An NP’s Perspective on the Benefits of Acupuncture
Find NP Schools
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine from ancient times that began almost 3000 years ago. This treatment involves penetrating the skin with small, thin, metallic needles at strategic points on the body. The needles are then activated through specific movements of the clinician’s hands. Acupuncture helps promote natural healing in the human body.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners think that the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points that connect to pathways called meridians. These pathways generate an energy flow called Qi (pronounced “chee”) throughout the body. Qi is thought to be responsible for overall health. These meridians are accessible through 361 acupuncture points in the body. Many acupuncture points are at sites where stimulation can affect the activity of sensory neurons, known as receptive fields. As a result, acupuncture helps balance the body, mind, spirit, and restores energy balance.
Disruption of qi or blockages with the flow of energy is thought to cause disease. Stress, trauma, toxins, hormones, and different foods may be involved in the blocking of qi.
By applying acupuncture to certain points on the body, it is believed to improve the energy flow, thus improving health. Inserting needles along these meridians will rebalance energy flow. Many studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for many conditions. It was initially a key component of traditional Chinese medicine to treat pain. However, it has increasingly become useful for overall wellness, including stress management.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The acupuncture practitioner will explain the procedure and process during the initial appointment. Acupuncture uses very thin needles; some would compare them to as thin as human hair.
Typically, there is no pain during this treatment. Most people report not feeling anything at all when the needles are inserted. Others may feel a small prick or compare the insertion of an acupuncture needle to a light ‘sting’. Each needle is inserted to a point that may produce a sensation of pressure. At times, needles may be heated during treatment. Some people feel very relaxed with acupuncture, whereas others may feel energized.
Other forms of stimulation are sometimes used instead of needles. For example, heat or pressure may be applied to the acupuncture points. Other alternatives include cupping, friction, and impulses of electromagnetic energy.
Pain may be possible during acupuncture due to improper placement of the needle. The FDA regulates acupuncture needles similarly to other medical devices. Needles are single-use and must be sterilized to prevent infection.
The acupuncture practitioner may blend aspects of both Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. They will determine the type of acupuncture treatment needed by asking about symptoms, behaviors, and lifestyle. They will examine the parts of the body that are painful, the color of the patient’s face and tongue, and the strength and rhythm of the pulse of the patient’s wrist.
Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system. As a result, chemicals are released into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. These biochemical changes may incite the body’s natural healing abilities and support physical and emotional well-being. Needle placement along the meridians causes reactions like sending more lymphatic fluid or blood to specific organs.
In return, the muscles will relax, reducing tension on joints and bones. Acupuncture points are located throughout the body. Sometimes the appropriate points are far from the exact area of the pain. So just because the patient is complaining about knee pain does not mean the needles will be inserted in the knee.
The needles are inserted at specific locations along the body that align with energy points. This activates the body’s natural health abilities, which then helps restore balance to both the mind and body. A typical acupuncture treatment involves 5 to 20 needles. Patients should lie still and relax to prevent the needles from moving or coming out. The needles may cause some tingling or dull aches. If a deep heaviness or numbness is felt, that usually means the treatment is working.
For acupuncture to be effective, patients would need to schedule 30- to 60-minute sessions once or twice a week for at least six to 12 weeks. Some people feel the effect of acupuncture during the first treatment, whereas others may need at least five to six treatments before they feel any difference. The number of treatments needed will depend on the complaint being treated and its severity.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is an effective treatment for many health conditions. One of the top benefits of acupuncture is for chronic pain disorders. It can improve chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, sciatica, muscle pain, and weakness. The acupuncture technique reduces tension in the neck and back, and inflammation in the joints.
Acupuncture can also improve digestive disorders such as nausea, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, and hepatitis. It is especially beneficial in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with drug-induced nausea and vomiting. Many patients with mental health conditions receive benefits from acupuncture as well. Mental health conditions that can improve with acupuncture include anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and insomnia. Some people may feel greater efficacy with acupuncture than medication when treating their mental health disorders.
Other common uses of acupuncture are in treating headaches, addiction, obesity, allergies, asthma, menstrual cramps, neuropathy, and smoking. Acupuncture is effective in reducing both the frequency and severity of chronic headaches. It can help with eye strain in those who work with computers or brain fog in those who need help with mental clarity. After treatment, many patients experience a surge in energy levels. This can allow them to be more productive at work or home.
Since acupuncture embraces optimal wellness, it prevents people from having to take medication or undergo invasive medical procedures. It can support better immune and nervous system function. As a result, the body is more inclined to heal naturally when illness or injury occurs. Besides specific medical ailments, acupuncture is effective in reducing stress levels. It lowers stress hormone levels and improves mood by restoring energy balance and triggering nervous system responses.
It is important to note that acupuncture can also be combined with other treatments for maximum efficacy. For instance, acupuncture alone is not 100 percent successful in impacting weight loss. Yet, with healthy eating and acupuncture, weight loss goals may be achieved.
This is similar to when acupuncture is used in smoking cessation. Acupuncture can help decrease tobacco cravings, but it is more successful when patients are adjunctly using other tobacco cessation treatments such as nicotine lozenges or patches. Unfortunately, not everyone responds to acupuncture. If symptoms do not improve after five or six sessions, acupuncture may not be the right fit.
Acupuncture Contraindications
Patients should discuss acupuncture with their primary care provider before seeking treatment. Not everyone is a candidate for acupuncture. Pregnant women, active plasma donors, and people with chronic skin conditions should avoid acupuncture. Patients with a bleeding disorder may experience an increased risk of bleeding while having acupuncture. Those with a pacemaker should alert the acupuncturist because mild electrical pulses to the needles may potentially interfere with the pacemaker’s operation. People taking dietary supplements or over-the-counter herbal medications should notify the acupuncturist before treatment as well.
It is recommended that patients eat a meal before the acupuncture sessions to prevent nausea or vomiting after the procedure. The risks of acupuncture are low if treated with sterile needles by a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner. The most common side effects are minor bruising and soreness when the needles were inserted. Nowadays, single-use, disposable needles are the practice standard, so the risk of infection is low.
The Future of Acupuncture in American Healthcare
Since scientific studies cannot explain acupuncture within the framework of Western medicine, acupuncture is considered controversial. Not all health insurances cover it. The benefits of acupuncture may be difficult to measure, but many patients find it helpful in improving their medical conditions.
It can be effective against chronic pain, mental health disorders, and several gastroenterological and neurological conditions. Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth trying if more-conventional treatments have failed. Health care providers must be aware of the benefits of acupuncture so that they may recommend it to their patients. This is especially important for patients that have failed traditional medical treatment or have multiple comorbidities.
Sophia Khawly, MSN
WriterSophia Khawly is a traveling nurse practitioner from Miami, Florida. She has been a nurse for 14 years and has worked in nine different states. She likes to travel in her spare time and has visited over 40 countries.
Being a traveling nurse practitioner allows her to combine her love of learning, travel, and serving others. Learn more about Sophia at www.travelingNP.com.