Fertility & Hormonal Health
Reduction of blood flow impedance in the uterine arteries of infertile women with electro-acupuncture.
Stener-Victorin E, et al Hum Reprod 1996; 11:1314-1317., Human Reproduction
A Pilot Study Evaluating the Combination of Acupuncture with Sildenafil on Endometrial Thickness
Yu W et.al. Presented at the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Annual Conference 2007
Acupuncture & IVF Poor Responders: A Cure?
Magarelli P, Cridennda D. Fertil Steril, 2004;81(Supplement 3):S20, Fertility and Sterility
The relationship between perceived stress, acupuncture, and pregnancy rates among IVF patients: A pilot study
Balk J et al, Compl Therapies in Clinical Practice 2010,16,154–157, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality
Siterman S et al Arch Androl. 1997 Sep-Oct;39(2):155-61, Archives of Andrology
Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count? A pilot study
Siterman S et al Andrologia. 2000 Jan;32(1):31-9., Andrologia
Effects of acupuncture and moxa treatment in patients with semen abnormalities
Gurfinkel E et al Asian J Androl. 2003 Dec;5(4):345-8., Asian Journal of Andrology
Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization: systematic review and meta-analysis
Manheimer E et al. BMJ 2008;336 pg 545-549, British Medical Journal
Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: A systematic review
Ried K, Stuart K. Complement Ther Med (2011), article in press Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Acupuncture Combined with Medicine Effects on Outcomes of Patients with Endometriosis Who Accepted IVF-ET
Yu Xiao-Li et al, Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2010 Vol 4 Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Effect of Quyu Jiedu Granule on Microenvironment of Ova in Patients with Endometriosis
Lian Fang et al, Chin J Integr Med 2009 Feb;15(1):42-46, Chinese Journal of Integrated Medicine
Clinical Observations on the Treatment of Endometriosis by Combined Acupuncture and Herbs
Fu Yu and Xia Tian, Shanghai Jnl Acup Moxa, 2005, Vol. 3 Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Effects of electroacupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Stener Victorin E et al, Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2000; 79: 180–188 Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Functions in Rats with Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effects of Low-Frequency Electro-Acupuncture
Yi Feng et al, PLoS One. 2009; 4(8): e6638., PLoS One
Acupuncture in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Experimental and Clinical Evidence
Stener-Victorin E et al, Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2008, 20 (3) , 290–298 Journal of Neuroendocrinology
Low-frequency electroacupuncture and physical exercise decrease high muscle sympathetic nerve activity in polycystic ovary syndrome
Stener Victorin E et al Am J Physiol 2009 Aug;297(2):R387-95. American Journal of Physiology
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial
Smith C., Crowther C., Beilby J. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia. Birth 2002 Mar;29(1):1-9.
In this blinded, randomized, controlled trial, women up to 14 weeks pregnant with symptoms of nausea and/or vomiting were placed into 4 groups: traditional acupuncture, 1 point acupuncture (P6), sham acupuncture, and a control group with no acupuncture. The women were treated weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. All groups had a reduction of symptoms over time, and the women with traditional acupuncture and 1 point acupuncture had more significant relief of symptoms from the first week of treatment.
Acupuncture for low back pain in pregnancy
Guerreiro da Silva JB, Nakamura MU, Cordeiro JA, Kulay L Jr. Medicine School of São, José do Rio Preto, Brazil. Acupuncture in Medicine 2004 Jun;22(2):60-7.
This prospective study followed 2 groups of women with lower back pain in pregnancy for 8 weeks, and measured pain scales, activities of daily living, ability to work, and to walk. The group receiving acupuncture showed a larger decrease of pain at the end of the study, and lower maximum pain at each check-in than the control group.
Acupuncture plus moxibustion to resolve breech presentation: a randomized controlled study.
Neri I, Airola G, Contu G, Allais G, Facchinetti F, Benedetto C. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena-Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine 2004 Apr;15(4):247-52.
This randomized, controlled study followed women at 33-35 weeks of pregnancy with breech presentation. The treatment group received moxibustion with moxa on the acupuncture point UB67, and the controlled group were observed through delivery. The treatment group had clinically significant lower numbers of cephalic versions, and therefore the results of this study show that moxibustion is effective at resolving a breech presentation.
Acupuncture for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term–a randomized controlled trial.
Rabl M, Ahner R, Bitschnau M, Zeisler H, Husslein P.Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Austria. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2001 Dec 17;113(23-24):942-6.
In this randomized, controlled study, a group of women at their due date, not in labor and less than 3cm dilated were split into 2 groups to look at cervical ripening. The treatment group received 2 acupuncture (LI4 and SP6) points every other day for up to 10 days. The treatment group showed shorter time between cervical ripening and delivery, showing acupuncture to be helpful in cervical ripening.
Acupuncture Treatment as Breastfeeding Support: Preliminary Data.
Isabella Neri, Gianni Allais, Valentina Vaccaro, Simona Minniti, Gisella Airola, Paola Schiapparelli, Chiara Benedetto, and Fabio Facchinetti. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. February 2011, 17(2): 133-137.
This randomized, controlled study looked at the efficacy of biweekly acupuncture treatments with successful breastfeeding. Women received acupuncture twice weekly for 3 weeks, and were interviewed at 3 weeks and 3 months postpartum. At both intervals, the treatment grouped showed significantly more women breastfeeding.
Pain, Orthopedics & Neurology
Acupuncture’s analgesic effect on tennis elbow pain.
Molsberger A, Hille E; British Journal of Rheumatology, 1994 Dec, 33(12):1162-5
Treating chronic mechanical neck pain with acupuncture vs. placebo.
White P., et al. Complementary Medicine Research Unit, Mail Primary Medical Care, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Acupuncture for managing myofascial pain and headache.
Audette, JF and Blinder, RA. Current Pain and Headache Reports 7(5):395-401
Acupuncture in the treatment of severe osteoarthrosis: a randomized controlled trial.
Christensen BV, et al. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 1992, 36(6):519-25.
The acupuncture treatment of low back pain: a randomized controlled study.
Coan RM, et al. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1980 Spring-Summer; 9(1-2): 181-9
Efficacy of electroacupuncture and TENS in the rehabilitation of chronic low back pain patients.
Lehmann TR, et al. Pain. 1986 Sep, 277-90
Treating Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain with Acupuncture vs. Placebo
White P., et al. Complementary Medicine Research Unit, Mail Primary Medical Care, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Practical Application of Meridian Acupuncture Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Beppu S, et al. Anesthesia and Pain Control in Dentistry, 1992 Spring, 1(2):103-8.
Acupuncture for Facial Nerve Paralysis: A randomized controlled trial
Xing W, et al. Che Tzu Yen Chiu Acupuncture Research, 1994, 19(2):8-10.
Hypothetical aspects of the preventive effectiveness of controlled reflex and stimulation therapy in migraine.
Heydenreich A. et al. Psychiatrie, Neurologie und Medizinische Psychologie, 1990 Aug, 42(8):500-7.
Cancer Support & Adjunct Care
Acupuncture mechanisms of action and treatment effects have been studied extensively. We now have a rich body of evidence on the effects of:
- Acupuncture on immune function.
- Acupuncture on cancer pain.
- Acupuncture on cancer-treatment side-effects.
The National Cancer Institute has compiled a more exhaustive and well-organized review of the literature than we could hope to provide here. Please visit www.cancer.gov for the details.
Mental Health, Sleep & Detoxification
Acupuncture for Depression During Pregnancy: A Randomized Control Trial
Rachel Manber, PhD et al American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2010, Vol. 115.
Review of herbs for improving cognitive function.
Howes, MJ and Houghton, PJ. Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 75(3):513-27
Effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia.
Sok, SR et al. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 44(4):375-84.
Effects of acupuncture treatment on depression insomnia
Chen YF et al, Trials. 2013 Jan 3;14:2. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-2.
Digestion, Immunity & More
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial.
Brinkhaus B et al, Allergy 2004, Sept. 953-960
The effect of two Chinese herbal medicinal formulae vs. placebo controls for treatment of allergic rhinitis: a randomized control trial
Chan and Chie, Trials 2014, 15:261
Repeated Acupuncture Affects Leukocyte Circulation in Healthy Young Males
Kou W, et al. Department of Medical Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.
Preventive and Curative Effects of Acupuncture on the Common Cold
Kawakita K, et al Japan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Center, 3-44-14 Minami otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0005, Japan.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Childhood Persistent Allergic Rhinitis
Ng DK, et al. Department of Paediatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Rd, Kowloon, SAR, Hong Kong.
Electroacupuncture at ST-36 Stimulates Colonic Motility and Transit in Conscious Rats
Iwa M, Matsushima M, et al., Department of Surgery, Duke University and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Meiji University of Oriental Medicine, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan.
Stimulation of P6 for Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Lee A, Done M. et al. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, HONG KONG.
Smoking Cessation
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of acupoint stimulation on smoking cessation.
Cheng HM, et al. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 2012; 40(3):429-42.
Alternative smoking cessation aids: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Tahiri M, American Journal of Medicine, 2012; 125(6):576-84.
