A recently published paper is the most comprehensive review of acupuncture to date. This review builds on the ‘Acupuncture Evidence Project’, which was published in 2016, with an additional 862 high-quality studies evaluated. I know acupuncture works in the clinic because the Saam style I practice allows me to see what I consider miracles every day. However, translating what happens in the clinic to acupuncture research is challenging because I can deliver 10 acupuncture treatments for the same disease or treat 10 different diseases with the same acupuncture approach. Therefore, demonstrating that acupuncture is effective in a research setting is even more impressive.
The review confirms evidence of acupuncture’s beneficial effects for the following conditions:
• Chronic pain
• Postoperative nausea
• Low back pain
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Tension-type headache
• Cancer-related fatigue
• Menopause
• Female infertility
• Chronic prostatitis
It also confirms acupuncture’s evidence of potential positive effect for EIGHTY-TWO other conditions, including:
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Bell’s palsy
• Breech presentation
• Fibromyalgia
• Hormone therapy-related effects
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Postoperative pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sciatica
• Urinary incontinence