Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Acupuncture

Many patients who come to Shai Davids’ clinic, Machat Ruach, ask the same questions about acupuncture: how it works, whether it hurts, and which issues it can actually help with. In this article we have gathered answers to the most common questions on the subject, to help you reach an informed decision. Acupuncture, also known as needling therapy, is one of the oldest and most widely researched methods in complementary medicine, and today it is even covered by many insurance policies.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a healing art that originated in ancient China, with documents describing it dating back to the first century BCE. Traditional theory centers on the flow of “Qi” energy through pathways called meridians, each corresponding to particular organs, and most cataloguing systems count roughly three hundred fifty to four hundred acupuncture points. According to Chinese medicine, illness arises from an imbalance in the flow of Qi, and the practitioner inserts very fine needles into specific points to release the blockage. Today medical acupuncture is used mainly to relieve pain alongside other treatments, and it is also covered by many insurance policies.

How does acupuncture work?

There are two main approaches to understanding how this ancient method works. The traditional approach describes the treatment in terms of Qi energy and meridians, holding that the practitioner’s role is to remove blockages and restore a healthy flow of Qi. The scientific approach offers a different explanation: in the 1970s endorphins were identified as chemicals that relieve pain, and research shows that properly performed acupuncture may trigger their release and ease pain or even nausea, although the exact mechanism is not known. Part of the scientific community remains skeptical of the treatment’s effectiveness, mainly because studies are hard to compare: different practitioners use different numbers of points and sessions, and patients’ beliefs about their practitioner may affect the measured outcome.

Does acupuncture help with pain?

Acupuncture has been tried and studied for a wide range of pain types, from menstrual cramps and tennis elbow to neck pain and muscular discomfort. Its effectiveness has been examined worldwide, with some studies pointing to significant symptom improvement and others showing only slight improvement, which is why the US National Institutes of Health has called for further research to confirm the extent of benefit for various conditions.

Acupuncture as complementary medicine

When acupuncture is used alongside standard medications and treatments rather than in place of them, it is considered a form of complementary medicine: some studies suggest the combination helps patients manage with less medication, while others find it improves outcomes when given alongside conventional care. Alongside acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine includes additional methods, among them bloodletting, cupping, tai chi, qigong, Shiatsu and Tuina, and Shai Davids combines these according to each patient’s needs, at his clinics in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan.

Does acupuncture treatment hurt?

The needles used in acupuncture are tiny and very thin, and most patients feel only a mild sensation, or nothing at all, when they are inserted. Many people have a fear of needles, mostly from experience with vaccination or blood-draw needles, but the fine needles used in acupuncture are completely different: they are thin and not hollow. You can rest assured that acupuncture, when performed properly, is a comfortable and tolerable treatment for most people.

Does acupuncture help with lower back pain?

Lower back pain is one of the most common sources of chronic pain, and treatment today usually involves physiotherapy, medication, and in the worst cases surgery. Researchers who compared different reviews found that acupuncture improves both pain and function in the lower back, but the findings depend heavily on whether the pain is acute and recent or chronic and ongoing. Patients with acute pain responded similarly whether the acupuncture was performed precisely at the correct points or not, a finding that shows how complex this subject is to research.

Does Chinese medicine help with tension and migraines?

Headaches are a frequent frustration, and some studies suggest that acupuncture or Tuina massage can provide effective, if temporary, relief for chronic tension headaches. For migraines, researchers concluded that needle treatment can be effective even when the needles are not placed exactly at traditional acupuncture points, and sometimes shows a stronger effect than conventional medication, with fewer side effects.

Does acupuncture help treat fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a common type of chronic pain that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, and it occurs roughly four times more often in women. At least a fifth of those affected try acupuncture at some point, and large studies have found that the observed results justify the use of the method.

Does acupuncture help with carpal tunnel syndrome?

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by inflammation of the wrist’s median nerve, often experience pain and numbness in the fingers and a weaker thumb. Research reviewed by the US National Institutes of Health found that some patients report benefit from acupuncture, but its exact effectiveness has not yet been conclusively proven scientifically.

Does acupuncture help relieve nausea?

Findings on acupuncture and nausea relief are mixed. One American professional body determined that studies on acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting were not consistent enough, and therefore does not recommend its use, while the US National Institutes of Health described the results as “promising.” Still, no studies have shown lasting relief when treatment was given several days after chemotherapy.

Does complementary medicine help with cancer treatment?

Acupuncture can help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy cope with pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, depression, hot flashes, dry mouth, neuropathy and anxiety, which is why it requires a practitioner experienced in working with cancer patients. That said, the use of acupuncture for cancer symptoms is still being studied, and some trials suggest it works better for relieving vomiting than for reducing nausea; it is always important to talk with your treating physician when choosing the best treatment options.

Does acupuncture improve fertility?

Whether acupuncture can contribute to fertility occupies many researchers, but only a few clear-cut conclusions have emerged from the research so far. Different medical journals report different findings: one study found a possible positive effect on male fertility, along with a hint of benefit in improving IVF outcomes in certain cases.

Does acupuncture help you quit smoking?

Acupuncture is also used to help people trying to quit smoking, but as often happens in research on this topic, findings point in different directions: some one-off studies have shown encouraging clinical results, but there is still no broad scientific consensus on the method’s effectiveness.

Is acupuncture safe for children?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe for children too, provided the practitioner is licensed and qualified and follows recommended safety standards; in practice it is reliable and safe for children when these conditions are met. It is commonly used for issues such as fever, flu, respiratory and digestive problems, pain, ear infections, and attention difficulties.

Is acupuncture a safe treatment?

Acupuncture is generally considered fairly safe, but some risks exist, such as the use of needles that are too long or are not sterile. That is why it is so important to choose an experienced practitioner who studied at a recognized college for about four years and holds a certification in Chinese medicine.

Who should avoid acupuncture?

Acupuncture can be adapted to suit almost everyone, and it is always worth discussing with your physician before starting a new treatment. That said, electro-acupuncture can be problematic for people with a pacemaker, bloodletting is problematic for those taking blood-thinning medication, and pregnant women have certain points that should not be needled.

Does acupuncture really work?

No one can fully explain how inserting fine needles under the skin leads to a health benefit, yet clinical results show again and again that the treatment works for many patients. Scientists call this an unresolved “mechanism”: sometimes supporters of the method explain it through endorphins, and sometimes through traditional terms like meridians or life energy, but beyond these there is still no final scientific explanation for the source of the effect.

Are there side effects to acupuncture treatment?

Occasionally, after an acupuncture treatment, mild and temporary side effects can appear:

• Mild, passing sensitivity at the treatment site, soon replaced by a feeling of relief
• A small local bruise, if the needle touches a tiny blood vessel; the mark fades quickly
• Mild itching at the site where the needle was inserted
• A feeling of weakness when treated on an empty stomach, so it is best to arrive after a light meal

To schedule a treatment

In summary, acupuncture can help with a wide range of conditions, and it is considered safe when given by a licensed, experienced practitioner. If you have further questions, or want to understand whether acupuncture can help your particular situation, you are welcome to contact Shai Davids at the clinics in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan. Click here to schedule an appointment.