CONDITIONS TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE
The World Health Organization
In the hands of a
well-trained practitioner, acupuncture has much broader
applications beyond pain relief. The World Health
Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in the
treatment of a wide range of common illnesses including:
• Upper
Respiratory Tract
o
Acute sinusitis
o Acute rhinitis
o Common Cold and Flu
o Acute tonsillitis
•
Respiratory System
o
Acute bronchitis
o Bronchial asthma (Most effective in children and
uncomplicated
conditions.)
• Eye
Disorders
o
Acute conjunctivitis
o Central Retinitis Myopia (in children)
o Cataracts (without complications)
•
Mouth Disorders
o
Toothache
o Post Extraction Pain
o Gingivitis
o Acute and Chronic Pharyngitis
•
Gastrointestinal Disorders
o
Spasms of esophagus
o Hiccough
o Gastroptosis
o Acute and Chronic Gastritis
o Gastric Hyperacidity
o Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)
o Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complications)
o Acute and Chronic Colitis
o Acute Bacillary Dysentery
o Constipation
o Diarrhea
o Paralytic Ileus
•
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
o
Headache and Migraine
o Trigeminal Neuralgias
o Facial Palsy (early stage, i.e., within 3-6 months)
o Pareses Following a Stroke
o Peripheral Neuropathies
o Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within 6
months)
o Meniere's Disease
o Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
o Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)
o Intercostal Neuralgia
o Cervicobrachial Syndrome
o Frozen Shoulder
o Tennis Elbow
o Sciatica
o Low Back Pain
o Osteoarthritis
o Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
o Back and Knee Pain
o Fibromyalgia
o Chronic Fatigue
o Sports Injuries and Pains
•
Reproductive & Gynecological Conditions
o
Premenstrual Syndrome
o Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
o Spotting and Excessive Bleeding
o Amenorrhea (Loss of Menstrual Period)
o Impotence
o Infertility
o Incontinence
o Prostatis
•
Mental Emotional Problems
o
Stress
o Anxiety
o Depression
o Insomnia
•
Addictions
o
Eating Disorders
o Smoking
o Alcohol
o Drugs
The
World Health Organization Interregional Seminar compiled the
above list of illnesses that may benefit from acupuncture
treatment. The list is only a partial list and is based on
clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled
clinical research. The inclusion of specific diseases are
not meant to indicate the extent of acupuncture's efficacy
in treatment, since all conditions may vary in severity and
response.
Source:
World Health Organization. Viewpoint on Acupuncture. Geneva,
Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1979.
