In 1997, the National Institutes of Health issued a consensus statement* after reviewing the scientific research on acupuncture. Based on this research, the report concluded that acupuncture is an acceptable treatment, in addition to regular medical attention, as part of a comprehensive management program or as an acceptable alternative in the areas of:
- Lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Headache
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Sciatica
- Menstrual cramps
- Post-operative dental pain
- Fibromyalgia
In my practice at Acupuncture HealthWorks, patients have found acupuncture to be particularly effective for relieving these kinds of acute and chronic pain.
*Acupuncture. NIH Consensus Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5):1-34.
If you are interested in additional information, the links shown below will take you to recent independent assessments of acupuncture and its major treatment areas.