Healing Applications of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is best known for the control of pain. However, acupuncture can treat a wide variety of common and uncommon disorders. The following is a list of disorders that can be treated by acupuncture (World Health Organization data):

Respiratory

Acute Sinusitis

Acute rhinitis

Common cold

Acute tonsillitis

Acute bronchitis

Bronchial asthma

Eye

Acute conjunctivitis (pinkeye)

Nearsightedness (in children)

Cataract (without complications)

Mouth

Toothache, post extraction pain

Gingivitis (gum disease)

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Hiccups

Gastritis

Gastric Hyperacidity

Ulcers

Colitis

Constipation

Diarrhea

Paralytic ileus

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Headache and migraine

Trigeminal neuralgia

Paralysis following stroke

Meniere's disease

Neurogenic bladder dysfunction

Nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting)

Intercostal neuralgia (pain in the ribs)

Cervicobrachial syndrome (pain radiating from neck to arm)

Frozen shoulder or Tennis elbow

Sciatica

Low back pain

Osteoarthritis

In the United States, acupuncture is used frequently for the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, headache, athletic injuries, and posttraumatic and post surgical pain. It is also used for treating chronic pain associated with immune function dysfunction such as psoriasis (skin disorders), allergies, and asthma. Acupuncture is also found to be effective for the treatment of mind-body disorders such as anxiety, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, insomnia, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and depression. Some modern application of acupuncture is in the treatment of disorders such as alcoholism, addiction, smoking, and eating disorders.

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