

Rueters

Acupuncture as good as counseling for depgression: study by Andrew M. Seaman

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – People with depression may benefit as much from acupuncture as they do from counseling, suggests a new study.

Researchers found one in three patients was no longer depressed after three months of acupuncture or counseling, compared to one in five who received neither treatment.

Read Acupuncture as good as counseling for depgression: study by Andrew M. Seaman

The New York Times

“Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study” by Anahad O’Connor
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

A new study of acupuncture – the most rigorous and detailed analysis of the treatment to date – found that it can ease migraines and arthritis and other forms of chronic pain.

Read “Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study” by Anahad O’Connor

Do I have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?

Series of Studies First to Examine Acupuncture’s Mechanisms of Action
March 14, 2013

While acupuncture is used widely to treat chronic stress, the mechanism of action leading to reported health benefits are not understood. In a series of studies at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), researchers are demonstrating how acupuncture can significantly reduce the stress hormone response in an animal model of chronic stress.

Read Series of Studies First to Examine Acupuncture’s Mechanisms of Action