What you need to know about acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice. Traditional Chinese practitioners believe the body has 2,000 or more acupuncture points along pathways, known as meridians.

When certain points are activated by very thin, hair-like, metal needles, the flow of energy—or qi (pronounced “chee”)—through these meridians, is improved, benefiting health. It’s thought that when qi does not flow freely, this can cause illness.

Western acupuncture—or dry needling—uses needles to penetrate the skin at different points and depths on the body to relieve or prevent certain conditions. The idea is to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and muscles. Around 360 pressure points can be used.

The practitioner gently moves the needles in specific ways by hand or uses electrical stimulation. It should be practised after you have a medical diagnosis. While studies have shown acupuncture can be effective, no one really knows how it works.

The therapy is on offer in many GP surgeries and NHS pain clinics and, in fact, it’s mainly used to treat pain, including discomfort from osteoarthritis, headaches and migraines, back pain, and cancer or cancer treatment.

A 2018 meta-analysis of 39 trials involving 20,827 patients found acupuncture was an effective treatment for chronic pain and that the beneficial effects persisted over time. It also seems to help with stress and depression (pain is often a factor in depression) and insomnia. Some studies suggest it can help lower blood pressure and treat menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes.

The jury is still out on acupuncture, with some claims made on the basis of shaky scientific evidence. That said, it’s considered safe, though you should always go to a practitioner who is registered with the British Acupuncture Council.

There is no statutory regulation of acupuncture in the UK. It’s generally used as a complementary medicine, rather than a substitute for conventional treatment, especially for a serious condition.

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